Caribbean

¿Cuánto sabes de…?

Puerto Rico

¿Dónde está Puerto Rico?

What languages are spoken in Puerto Rico?

Spanish - ~ 90%

Doh!

Other language: English

English and Spanish have been official languages since 1902.

English is taught from first through twelfth grade.

50% of all Puerto Ricans over the age of 5 speak English and Spanish.

85% of Post -Secondary school students speak English and Spanish.

Federal courts and agencies use English.

Local governmental affairs are conducted in English and Spanish.

English is the language of Commerce.

http://www.puertorico-herald.org/PuertoRicoataGlance.shtml

What is the capital city?

San Juan

Wow! That’s a lot! (population 1.4 million – over a third of the entire population of the island!)

Interesting Facts

Continue on to find the answers to the following questions:

What is the unit of currency?

What is El Morro ?

What is Arecibo known for ?

What is salsa ?

Describe Puerto Rico’s political status.

The U.S. Dollar

What is El Morro ?

El Morro Fortress built in the early 1600s “ El Morro's main mission was to protect San Juan against sea attacks. Four tiers of batteries blasted enemy warships attempting to enter the harbor. If the ships got as far as the entrance of the bay, cannon fire was used to break the waterline planking of vessels.” http://www.baker-design.com/html/pr_elmorro.htm

What is Arecibo famous for?

Arecibo Observatory

The largest radiotelescope in the world – it covers an area of about 20 acres.

“ The Observatory is recognized as one of the most important national centers for research in radio astronomy, planetary radar and terrestrial aeronomy.”

http:// www.naic.edu/open.htm

What is salsa ?

Salsa Gotcha!

Salsa “ Salsa was born between the late 1800's and early 1900's. It's a blend of several Caribbean rhythmic and musical styles: Rumba, Son montuno, Conga , Guaracha, Mambo, Chachacha and others. This musical mixture is due to the contributions of diverse cultures, particularly the African and European cultural influences, which found fertile ground in the Caribbean region. . The African population played a key role in the musical,and economic, development of this new frontier.” http://www.salsaplanet.net/e_Salsaorigini2.html

Salsa Here are some of the various instruments used in salsa music. http://www.salsa-merengue.co.uk/revealit/glosbins.html g üiro

Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico: The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

Local self-governing territory under the US constitution.

They can't vote for the president.

Puerto Ricans have been statutory US citizens since 1917.

They receive lower levels of federal benefits but don't pay federal income taxes.

Their future US citizenship and nationality is not guaranteed.

http://www.puertorico-herald.org/PuertoRicoataGlance.shtml

Federal courts and agencies operate in Puerto Rico in the same manner as the 50 states.

CUBA

¿Dónde está Cuba?

What languages are spoken in Cuba?

Spanish - ~ 100%

Doh!

Havana

(population 2.3 million – almost a quarter of the entire population of the island!)

Interesting Facts

Describe the Ballet Nacional de Cuba.

What are the primary exports ?

Who were the ta ínos ?

Who is Celia Cruz?

El peso cubano

Describe the Ballet Nacional de Cuba.

Founded in 1948 by Alicia Alonso. Operates a School of Dance. The Dance Museum opened on the 50 th anniversary of the Ballet. “ The National Ballet of Cuba (...) because of its energy and ability to combine classics with contemporary is placed today in one of the first places among the ballet companies of Europe and America. Its future is attractive in a peculiar way.” http:// www.balletcuba.cu/ingles/criticasing.asp

What is are the primary exports?

Exports sugar cane tobacco nickel http:// www.cepec.softcal.cu/ingles/information/information.htm Russia China Canada Spain Venezuela Main trading partners

Who were the taínos ?

Los ta ínos

Indigenous tribe that inhabited many Caribbean islands before the arrival of Columbus. Ta ínos still live in the region.

“ Ta íno” means “good” in the language.

The traditional Taíno greeting is “Taíno-ti’,” which means, “May the Good Great Spirit be with you.” http://www.taino-tribe.org/tedict.html

The hummingbird is the sacred symbol of the Ta íno people and represents their rebirth. http://www.hartford-hwp.com/Taino/photos/bird.html

Who is Celia Cruz?

La Reina de la Salsa

Sold first recording in 1951

Emigrated to the U.S. in 1960

Has won many awards, such as two Grammy Awards (1990 and 2000), a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Smithsonian Institution, and a “National Medal of the Arts from President Clinton. http:// www.celiacruzonline.com /

Dominican Republic

¿Dónde está La Republica Dominicana?

Santo Domingo

(the largest city of the island!)

Interesting Facts

What is national sport ?

What is merengue ?

El peso dominicano The US dollar is also widely accepted in most tourist locations

What is the national sport?

BASEBALL After the United States, the Dominican Republic has the second-highest number of baseball players in the U.S. Major League Baseball. These players, some of them regarded as some of the best in the game.