Puerto Rico 🇵🇷: A Unique Reflection of U.S. Diversity

It becomes quite clear how diverse the U.S. is as a country when you visit places like Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico has been a U.S. territory (not a state) since 1898, following the Spanish-American War. While Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, they lack full political representation and sovereignty. The island has a non-voting Resident Commissioner in Congress and cannot participate in presidential elections, though residents can vote in presidential nominating contests. Additionally, while Puerto Ricans pay some federal taxes, they are exempt from federal income taxes on income earned within the territory. Both Spanish and English are official languages, with Spanish being the most widely spoken, reflecting the island’s rich cultural heritage.

Understanding Puerto Rico’s unique political and cultural history highlights the importance of cultural training when coming to the U.S. The country’s diversity- shaped by distinct histories, languages, and traditions- requires cultural awareness and adaptability to navigate effectively in both professional and personal settings.