Puerto Rico is Not a Country [País]
Puerto Rico is Not a Country [País] Does Not Meet Independent Criteria: Puerto Rico is a U.S. Territory By Matt Rosenberg, About.com Guide There are eight accepted criteria used to determine whether an entity is an independent country (also known as a State with a capital "s") or not. Puerto Rico, a small island (approximately 100 miles long and 35 miles wide) territory located in the Caribbean Sea east of the island Hispaniola, has been the home of indigenous peoples for centuries. In 1493, the island was claimed by Spain in 1493 following Columbus' second voyage to the Americas. After 400 years of colonial rule that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and African slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the United States as a result of the Spanish-American War in 1898. Let us now examine the eight criteria of independence in regard to Puerto Rico. 1. Has space or territory that has internationally recognized boundaries (boundary disputes are OK). ...