\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPuerto Rican cuisine is simply delicious and is based on a mix of Spanish, Creole and Indian flavours. The most traditional dish is asopao<\/b>, a hearty gumbo made with either chicken or shellfish. Snacks are popular and consist of empanadillas<\/b> (stuffed fried turnovers), sorullitos<\/b> (cheese-stuffed corn sticks),alcapurrias<\/b> (stuffed green-banana croquettes), and bacalaítos<\/b> (codfish fritters). Seafood lovers will enjoy Caribbean lobster, conch, dorado and red snapper<\/b>. Other typical recipes are arroz con pollo<\/b> (chicken with rice), sancocho<\/b> (beef or chicken and tuber soup) and encebollado<\/b> (steak smothered in onions). <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe local vegetables<\/b> usually play a big role in most dishes. Also usually present is the flavourful puree, called Sofrito<\/b>, made with garlic, onion, sweet pepper, coriander, oregano, and tomato. A garlic and oregano rub, adobo<\/b>, is common for meats and fish. Plantains<\/b>, prepared in a multitude of ways, rice and beans<\/b> accompany almost all dishes. Otherwise baked, fried, stuffed, boiled, or mashed sweet potatoes or yuccas<\/b> will be served. <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tDesserts consist of flan, rice pudding and tembleque<\/b> (coconut custard). Tropical fruits, like papaya, pineapple, mango and tamarind<\/b>, are often served with white cheese<\/b> (queso blanco). Wonderful juices and nectars<\/b> are pressed from the many exotic fruits, and they are the basis of many cocktail made with Puerto Rican rum<\/b>. Although the most recognized rum is Bacardi<\/b>, the locals prefer the finer Don Q Rum. Puerto Rican coffee<\/b> is among the best in the world and it is served very strong.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n \n\t\t\t <\/p>\n \n\t\t\tCulture<\/div>\n \n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEverywhere you go, music fills the air day and night. Whether it comes from a jukebox, a radio or a car, locals are sure to be singing or dancing to the beat. Styles vary from Puerto Rican folk songs, to the Bomba, the Plena, the Salsa and the modern Reggaetón<\/b> (a mixture of Reggae, Rap and Hip Hop used to express social, even controversial, opinions). Pop icon Ricky Martin is one of the most famous musicians to come from here. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWonderful pieces of literature<\/b> have come from this island as well, by such writers as Lola Rodriguez de Tio, Evaristo Ribera Chevremont and Rene Marques. A few painters and artists<\/b> have gained international recognitions, most notable are Jose Campeche, Miguel Pou and Ivette Cabrera.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n \n\t\t\t <\/p>\n \n\t\t\tGeography<\/div>\n \n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPuerto Rico is situated between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, and measures 177 km in length and 56 km in width. San Juan is the capital city of the island. One finds a surprising number of topographic differences and microclimates. The mountainous central highlands absorb most of the rain clouds heading south. Therefore, the northern coastal flatlands enjoy a more luxuriant, tropical vegetation; whereas the southern side presents a desert-like terrain with dry forests.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n \n\t\t\t <\/p>\n \n\t\t\tHistory<\/div>\n \n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and African slave labour introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result of the Spanish-American War. This century also received an important wave of immigrants from Europe, South America, and nearby islands. Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917. In 1952, Puerto Rico gained self government rights within the US commonwealth.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n \n\t\t\t <\/p>\n \n\t\t\tNature<\/div>\n \n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLargely accessible trails or more challenging hikes can be found in the many other reserves. The Toro Negro Forest<\/b> takes you 1 112m above sea level, to the top of Pico Dona Juana<\/b>. The highest peak, the Cerro Punta<\/b>, can also be hiked, taking you 1 345m above sea level. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIf you want a unique experience, head to La Parguera in the south or to Mosquito Bay in Vieques for a swim on a moonless night. These bioluminescent bays<\/b> are home to millions of micro-organisms which glow<\/b> when any type of movement occurs. <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tScuba diving and snorkelling are best way to discover the underwater wonders of the sea. The calm waters are teaming withtropical fish, moray eels and octopus<\/b>. Watch them swim among the mangrove cays and coral reefs<\/b>. Different islands of Puerto Rico offer more animal encounters, such as sea turtles, dolphins and huge iguanas<\/b>.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n \n\t\t\t <\/p>\n \n\t\t\tSports<\/div>\n \n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLand sports abound such as hiking, cycling, rock climbing and spelunking<\/b>. There are plenty of volleyball courts<\/b> and more than 100 tennis courts<\/b> to be found. Horseback rides<\/b> on the beach, in the tropical rain forest, or through a coffee plantation are fun options as well. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGolf<\/b> is huge here, with nearly 20 courses on the island, 14 of which are at championship level. Favourite courses include: Hyatt Beach Hotel and Bahia Beach Plantation in San Juan, Club Río Mar in Río Grande, Palmas del Mar in Humacao, Berwind Country Club in Río Grande, Mayagüez Hilton and Cerromar Hotel. <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tLocal enjoys basketball games, cockfighting and horse racing<\/b>, but the national obsession is baseball<\/b>. The island's pro season runs from October to February. Several players have been recruited to major baseball leagues in the US, the most famous being Roberto Clemente.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n \n\t\t\t <\/p>\n | | | | | |
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