Population
Puerto Rico is as diverse as the U.S., with various ethnic groups. The ethnic groups in Puerto Rico and the U.S. have differences that distinguish them. Given the geographical location of Puerto Rico, the ethnic groups speak both English and Spanish. Moreover, in Puerto Rico, the ethnic groups are Roman Catholic believers in terms of religious beliefs (Liu et al.). The existence of a common religion and language has led to fewer cases of racism in Puerto Rico than in the U.S.
Government
The Puerto Rican government receives delegated power from the U.S. Congress. The country’s head of the executive, the governor, is the leader and commander in chief of its police force. Given its democratic nature, the country is multiparty, similar to the U.S. However, unlike the U.S., the Puerto Rican government does not have a president due to limited power necessitated by the American quest to liberate Cuba from colonial rule.
Education and Literacy
Puerto Rico is one of the few developing countries that have prioritized education. The Puerto Rican government spends about 40% of its budget on education (Jarvinen). Consequently, there is a higher literacy level than that of the U.S. However, Puerto Rico’s geographical location makes it vulnerable to natural disasters such as hurricanes that interfere with learning activities. The American system enjoys more advanced technology than that of Puerto Rico, leading to more technical courses.
Economy
Although Puerto Rico’s literacy level is higher than the U.S., the country has worse economic challenges. Similar to U.S. Puerto Rico struggles with income inequality and unequal access to healthcare services. Puerto Rico’s infrastructure is poorer than the U.S. due to frequent hurricanes. The U.S. economy is boosted by its effective governance despite climate change challenges. The tough economic conditions have lowered Puerto Rican living standards.
Artists
Puerto Rico has had many artists whose paintings remain crucial in contemporary literature. Francisco Oller and Christian Curiel are some Puerto Rican artists whose paintings have helped in developing U.S. and Caribbean literature. Realism and Impressionism are some of Francisco Oller’s contributions to the world of art. Through the concepts, many art students have learned to tell their everyday lives through paintings.
Musicians
Elmer Figueroa Arce, Chayanne, is one of the most successful Puerto Rican artists. Many ballad artists follow Chayanne’s style of music that he pioneered in the late 1980s and early 1990s (Mercado Méndez). Chayanne was among the first artists to combine R&B and ballad music for dancing. His taking part in the first-ever Spanish-language commercial without subtitles aired on major U.S. TV networks changed Americans’ perception of Latinos.
Writers
Writers have used literature to communicate problems faced by Puerto Rico’s society. Issues such as colonialism, sexism, and gender inequality have been explored by Ana Lydia Vega in her fictional and non-fictional works. Ana Lydia Vega’s works present the problems faced by women in Puerto Rico and the world at large. For instance, her “Pasión de historia” has positively influenced an understanding of Puerto Rico’s colonial history.
Customs and Traditions
Puerto Ricans express their cultural and religious beliefs through various celebrations. Given that the country is predominantly Catholic, Christmas, the Three Kings Day, and the San Sebastián Festival celebrations are conducted from mid-December to early January. The festivals promote cultural unity and expression among Puerto Ricans. Unlike in Puerto Rico, celebrations are common in the U.S., but there are no traditional dances and cuisines.
Gastronomy
Puerto Rico has varied gastronomic traditions that are significant in American dishes. Arroz con gandules and Mofongo are major dishes in the country consisting of unique herbs and flavors. My family serves Churrasco, whose ingredient, chimichurri, originated from Argentina which is a Spanish-speaking country.
Summary
Puerto Rico is a Spanish-speaking country with a democratic government but limited sovereign power. The country faces worse economic challenges than the U.S., lowering its standards of living.
List of References
Central Intelligence Agency. “Puerto Rico – the World Factbook.” CIA, Web.
Jarvinen, Lisa. “The ‘School Question’ in an Imperial Context: Education and Religion during and Following the Occupations of Cuba and Puerto Rico.” History of Education Quarterly, 62(1), 2022, pp. 84–106, Web.
Liu, Mao-Mei, et al. “Race/Ethnic Differences, Skin Tone, and Memory among Older Latinos in the United States.” The Journals of Gerontology, 77 (11), 2022, p. 2038-2048. Web.
Mercado Méndez, Jorge. Caribbean Vaporwave: The Internet as Social Amplification. 2022. Kent State University, Master’s thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, Web.