# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Table of Contents

Relief

Puerto Rico is largely composed of mountainous and hilly terrain, with nearly one-fourth of the island covered by steep slopes. The mountains are the easternmost extension of a tightly folded and faulted ridge that extends from the Central American mainland across the northern Caribbean to the Lesser Antilles. Although Puerto Rican relief is relatively low by continental standards, the island sits less than 100 miles (160 km) south of a precipitous depression in Earth's crust: an extensive submarine feature of the Atlantic known as the Puerto Rico Trench, which descends to more than 5 miles (8 km) below sea level -the Atlantic's deepest point-at a site northeast of the Dominican Republic. Powerful tectonic forces that over millions of years have created these features still occasionally cause earthquakes in Puerto Rico.

The island's highest mountain range, the Cordillera Central, trends east-west and exceeds 3,000 feet (900 metres) in many areas; its slopes are somewhat gentle in the north but rise sharply from the south coast to the loftier peaks, topped at about 4,390 feet (1,338 metres) by Cerro de Punta, the highest point on the island. Near the island's eastern tip, the partly isolated Sierra de Luquillo rises to 3,494 feet (1,065 metres) at El Yunque Peak.

The northwestern foothills and lowlands are characterized by karst features, including sinkholes ( sumideros), caverns, and eroded mogotes, or haystack hills ( pepinos). There is a continuous but narrow lowland along the north coast, where most people live, and smaller bands along the south and west coasts that also include densely populated areas. The Caguas Basin, in the Grande de Loíza River valley south of San Juan, is the largest of several basins in the mountains that provide level land for settlements and agriculture. The islands of Mona, Vieques, and Culebra are generally hilly but ringed by narrow coastal plains; Vieques rises to 988 feet (301 metres) at Mount Pirata.

Drainage and soils

None of Puerto Rico's rivers is large enough for navigation, but several northward-flowing rivers are harnessed for municipal water supplies, irrigation, and hydroelectricity, and along the south coast irrigation is essential for agriculture. Puerto Rico's precipitation mainly falls on the north-facing mountain slopes, so that most of the permanent rivers flow from the interior to the north and west coasts, including the Grande de Loíza, Grande de Arecibo, and Grande de Añasco rivers-all of which are some 40 miles (65 km) long-and La Plata, which extends 46 miles (75 km). The river courses on the south coast are dry most of the year, carrying water only after rainfall. Pockets of alluvial soils on the south coast are somewhat fertile, but all farmlands there are fertilized. Many formerly cultivated and eroded areas in the mountains have been set aside as forest preserves.

Climate

Puerto Rico has a tropical climate with little seasonal variation, although local conditions vary according to elevation and exposure to rain-bearing winds. Northeast trade winds bring heavy rainfall to the north coast, while the south coast is in a rain shadow. San Juan receives about 60 inches (1,525 mm) of precipitation per year, whereas El Yunque Peak farther east receives 180 inches (4,570 mm), and Ponce on the south coast receives only 36 inches (914 mm). Rain falls each month of the year, but the heaviest precipitation occurs between May and December. The average daily temperature in the lowlands is about 78 °F (26 °C), but relatively high humidity makes daytime temperatures feel warmer. Highland temperatures average a few degrees lower. Hurricanes develop in the region between June and November and occasionally traverse the island, including a storm in 1899 that killed about 3,000 Puerto Ricans; other devastating but less lethal hurricanes occurred in 1928, 1932, 1956, 1989, 1998, and 2017.

Plant and animal life

Plant life is abundant and varied. Tropical rainforests cover parts of the north side of the island, and thorn and scrub vegetation predominates on the drier south side. Most of the island's original vegetation was removed through centuries of agricultural exploitation, particularly during the first two decades of the 20th century, when farm settlers and plantation workers destroyed large tracts of coastal forest and used the lumber for railroad ties and fuel. Although some woodlands have been replanted since the mid-20th century, introduced varieties of trees, shrubs, and grasses now predominate.

The scarlet- and orange-flowered royal poinciana, or flamboyant ( Delonix regia), and the African tulip tree ( Spathodea campanulata) are among the flowering trees that dot the mountains with patches of vivid colour against a lush green background. The Caribbean National Forest in the Sierra de Luquillo southeast of San Juan preserves rare species of orchids and the small green Puerto Rican parrot, an endangered species. Puerto Rico has more than 200 species of birds, but land animals are mostly confined to nonpoisonous snakes, lizards, mongooses, and the coquí ( Eleutherodactylus portoricensis), a frog whose name is onomatopoeic with its call ("co-kee!") and which has become a kind of national mascot. Numerous varieties of fish abound in the surrounding waters, but edible and inedible species mingle together, limiting commercial fishing there.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Puerto Rico | History, Geography, & Points of Interest

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Geographical and historical treatment of Puerto Rico, including maps and statistics as well as a survey of its people, economy, and government.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Puerto Rico: social media users by platform 2028 | Statista

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Comparing the 11 different segments for the year 2028, the segment ‘Facebook’ is forecast to lead the ranking with 1.72 million users.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Are you looking for the top companies to work for in Puerto Rico? Employees at Honeywell rate their employer a 4.0 out of 5. Other top-rated companies near you in Puerto Rico include Deloitte rated 4.0 out of 5, AT&T with a rating of 3.5 out of 5, McDonald's with a 3.6 out of 5, and PwC rated 3.9 out of 5 by employees. This list of top companies in Puerto Rico is based on anonymously submitted employee reviews. Adjust the rating filter to view companies with higher or lower average ra...Read More

Are you looking for the top companies to work for in Puerto Rico? Employees at Honeywell rate their employer a 4.0 out of 5. Other top-rated companies...Read More

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Browse the top companies in Puerto Rico. Salaries, reviews, and more - all posted by employees working at the top companies in Puerto Rico. Apply to jobs near you.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
List

Historic sites, culinary experiences, outdoor adventures, and beautiful beaches.

List

Travel back in time to another era without sacrificing modern comforts.

Article

A guide to getting around once you land in Puerto Rico.

One of the most popular destinations in Puerto Rico for locals and visitors alike is El Yunque National Forest. This is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System and also one of the most biodiverse spots on the island thanks to the park's 240 different species of plants. Whether you're looking to go birdwatching, swim in natural pools under waterfalls, or test your endurance on a challenging hike, El Yunque has trails for all types of adventures. Some of the trails that are currently open include La Coca Trail, Baño Grande, Angelito and Puente Roto, El Toro, Mt. Britton, and El Yunque Peak. There are also a handful of options for tour companies who can arrange half-day or full-day trips from San Juan to the park, if you'd prefer to have experts handle the planning and driving.

Toro Negro State Forest

Jayuya/ Ponce/ Villalba/ Orocovis/ Ciales/ Juana Díaz

The nearly 7,000 acres of Toro Negro State Forest is spread over six different municipalities and includes four types of forest ( tabonuco, palm, Micropholis Buchenavia, and a cloud forest), the three highest peaks of the island (Cerro de Punta, Cerro Jayuya, and Cerro Rosa), a lake, two natural swimming pools, nine rivers, and numerous waterfalls. To hike and camp there, visit the ranger station on Route 143 KM 32.4 in Villalba. Most of the trailheads are concentrated in this area, and the most popular (and currently open) are El Bolo, which leads to a stone tower on the top of a mountain, and Charco La Confesora, which has a trailhead at the Toro Negro camping grounds.

Cambalache State Forest

The name of the mountain itself is Cerro de los Cielos but the trail gets its name from the solitary mango tree at the top which is visible from the highway

Árbol Solitario

Cabo Rojo Wildlife Refuge

Recommended Articles

See All Articles

Tags
Things to Do Outdoors Hiking

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
List Historic sites, culinary experiences, outdoor adventures, and beautiful beaches. List Travel back in time to another era without sacrificing modern comforts. Article A guide to getting around once you land in Puerto Rico. One of the most popular destinations in Puerto Rico for locals and visitors alike is El Yunque National Forest.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
10 unmissable London attractions to visit in 2023 and 2024

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Discover places to visit in London with top tourist attractions and London landmarks such as Buckingham Palace and free attractions such as the British Museum.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Puerto Rico - 2023 (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Things to Do in Puerto Rico, Caribbean: See Tripadvisor’s 809,783 traveler reviews and photos of Puerto Rico tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in June. We have reviews of the best places to see in Puerto Rico. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Top Apps Ranking - Most Popular Apps in Puerto Rico on 4 May | Similarweb

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Top apps in Puerto Rico on 4 May - Discover the top ranking Android apps DAU and ranking today. Click here

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
National Geographic is the source for pictures, photo tips, free desktop wallpapers of places, animals, nature, underwater, travel, and more, as well as photographer bios.

# data[].attributes.headline
Write in your personal padlet at least a paragraph telling a local adventure (Puerto Rico) you would like to undertake.

# data[].attributes.subject
Write in your personal padlet at least a paragraph telling a local adventure (Puerto Rico) you would like to undertake.

# data[].attributes.body
Heading out on a kayaking tour to see the glowing water in Puerto Rico would be super cool. Imagine paddling through the night in Mosquito Bay, under all the stars, and seeing the water light up like magic! They say it's because of these tiny creatures called dinoflagellates. They make the water glow blue-green when you move your paddle. I'd love to learn more about how it all works and why it's so important to take care of this special place. It sounds like the kind of adventure you'd never forget!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Las mejores fotografías de National Geographic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Fotografías, imágenes espectaculares, el trabajo de los mejores fotógrafos está en National Geographic