As the team prepares to leave for Puerto Rico to help with construction to rebuild homes destroyed by Hurricane Maria in September 2017, anticipation runs high as they head to a place never visited before and doing work that has yet to be assigned.  What is Puerto Rico like and what will they experience?

About Puerto Rico

• Founded: Dec 10, 1898
• Population: 3.34 million (2017)
• Area: 3,515 sq miles – about the size of Rhode Island
• Unincorporated territory of the United States
• Located in the northeast Caribbean Sea, approximately 1,000 miles (1,600 km) southeast of Miami, Florida.
• Capital and most populous city is San Juan
• Language: Spanish and English although Spanish predominates

History of Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico, which means rich port, was colonized by Spain after the arrival of Christopher Columbus and remained a colony of Spain for four centuries.  “The island’s cultural and demographic landscapes were shaped by the displacement and assimilation of the native population ( indigenous Taíno people), the forced migration of African slaves, and settlement from the Canary Islands and Andalusia.”  ” In 1898, following the Spanish–American War, the United States acquired Puerto Rico under the terms of the Treaty of Paris.”  Since 1917, Puerto Ricans have been citizens of the United States and have been allowed to travel freely between the US and Puerto Rico.  In fact, by November following Hurricane Maria in 2017, 200,000 Puerto Ricans moved to the mainland, many to Florida, because the devastation on the island was so extensive.

Although citizens of the US, the people of Puerto Rico do not have voting representation in Congress, in either the Senate or House of Representatives, however do have one non-voting representative in the House called a Resident Commissioner.  The people of Puerto Rico are disenfranchised at the national level, they do not vote for President/Vice President, and do not pay federal income taxes on Puerto Rican income.

By 2017 Puerto Rico experienced an economic crisis with $70 billion in debt, 12.4% unemployment and 45% poverty rate, and then was slammed by Hurricane Maria in September 2017.

Climate in Puerto Rico

Patillas, Puerto Rico – south side of island.

The climate in Puerto Rico is classified as a tropical (marine) rainforest.  In fact, one region in the northeast of the island, east of San Juan, has tropical forests with native orchid plants.  “Temperatures are warm to hot year round, averaging near 85 °F (29 °C) in lower elevations and 70 °F (21 °C) in the mountains. Easterly trade winds pass across the island year round.  Puerto Rico has a rainy season which stretches from April into November.”  The mission team, based on the south side of the island will experience temperatures between the low 70’s and low 80’s.  Depending on location, the team may experience a little rain as the island receives almost 4″ of rain during the month.  An inter-mountain area on the west, central side of the island even tends to be dry.  It will be more humid that here at home.  As a result, when not in work clothes, team members will enjoy dressing in summer clothes.

Information courtesy of Wikipedia.

Next blog post: Anticipating Departure