Puer·to Ri·co (pw r t r  k , pôrt, prt, pwrt) Abbr. PR or P.R. A self-governing island commonwealth of the United States in the Caribbean Sea east of Hispaniola. Inhabited by Tainos when it was discovered by Columbus in 1493, it was colonized by the Spanish in the 16th century and ceded to the United States in 1898 after the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted U.S. citizenship in 1917, although residents of the island do not vote in U.S. presidential elections. Commonwealth status was proclaimed in 1952 and has been upheld by various plebiscites since the 1960s. San Juan is the capital and the largest city. Population: 3,940,000. Puer to Rican adj. & n. |
Puerto Rico [ˈpwɜːtəʊ ˈriːkəʊ ˈpwɛə-]
n
(Placename) an autonomous commonwealth (in association with the US) occupying the smallest and easternmost of the Greater Antilles in the Caribbean: one of the most densely populated areas in the world; ceded by Spain to the US in 1899. Currency: US dollar. Capital: San Juan. Pop.: 3 829 000 (2001 est.). Area: 9104 sq. km (3515 sq. miles) Former name (until 1932) Porto Rico Abbreviation PR
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  Puerto Rico - a self-governing commonwealth associated with the United States occupying the island of Puerto RicoCaribbean - region including the Caribbean Islands Greater Antilles - a group of islands in the western West Indies Porto Rico, Puerto Rico - the smallest and easternmost of the Greater Antilles in the Caribbean San Juan - the capital and largest city of Puerto Rico Culebra - a small island off the coast of Puerto Rico with miles of beautiful beaches Vieques - a small island off the coast of Puerto Rico used for target practice by the United States Navy |
| 2. | Puerto Rico - the smallest and easternmost of the Greater Antilles in the Caribbean Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Porto Rico, Puerto Rico, PR - a self-governing commonwealth associated with the United States occupying the island of Puerto Rico |
Translations
Puerto Rico
n → Puerto Rico nt
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