Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (commonwealth associated with the US)
Flag description:
five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating
with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears
a large, white, five-pointed star in the center; design initially
influenced by the US flag, but similar to the Cuban flag, with the
colors of the bands and triangle reversed
Economy Puerto Rico
Economy - overview:
Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean
region. A diverse industrial sector has far surpassed agriculture as
the primary locus of economic activity and income. Encouraged by
duty-free access to the US and by tax incentives, US firms have
invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s. US minimum wage
laws apply. Sugar production has lost out to dairy production and
other livestock products as the main source of income in the
agricultural sector. Tourism has traditionally been an important
source of income, with estimated arrivals of nearly 5 million
tourists in 1999. Growth fell off in 2001-03, largely due to the
slowdown in the US economy, and has recovered in 2004.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$68.95 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.7% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $17,700 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 45% services: 54% (2002 est.)
Labor force:
1.3 million (2000)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 3%, industry 20%, services 77% (2000 est.)