Ok, Vol. 2 - 10 Things about Puerto Rico I Bet Ya Didnt Know! 10. Puerto Rico has one of the highest voter turnout rates in the world - 79%. The US mainland, in contrast, had one of the lowest turnouts on record last year, just over 36%. 9. The Tax Man Cometh: Puerto Ricans pay plenty of federal taxes. For example, in 2010, Puerto Rico paid 3.6 billion into the US Treasury - more than Vermont for the same year. 8. At 1000 feet across and 167 feet deep, the giant radio telescope at Arecibo Observatory is the largest in the world. 7. The Puerto Rican flag was outlawed by US well into the 20th century, with imprisonment up to ten years for having it in ones possession. 6. All imported or exported goods between the US are subject to something called Cabotage Laws, a federal dictate that maintains that only the US Merchant Marine may legally transport all goods (rather than directly by freighters). This drives the price up on both imports and exports - some say as much as 40%. 5. The absolutely most awesome little frogs in the world live in PR - the beloved little Coqui. There are actual several varieties of coqui, which are famous for a loud chirpy mating call, and their song is a considered a national symbol. 4. Puerto Rico is home to the only tropical rain forest in the national US forest system. 3. Although it may look like it, the Puerto Rican flag is not based on the American flag. It was modeled after the Cuban Flag in 1895. 2. San Juan is the second oldest European city in the western hemisphere. San Juan was founded in 1508 - the only city older is Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. 1. The Pina Colada was invented in Puerto Rico. ;)
Posted on: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 17:00:57 +0000
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