Puerto Rico's Diversity

The island of Puerto Rico is a island with a culturally diverse background that is full of very rich traditions and a very extensive history. With an estimated population of 3,958,128 people it is without doubt one of the most densely populated islands in the world. The Taino peoples were present on the island at the time of the arrival of the Spanish.

Once the Spanish conquistadors arrived, they brought about a mixing of cultures and mated with Taino women. The Taino population would decrease dramatically however after coming into contact with unfamiliar European diseases like smallpox or died of poor conditions forced on them by the conquistadors.


African slaves were also brought to the island not only to populate the island but to ensure that the Spanish would have the workforce needed to work the lands and to mine for riches. Other cultures from around the world also made their way over to Puerto Rico in search of a better life such as families from Ireland and Scotland.



By the mid 19th century, laborers were recruited to start the task of getting roads done and with that came a wave of Chinese, Lebanese, French and German workers. Once the United States was ceded Puerto Rico from Spain, the American influence began to be felt on the island as well. Cubans also migrated to the country following Fidel Castro's ascension to power on the island.