Puerto Rico Government

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The U.S. Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is the largest net energy importer in the Caribbean basin. Over the past several years, the government has supported significant new energy projects in order to diversify the commonwealth's energy mix. ... [Read More]

CIA - The World Factbook -- Puerto Rico
none (commonwealth associated with the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 78 municipalities (municipios, singular - municipio) at the second order; Adjuntas, Aguada, Aguadilla, Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Anasco, Arecibo, Arroyo, Barceloneta, Barranquitas, Bayamon, Cabo Rojo, Caguas, Camuy, Canovanas, Carolina, Catano, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales, Cidra, Coamo, Comerio, Corozal, Culebra, Dorado, Fajardo, Florida, Guanica, Guayama, Guayanilla, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Hatillo, Hormigueros, Humacao, Isabela, Jayuya, Juana Diaz, Juncos, Lajas, Lares, Las Marias, Las Piedras, Loiza, Luquillo, Manati, Maricao, Maunabo, Mayaguez, Moca, Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Patillas, Penuelas, Ponce, Quebradillas, Rincon, Rio Grande, Sabana Grande, Salinas, San German, San Juan, San Lorenzo, San Sebastian, Santa Isabel, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Utuado, Vega Alta, Vega Baja, Vieques, Villalba, Yabucoa, Yauco ... [Read More]

Population Estimates by Puerto Rico Municipios
The Census Bureau publishes estimates of total population and demographic components of change (births, deaths, and migration) for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its 78 municipios. A municipio is the government unit that is the primary legal subdivision of Puerto Rico; the Census Bureau treats the municipio as the statistical equivalent of a county. The reference date for Puerto Rico estimates is July 1. ... [Read More]

Puerto Rico in 1898
Between 1869 and 1873, the establishment of a liberal government in Spain led to ample libertiesin the Caribbean, including the rights of Cubans and Puerto Ricans to send representatives to theSpanish Cortes. The liberal reforms extended to the island, to include the status ofDiputación Provincial (making the island a Province of Spain), and paved the way for theestablishment of the first national political parties. While the pro-independence movementremained disbanded and most of its leadership was still in exile, conservative and liberal factionstook over the local political arena, leading to a more open debate on the political status and socialdemands of the times. The conservative faction, mostly represented by "peninsulares",favored a continuation of the status quo that would maintain the local government underhand-picked Captain Generals ruling by decree, and favored slavery, as well as all the privilegesuntil then given to the predominantly Spanish ruling class. ... [Read More]

Military Government in Puerto Rico
General Guy Henry succeeded General Brooke and he also affectedgovernment and life in Puerto Rico significantly. At a meeting with representatives from varioustowns and the Insular Council, Henry announced his program to improve sanitation and schoolsystems, and revise election standards to accomodate lower levels of literacy. His attemptedcurbs on freedom of the press provoked conflicts between the military government and islandnewspapers whenever critics of the government were threatened and censored. During histenure the Insular Council lost the autonomous powers granted it by the Constitution of 1897. Healso abolished taxes on meat and bread while decreeing higher imposts on alcohol and tobacco.He also suspended foreclosures for one year, a controversial measure in an place so dependenton land as capital. In May 1899, General Henry requested to berecalled; he was succeeded by Brigadier General George W. Davis. ... [Read More]

International Taxpayer - Puerto Rico
If you are a U.S. citizen and also a resident of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for the entire tax year, you generally must include income from worldwide sources on your Puerto Rican return. Wages and cost-of-living allowances paid by the U.S. Government for working in Puerto Rico are subject to Puerto Rican tax. Advice about possible tax benefits under the Puerto Rican investment incentive programs is available from the Puerto Rican tax authorities. If you report U.S. source income on your Puerto Rican tax return, you can claim a credit against your Puerto Rican tax, up to the amount allowable, for income taxes paid to the United States. ... [Read More]

CIA - The World Factbook -- Puerto Rico
head of government: Governor Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA (since 2 January 2005) ...

Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following Columbus' second voyage to the Americas. In 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and African slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917. Popularly-elected governors have served since 1948. In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for internal self government. In plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and 1998, voters chose to retain commonwealth status. ... [Read More]

Puerto Rico
In 1809, Puerto Rico was recognized as an overseas province with the right tosend representatives to the Spanish government. Political unrest characterizedthis era and, in 1868, a small group of landowners in Lares rose up in armsagainst Spain. The uprising was quickly put down, and is now commemorated as"El Grito de Lares." In 1897, Puerto Rico was granted a Letter ofAutonomy from Spain, allowing it to enter into free commerce with the UnitedStates and European colonies. In 1898, as a result of the Spanish-American War,Puerto Rico became a territory of the United States. Legend has it that in1898--just before the last Spanish governor of Puerto Rico surrendered to theU.S. troops at the end of the Spanish-American War--he took a last look at LaFortaleza's (the executive mansion) grandfather clock and hit it dramaticallywith his sword, thus stopping it at the exact moment the Spanish lost power overPuerto Rico. ... [Read More]

Chronology--Puerto Rico
The Spanish government, through French Ambassador in Washington Jules Cambon , forwarded a message to President McKinley asking for hostilities to be suspended and the start of negotiations to end the war. Spanish Minister of State Duque de Almodóvar del Río (Juan Manuel Sánchez y Gutiérrez de Castro), Spanish Minister of State, had wired the Spanish Ambassador in Paris charging him to negotiate the suspension, through the French Government, as a preliminary measure to final negotiations for pleace. ... [Read More]

ECONOMIC CENSUS OF PUERTO RICO
The Government of Puerto Rico uses estimates to benchmark and weight indexes of industrial production and productivity. Local governments use census data to assess business activities within their jurisdiction and to estimate the size and composition of economic sectors. The private sector uses the data to forecast general economic conditions. SPECIAL FEATURES ...

Censuses are conducted using the mailout/mailback methodology. In censuses prior to 1997, personal interviews were conducted to obtain data for establishments. A Memorandum of Agreement between the Census Bureau and the Government of Puerto Rico outlines the conditions under which the censuses are conducted. The Government of Puerto Rico provides input to the census content and helps with publicity. ... [Read More]