Geography and Climate
The island of Puerto Rico is located in the northern Caribbean Sea, some 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) southeast of Florida. With the Dominican Republic to its west and the British Virgin Islands to its east, the commonwealth comprises the main island of Puerto Rico together with the smaller islands of Culebra and Vieques. On Puerto Rico, coastal plains and hills rise to the peaks of the Cordillera Central mountain range, which runs though the interior of the island. The island is dotted with rivers and lakes, and features a lush rain forest, El Yunque, in the northern plateau region.
Warm Caribbean currents keep Puerto Rico's climate temperate year-round. Temperatures rarely drop below 19C (66F) or rise above 32C (90F). Rain showers are frequent, with the most precipitation falling from May to December. Severe hurricanes can hit the islands between June and November. |
