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Explore our unspoiled beaches and tide pools. Collect
shells, sea glass and driftwood.
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Ride the exciting surf. Jump out of bed and into the
water!
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Dive the most varied reef system in the world. Snorkel
a shore reef at Tres Palmas, dive a wall at Mona or
Desecheo Islands.
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Catch a marlin, mahi, snapper or a kingfish in our waters,
with an experienced charter boat captain.
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Go on a Whale Watch and enjoy nature at its best.
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Rent a kayak, jet ski or ride a banana boat.
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See our sights. Some go back to the time of the Spanish
Main.
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Play a round of golf at one of the nearby courses.
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Land and Resources
Puerto Rico is one of the larger islands of the West Indies,
and the commonwealth also includes several small islands,
such as Desecheo, Mona and Monito Islands to West and
Culebra, and Vieques to the East.
The islands of Desecheo, Mona and Monito, are uninhabited
and are officially declared wildlife sanctuaries. Puerto
Rico is roughly rectangular in shape; its greatest east
to west distance is about 180 km (110 mi), and its extreme
north to south distance is about 65 km (40 mi). The highest
point is 1338 m (4389 ft), atop Cerro de Punta. Puerto
Rico has an area of 9104 sq km (3515 sq mi). Its coastline
measures some 501 km (311 mi).
Physical Geography
Puerto Rico is mountainous. The Central Mountains (Cordillera
Central) form an east to west backbone that extends almost
the entire length of the island. The average elevation
of these mountains, which include the Cordillera Central
and the Sierra de Luquillo, is about 915 m (3000 ft).
Although the mountains and adjacent foothills cover most
of Puerto Rico, on the northern side of the island lies
a coastal plain up to about 19 km (12 mi) wide, and a
narrower coastal plain up to about 13 km (8 mi) wide extends
along the southern coast. For most of its length the mountain
system is nearer the southern coast than the northern
coast, and the slopes are generally steeper on the southern
side. At the eastern end of the island, however, the mountains
curve toward the northeastern corner.
Water Resources
Puerto Rico has many relatively short rivers and streams.
Some of the rivers are dammed for hydroelectric power
and thus have small lakes along their courses. One such
body of water is Lago de Yauco, on the Yauco River. The
longest river is the Grande de Arecibo, which flows to
the northern coast. Other rivers include the Grande de
Añasco, Bayamón, Cibuco, Culebrinas, and
La Plata. None of the rivers is navigable by large vessels.
Mineral Resources
Puerto Rico's mineral deposits include limestone, glass
sand, clay, copper, cobalt, chromium, nickel, iron ore,
and peat. Great deposits of copper are in the central
region near Adjuntas and Utuado. |
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