 By: Josselyn Gonzalez and Lianna Graniglia

 The Puerto Rican Flag The Puerto Rican Map The white star stands for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico while the three sides of the equilateral triangle together represent the three branches of the Republican government (executive, legislative and judicial branches). The three red strips symbolize the blood that feeds those parts of the government. The two white stripes symbolizing the rights of man and the freedom of the individual, are a perpetual reminder of the need for vigilance of a democratic government is to be preserved.

1. Mofongo - This is a tasty and filling of mashed plantain, seasonings and a virtually unlimited choice of filling; vegetarian, shrimp, steak, pork, seafood Arroz con Gandules - is the national dish of the island. Pigeon peas with rice has distinctly Caribbean roots, but the 'Rican twist to the dish is its secret sauce, known as sofrito. Arroz con gandules is typically made with ham, pork, chorizo, red peppers and olives 3. Fritters, Alcapurrias, and Other Fried Snacks - alcapurrias (a kind of fried turnover), almojábanas (cheese-flavored rice fritters), bacalaítos (codfish-flavored fritters), and buñuelos (yam fritters), You can find fried snacks all over Puerto Rico. 4. Flan – is a popular Puerto Rican dessert, and is a custard. Mofongo Arroz Con Gandules Empandas Flan

 Christopher Columbus bumped into Puerto Rico, on his second voyage of the world.  Puerto Rico means “Rich Port”  The island was left unvisited by the Europeans for 15 years.  A soldier named Juan Ponce de Leon, invaded Puerto Rico, and became Puerto Rico’s first governor.  The first town established was Caparra, which is now known San Juan.  The first slaves were Puerto Ricans.  Ponce Leon remains rest beneath a marble slab in the San Juan Cathedral, in old San Juan. 

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