Although Puerto Rico officially is a US territory, it’s kind of its own country, with a distinct culture and identity. It’s a Caribbean island with around 3 million people who speak English or Spanish or both. They can move freely back and forth from the US, but don’t usually vote or pay federal taxes. The name is Spanish for ‘rich port’.
Only five of the islands are inhabited, and there are over 50 natural rivers and 17 manmade lakes (our Norfolk and Suffolk broads are also manmade, they still support birds and native wildlife). Climate change is affecting Puerto Rico greatly, especially as it has little green energy of its own, so imports fossil fuels.
Climate change is also affecting its many birds and mammals, along with its national symbol the coquí (a small frog which lives in a tropical rainforest). The country is also home to the endangered Puerto Rican amazon bird (which has suffered through lack of habitat, hunting and being sold for the pet industry).
Well-known Puerto Rican celebrities are actor Benicio del Toro, actress Jennifer Lopez, singer Ricky Martin and our favourite Joaquin Phoenix (a wonderful actor and campaigner on animal welfare).
