The TRAVELER'S JOURNAL: January seventeenth, exploring the riches of Puerto Rico.

Although Columbus landed on this Caribbean island in 1493 during his second voyage of discovery, it wasn't named until 15 years later by one of his lieutenants, Juan Ponce de Leon. The primary island of Puerto Rico, or Rich Port, is roughly 35 miles wide by 110 long, making it the Caribbean's fourth largest body of land.

With some 300 miles of sandy coastline, and lush plains rising into the densely forested mountain range that runs parallel to its length, Puerto Rico was well named. Long ruled by Spain, the island is now a semi-autonomous, internally self- governing U.S. territory.

Many travelers can recognize the mottled stone walls of El Moro, the great fortress which guards the harbor of San Juan, the island's main city and touristic centerpiece. While resorts like El Conquistador and Dorado Beach still draw the bulk of mainland visitors, adventurous travelers are discovering the island's other charms.

For example, Ponce, the former sugar capital on the south central coast, is a city of many refinements, not least of which is its fine arts museum. The well-preserved center of the southwestern town of San German has 250 gems of colonial architectural listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Near the town of Arecibo, an underground stream has carved a sinkhole 30 stories deep and left giant chambers which, once explored, will never be forgotten.

Puerto Rico is a rich port indeed.

FMI Contact Puerto Rico Tourism at 800-866-7827 or www.prtourism.com

Back to January 2003 Main

Look through the list of fascinating places and off-beat features we’ve covered. Search text versions of past episodes and articles in our archives.