The residents of the small Caribbean state of Puerto Rico consider themselves the successors of the great navigator Christopher Columbus and Spanish conquistadors.
© RIA Novosti . Larisa SaenkoThe residents of the small Caribbean state of Puerto Rico consider themselves the successors of the great navigator Christopher Columbus and Spanish conquistadors.
1/14
© RIA Novosti . Larisa Saenko
The residents of the small Caribbean state of Puerto Rico consider themselves the successors of the great navigator Christopher Columbus and Spanish conquistadors.
© RIA Novosti . Larisa SaenkoColumbus discovered this island during his second expedition by landing on its western shore on November 19, 1493.
2/14
© RIA Novosti . Larisa Saenko
Columbus discovered this island during his second expedition by landing on its western shore on November 19, 1493.
© RIA Novosti . Larisa SaenkoWhen travelers arrive at a bay they see a on the bank a fortress with medieval walls of old San Juan and learn more about the history.
3/14
© RIA Novosti . Larisa Saenko
When travelers arrive at a bay they see a on the bank a fortress with medieval walls of old San Juan and learn more about the history.
© RIA Novosti . Larisa SaenkoSan Juan is the second oldest city in the Americas after Cusco in Peru.
4/14
© RIA Novosti . Larisa Saenko
San Juan is the second oldest city in the Americas after Cusco in Peru.
© RIA Novosti . Larisa SaenkoThe Roman Catholic Church is a de facto state religion on the island. The first Catholics came with Columbus on board his flagman ship Marie-Galante as did the first settlers who took cattle, grapevines and seeds with the desire to stay forever on this blessed winterless island.
5/14
© RIA Novosti . Larisa Saenko
The Roman Catholic Church is a de facto state religion on the island. The first Catholics came with Columbus on board his flagman ship Marie-Galante as did the first settlers who took cattle, grapevines and seeds with the desire to stay forever on this blessed winterless island.
© RIA Novosti . Larisa SaenkoEuropean settlers hardly assimilated with the indigenous tribes Tainos which completely disappeared as they could not adapt to the viruses and harsh colonization of the Europeans.
6/14
© RIA Novosti . Larisa Saenko
European settlers hardly assimilated with the indigenous tribes Tainos which completely disappeared as they could not adapt to the viruses and harsh colonization of the Europeans.
© RIA Novosti . Larisa SaenkoOld San Juan cannot be imagined without music from cafes, bars or street musicians. The island gave birth to the musical and dance style “bomb.”
7/14
© RIA Novosti . Larisa Saenko
Old San Juan cannot be imagined without music from cafes, bars or street musicians. The island gave birth to the musical and dance style “bomb.”
© RIA Novosti . Larisa SaenkoThere are a few monuments of various styles on the island. And sculptor Zurab Tsereteli plans to bring here his monument to Christopher Columbus, which is another record of large-scale sculptures.
8/14
© RIA Novosti . Larisa Saenko
There are a few monuments of various styles on the island. And sculptor Zurab Tsereteli plans to bring here his monument to Christopher Columbus, which is another record of large-scale sculptures.
© RIA Novosti . Larisa SaenkoPonce is the second attractive city for tourists located in the south of the island.
9/14
© RIA Novosti . Larisa Saenko
Ponce is the second attractive city for tourists located in the south of the island.
© RIA Novosti . Larisa SaenkoThe lion is the symbol of Ponce which is called the island’s “southern pearl.”
10/14
© RIA Novosti . Larisa Saenko
The lion is the symbol of Ponce which is called the island’s “southern pearl.”
© RIA Novosti . Larisa SaenkoThe old firefighting station is an unforgettable site in Ponce. In 1951, the chief firefighter of the city, Raul Gandara-Cartagena, wrote a book about his duties. In many Spanish-speaking countries his book became the fireman's manual in Latin America.
11/14
© RIA Novosti . Larisa Saenko
The old firefighting station is an unforgettable site in Ponce. In 1951, the chief firefighter of the city, Raul Gandara-Cartagena, wrote a book about his duties. In many Spanish-speaking countries his book became the fireman's manual in Latin America.
© RIA Novosti . Larisa SaenkoPuerto Ricans likes carnivals. The traditional carnival masks in the south of the island look freaky. They have the image of a devil which is believed to be able to scare away evil spirits and angry pirates.
12/14
© RIA Novosti . Larisa Saenko
Puerto Ricans likes carnivals. The traditional carnival masks in the south of the island look freaky. They have the image of a devil which is believed to be able to scare away evil spirits and angry pirates.
© RIA Novosti . Larisa SaenkoOne can cross the whole island by car in one day and see creeks, mountains, prairies tropical bushes, and dry cactus forests.
13/14
© RIA Novosti . Larisa Saenko
One can cross the whole island by car in one day and see creeks, mountains, prairies tropical bushes, and dry cactus forests.
© RIA Novosti . Larisa SaenkoThe residents of Puerto Rico, a former Spanish colony and now a territory formally controlled by the United States are unsure about their state status – either they will be an independent state or join the United States. Plebiscites have not answered a philosophical question if another independent Caribbean state should exist.
14/14
© RIA Novosti . Larisa Saenko
The residents of Puerto Rico, a former Spanish colony and now a territory formally controlled by the United States are unsure about their state status – either they will be an independent state or join the United States. Plebiscites have not answered a philosophical question if another independent Caribbean state should exist.