Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Although Puerto Rico shares many characteristics with other Caribbean nations in its
food, ethnicity and general laid-back ambience, Spanish colonial and more recent Americ-
an influences have lent the island certain distinct traits. Despite its close historical and cul-
tural ties to Cuba and the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico has easily outpaced its former
colonial cousins economically, thanks in part to over a century of US aid. As a result, the
island has become the most modern in the Caribbean with high-rises, heavy traffic and a
high percentage of American tourists.
