1. Origin of famous singer Jennifer Lopez

2. Flag

3. History History On November 19, 1493 Christopher Columbus discovered the island in his second voyage to America. He named the island San Juan Bautista. He found the island had lots of Taíno or Arawak Indians. The Taínos were peaceful and they welcomed the conquistadores and shared their homes and food and gave the Spaniards many gifts. thought this island was very beautiful. On November 19, 1493 Christopher Columbus discovered the island in his second voyage to America. He named the island San Juan Bautista. He found the island had lots of Taíno or Arawak Indians. The Taínos were peaceful and they welcomed the conquistadores and shared their homes and food and gave the Spaniards many gifts. thought this island was very beautiful. Juan Ponce de León colonized Borinquen in 1508 and became its first governor. The conquistadores were looking for gold. They made slaves of the Indians than killed them from overwork. Soon, African families were brought to the island as slaves. The island remained economically undeveloped until 1830, when sugarcane and other plantation were developed. Many families from Spain and Europe nations moved to the islands marrying Taíno Indians, forming a new groups called Criollos. Juan Ponce de León colonized Borinquen in 1508 and became its first governor. The conquistadores were looking for gold. They made slaves of the Indians than killed them from overwork. Soon, African families were brought to the island as slaves. The island remained economically undeveloped until 1830, when sugarcane and other plantation were developed. Many families from Spain and Europe nations moved to the islands marrying Taíno Indians, forming a new groups called Criollos. When Puerto Ricans started to want independence, Spain gave the island powers of self- government in 1897. But during the Spanish-American War of 1898 American troops invaded the island and Spain surrendered to the U.S. Since then, Puerto Rico has remained a U.S. territory. Its people were granted American citizenship under the Jones Act in 1917; were allowed to vote for their own governor, beginning in 1948; and now fully manage their internal affairs under a constitution. In 1952 Puerto Rico’s Constitution established self government. In 1954 Puerto Rican nationalists carried out an armed attack in the US Congress but over the years the people of Puerto Rico have voted to retain Commonwealth status. When Puerto Ricans started to want independence, Spain gave the island powers of self- government in 1897. But during the Spanish-American War of 1898 American troops invaded the island and Spain surrendered to the U.S. Since then, Puerto Rico has remained a U.S. territory. Its people were granted American citizenship under the Jones Act in 1917; were allowed to vote for their own governor, beginning in 1948; and now fully manage their internal affairs under a constitution. In 1952 Puerto Rico’s Constitution established self government. In 1954 Puerto Rican nationalists carried out an armed attack in the US Congress but over the years the people of Puerto Rico have voted to retain Commonwealth status.

4. The festivals consist of singing, dancing, rides, religious processions, concerts, and banquets of regional food spread out over 10 days. The festivals consist of singing, dancing, rides, religious processions, concerts, and banquets of regional food spread out over 10 days. Jan 5 Eve of Epiphany Jan 5 Eve of Epiphany Jan 6 Epiphany/Three Kings' Day Jan 6 Epiphany/Three Kings' Day Jan 11 Birthday of Eugenio María de Hostos Jan 11 Birthday of Eugenio María de Hostos 3rd week of Jan San Sebastian Street Festival 3rd week of Jan San Sebastian Street Festival Third Monday in Feb Presidents' Day Third Monday in Feb Presidents' Day Week before Lent Carnival Week before Lent Carnival First day of Lent Ash Wednesday First day of Lent Ash Wednesday Feb 18 Birthday of Luis Muñoz Marín Feb 18 Birthday of Luis Muñoz Marín Mar 22 Emancipation Day Mar 22 Emancipation Day There are three types of festivals In Puerto Rico - patron saint festivals, harvest festivals, and national holidays There is at least one every weekend. Sunday before Easter Palm Sunday Sunday before Easter Palm Sunday Friday in late Mar/Apr Good Friday Friday in late Mar/Apr Good Friday Sunday in late Mar/Apr Easter - April 24 2011 Sunday in late Mar/Apr Easter - April 24 2011 Monday in May 1 Memorial day Monday in May 1 Memorial day June3 Pablo Casals Music Festival June3 Pablo Casals Music Festival Jun 242St John's DayJun 242St John's Day Jul 25 Constitution DayJul 25 Constitution Day Jul 27 Birthday of Dr. José Celso BarbosaJul 27 Birthday of Dr. José Celso Barbosa First Monday in Sep Labor DayFirst Monday in Sep Labor Day Fourth Thursday in Nov1Thanksgiving DayFourth Thursday in Nov1Thanksgiving Day Dec 25 Christmas DayDec 25 Christmas Day Dec 311New Year's EveDec 311New Year's Eve

5. Christmas Day Christmas Day Palm Sunday Palm Sunday Eve of Epiphany Eve of Epiphany San Sebastian Street Festival San Sebastian Street Festival Ponce Carnival Saborea Puerto Rico Salsa Congress

6. Baseball Basketball Biking & Skating Boating & Sailing HikingHorses Horse Racing MarathonsSurfing Scuba & Snorkeling SwimmingTennis Wind Surfing Volleyball Bowling Camping Cockfighting Cycling Diving Fishing Golf

7. Breakfast usually consists of- juice, chocolate caliente (hot chocolate), fresh tropical fruits, eggs with beef, fried or sautéed plantains and toasted pan de agua (local bread) Breakfast usually consists of- juice, chocolate caliente (hot chocolate), fresh tropical fruits, eggs with beef, fried or sautéed plantains and toasted pan de agua (local bread) Lunch- ARROZ CON GANDULES (PUERTO RICAN STYLE) and Empanadas are a usual lunch Lunch- ARROZ CON GANDULES (PUERTO RICAN STYLE) and Empanadas are a usual lunch Supper- In Puerto Rico they love to make food out of chicken, shellfish, fish, egg dishes, and sautéed plantains. tortilla española witch are Spanish omelets and pollo agridulce (Sweet and sour chicken) are just a few Supper- In Puerto Rico they love to make food out of chicken, shellfish, fish, egg dishes, and sautéed plantains. tortilla española witch are Spanish omelets and pollo agridulce (Sweet and sour chicken) are just a few