Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States located in the Caribbean. It has its own local government and constitution but is subject to U.S. federal laws. Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens but cannot vote for the U.S. president and their representatives in Congress have limited voting rights. The island's economy relies on tourism, manufacturing, and agriculture. Although it enjoys a degree of autonomy, debates continue about its political status, including options for statehood, independence, or maintaining the current commonwealth arrangement. Puerto Rico has a rich cultural heritage influenced by Spanish, African, and indigenous Taíno traditions.