El Yunque

Sometimes referred to as the Caribbean National Forest, the El Yunque National Rainforest, or simply El Yunque, this lush expanse is the only tropical forest in the U.S. National Forest System. It features 28,000 acres of lush, tropical vegetation and it is the rainiest of all the National Forests, raining on average of four times a day. Annually, the park can receive more than 200 inches of rainfall per year, especially at the highest elevations of the Luquillo Mountains. Dominating the landscape here, these beautiful peaks soar above the forest canopy to more than 3,500 feet above sea level.

The Caribbean National Forest, or El Yunque, was set aside as a reserve by the Spanish in 1876 making it one of the oldest protected forests in the northern hemisphere. The forest became part of the USDA system in 1903, and it remains the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. National Forest System. The forest reserve contains more than 23 miles of well-maintained trails.

The rainforest features over 225 tree species, innumerable fern, epiphyte, and vine species, at least 16 amphibian species, 20 known reptile species, 11 native mammal species, 5 introduced (exotic) mammal species, and a combination of approximately 80 endemic, native, winter and summer migrant avian species.

Puerto Rico

With endless sand, swashbuckling history and wildly diverse tropical terrain, locals call this sun-washed medley of Spanish and American influences the 'Island of Enchantment.' To us people of the contiguous United States, we call it the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The island of Puerto Rico is 108 miles long and 40 miles wide. The islands of Puerto Rico also include the sub-continental lands of Vieques, Culebra and Mona.

On May 12, 1898 a squadron of 12 U.S. ships bombarded the island of San Juan. Thereafter, 16,000 American troops came ashore and met with Spanish resistance. The Treaty of Paris (Dec. 10, 1898), which ended the Spanish-American War and Puerto Rico was ceded to the United States. It wasn't until 1917 the Jones Act stipulated that Puerto Rico was a U.S. territory whose inhabitants were entitled to U.S. citizenship.

Bronze sculpture of the Plazuela de La Rogativa

 The English also tried to take control of Puerto Rico. In April 30, 1797 the townswomen formed a religious procession (Rogativa) to march through the streets with their Bishop, praying for the deliverance of the city. Outside the walls the British invaders mistook the torchlight movement (the torches appeared to be swords in the shadows) for the arrival of Spanish troops to defend the city, and in the morning the British army had fled the Bay.

When visiting Puerto Rico, one can't miss visiting El Morro. San Juan was the pit stop for military ships coming from Spain to the Americas. Because San Juan was such a rich port, it was subject to foreign attacks, which led to the building of Fort San Felipe del Morro, or El Morro. Construction of this masterpiece of military spender started in 1540 and it took 250 years to take its present form of six levels, reaching a height of 140 feet and equipped walls up to 20 feet thick.

 

Sentry Box

Old San Juan is located in the east end of Puerto Rico and is united to the mainland of Puerto Rico by three bridges. This is the oldest settlement in Puerto Rico and the historic colonial section of San Juan. It is estimated that there are at least 400 structures of historic value in Old San Juan, including some of the finest examples of Spanish colonial architecture in the New World. Old San Juan was Spain's major center of commerce and military power in the West Indies for nearly four centuries. Narrow winding cobblestone streets and the pastel-colored, tile-roofed buildings with ornate balconies and heavy wooden doors that open onto inner courtyards in the style of Andalusia in southern Spain. 

Spain ordered that the city be protected by sandstone walls and massive fortresses, since the island was the first port of call for galleons entering the West Indies and the last safe harbor for ships, laden with treasures, making the return trip to Cadíz or Seville.