Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region. Plantation sugar production dominated Puerto Rico's economy until the 1940s. Industry has surpassed agriculture as the primary sector of economic activity and income. Encouraged by duty free access to the U.S. and by tax incentives, U.S. firms have invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s (U.S. minimum wage laws apply). As a result, Puerto Rico's export and import has prospered, nearly doubled between fiscal years 1987 and 1997. Recently the economy has suffered budget cuts from U.S. The Puerto Rican economy has depended heavily on the tax incentives given to U.S. mainland companies and on federal transfers. In 1993, President Clinton aimed to cut the Section 936 tax exemption for U.S. companies and introduced legislation to Congress to replace it with a more modest tax credit linked to wages paid by those companies in Puerto Rico rather than to profits. It is estimated that 100,000 Puerto Ricans were employed by companies operating under Section 936 (of which 23,000 are in pharmaceuticals) and another 200,000 are indirectly employed. In President Clinton's 1998 budget submission to Congress, proposed that existing Section 30A of the tax code be made permanent to provide an estimated U.S. $417mn a year in tax incentives to compensate for the phasing out of Section 936. Section 30A allows companies to claim 60% of wages and capital investment as allowances against tax. New firms may opt to incorporate themselves in Puerto Rico as "controlled foreign corporations" and receive the tax benefits provided by Section 901 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Puerto Rico's government aims to make up for the 936 loss by providing new local incentives, cutting taxes and encouraging economic development in other industries. On the other hand, the agreement between the U.S., Canada and Mexico for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) also has implications for Puerto Rico because of competition for jobs and investment. Although wage levels are lower in Mexico, Section 30A gives companies in Puerto Rico an advantage in pharmaceuticals and hi-tech industries. In low-skill labor-intensive manufacturing, such as clothing and footwear, Mexico has the advantage. Puerto Rico currently employs 30,000 in the clothing industry. By some economists Puerto Rico's economy is considered somewhat fictitious. Puerto Rico has very few natural resources of economic value and its economy relies mainly on Federal Aid from the United States Government, which depends on the industrialization programs and the tax incentives that U.S. offers. Economists believe that reinstating IRS Section 936 or making IRS Section 30A permanent for U.S. firms operating in Puerto Rico is not the best way to stimulate sustainable development on the island. Important industries include pharmaceuticals, electronics, textiles, petrochemicals, processed foods, clothing and textiles. Sugar production has lost out to dairy production and other livestock products as the main source of income in the agricultural sector. The principal livestock are cattle, pigs and poultry. Tourism has traditionally been an important source of income for the island, with estimated arrivals of nearly 3.9 million tourists in 1993, and a 7% of the Island's GNP, the tourism industry employees over 60,000 people. The main government expenditures are on health, education and welfare. Duties on imports from countries outside the U.S. tariff wall are collected at Puerto Rico's borders but sent to the Puerto Rico Treasury, not the U.S. Treasury. Currency:United States dollar (US$)

No. No matter where you live in America it is legal to record a conversation you have with anybody, at anytime. People believe it is "illegal" because it cannot be used in courts unless the party being recorded agree's to it beforehand. Why? Even though it is legal, you are still infringing on the rights of others, even though it is legal to do so at the moment. * No. Georgia has a one-party consent law. This means that at least one party needs to be aware that the conversation is being recorded. Twelve US states have laws that do not allow the recording of telephone calls under any circumstances.

San Juan is the Capital City of Puerto Rico followed by Ponce which is the cultural center on the South side of the island. Mayaguez follows in importance and Arecibo is the fourth largest city on the island.

There are 78 municipalities and of these most still retain their Taino names. such as:

Mayaguez, Aguada, Arecibo, Jajuya, Humacao, Utuado, Loiza, Caquas, Maunabo etc.

Officially, Puerto Rico celebrates Independence Day on 4 July, just like all other US states and territories.

Well if you're from the United States you can travel to Puerto Rico without a passport. Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory. Travel to and from the Island to another part of the United States is unrestricted.

Las Cucharas.

Luis Fortuno, current Governor.

Anibal Acevedo Vila, 2005-2009.

Sila Calderon, 2001-2005.

Pedro Gonzales, 1993-2001.

Rafael Colon, 1985-1993.

Carlos Barcello, 1977-1985.

Rafae; Colon, 1973-1977.

Luis Ferre, 1969-1973.

There are 100 senators in the US Senate with each state having two.

Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States. Puerto Rico is exactly like any other U.S. State when it pertains to extradition to any other U.S. State.

The Major cities are San Juan ( The Capital),Bayomon, Carolina, Ponce, Mayaguez, and Caguas.

Puerto Rico was colonized by Spain from 1508 to 1898, where Juan Ponce de Leon became its first Governor General. It was later ceded by Spain to the United States after the Treaty of Paris.

Puerto Ricans are US citizens and like any other US citizen if you pay for SS you are entitle to receive benefits.

No. Only US states and the District of Colombia can vote in US elections. Puerto Rico does, however, vote in the Democratic and Republican party primaries.

See the related link below for more explanation:

People who send money through the mail usually send it certified. Also the courts will send out things certified, such as jury duty notices.

The global population in 1999 was about 6 billion (more precisely 5,978,000,000).

More information on other nations and other parts of the world can be found at the following link: http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/sixbillion/sixbilpart1.pdf

It directs you to a United Nations (UN) report. It is only 11 pages and worth checking out.

To get your drivers permit you have to be 16 years old with a parent signature or 18 years old to do it by yourself.

There is no law in Puerto Rico which explicitly prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

In Costa Rica and other latin American countries it is customary that eating 12 grapes at midnight will grant you 12 wishes and/or good luck.

You must be a "natural-born citizen, NOT "native-born". Current U.S. statutes define various categories of individuals born overseas as citizens at birth i.e. natural born, including (for example) all persons "born outside of the United States and its outlying possessions of parents both of whom are citizens of the United States and one of whom has had a residence in the United States or one of its outlying possessions, prior to the birth of such person[s]."

Yes, Puerto Rico has a single nonvoting Resident Commissioner in the US Congress.

The citizens of Puerto Rico are full US citizens as Puerto Rico is a protectorate of the US. They can vote and enter the US as US citizens carry US passports and pay taxes (although much more limited than citizens of states of the US). They enjoy US military protection and follow US federal laws though some local laws can differ. Even though English isn't the legal language of the US it is the defacto official language and they learn it from a young age and a large protion of buisness in Puerto Rico is conducted in English.

It does not have a Prime Minister but is led by Governor Luis Fortuno.
As a US Territory, matters of State are handled by the State Department. The internal affairs are taken care of by the Governor.

The first governor of Puerto Rico was Juan Ponce de Leon.