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Found on the Northern Coast of Puerto Rico, San Juan expanded out of its walls to become the most populated city in the country. Puerto Rico has been a territory of The United States since the end of the Spanish-American war in 1898. San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico and holds the title for the oldest city in the U.S Territory (Janis). This city is painted with colorful buildings that are hundreds of years old and the streets are made of blue cobblestones that add to the overall character and uniqueness of the city. San Juan is a beautiful city that has a unique history, numerous activities for tourists, and amazing food.

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San Juan is well known for its detailed history and evolutions. A Spanish explorer, Juan Ponce de León, founded the settlement, originally named Caparra, in 1508. The settlement was later moved in 1521, from its place in a landlocked harbour to an islet at the harbour entrance (Britannica). Walls were constructed not long after the movement in response to European attacks but San Juan later moved out of the walls’ confinement and closer towards the harbour. The walls still stand and are known today as ‘Old San Juan’. During the time of confinement within the walls, locals built forts to protect themselves from the Europeans that were trying to invade. The forts remain with the walls and many people coming to San Juan stop and tour them.

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2023 Blue Cobblestone Streets in San Juan, Puerto Rico

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The iconic blue cobblestone streets have been around since Old San Juan was founded. “The cobblestones were first introduced during the late 16th and early 17th centuries as part of a strategic urban planning initiative” (Old San Juan Escape). The stones were strategically placed so that rainwater would drain, preventing flooding. Today, the streets are preserved and serve as a symbol of San Juan's past and how it came to be. This city is shown to have a rich and vibrant history that draws people to San Juan from all across the world.

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2023 Christopher Columbus Statue in San Juan

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The people traveling to San Juan love to see landmarks such as churches, parks, and statues, “Must-see sights like the Capilla del Cristo, the statue of La Rogativa, Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetary, and San Juan Catherdral will turn every visitor into a history b

uff” (Discover Puerto Rico). San Juan offers a world-class shopping experience, “With a wide range of department stores, small shops, chain retailers, specialty boutiques, and even a movie theater, this mall lives up to its slogan: The Center of Everything” (Discover Puerto Rico). The largest mall in the Caribbean, Plaza Las Américas, is a popular place that tourists visit in order to find everything that they are looking for, while also receiving a positive shopping experience! After a full day of activities, tourists love to visit the local restaurants and be exposed to the great food culture of San Juan.

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San Juan's dining experiences offer mouthwatering culinary that represents the Puerto Rican culture. One common dish that you can find in San Juan is Pastelón, "If you love lasagna, get ready to fall head over heels for the Puerta Rican twist on this classic dish" (Carnival Cruise Line). This dish is made with plantains, as most of Puerto Rican dishes do because of the adequate amount of plantains that are locally grown there. Another popular dish that visitors love is MoFongo, “it has its own unique taste, reflecting the creativity and cultural blend of the African diaspora in the Caribbean” (Livraghi). This dish, along with many others, represents popular flavors of the Carribean. Food is the heart of home, and in this case, the city; cultural dishes bring visitors closer to the lifestyle of the locals, allowing them to connect with the city and feel as though they belong. San Juan uses their unique recipes in order to achieve the goal of welcoming foreigners to their home, and persuade them to come back.

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To conclude, San Juan started off as a small city that was being invaded by Europeans but they ended up winning back their territory and creating a bigger city that visitors adore. San Juan offers a rich history, numerous activities for tourists, and delicious food. Cities like this, with such a unique past, are hard to come by, so visitors get the chance, they stop and tour the wonderful San Juan!