Welcome to Flotilla 10 - San
Juan
San Juan
is the capital and largest city of Puerto Rico,
a commonwealth in association with the United States of America. Its
population in 1990 was 437,745. Sugar, tobacco, coffee, and fruit are
exported, mainly to the United
States. San Juan's industries include tourism,
brewing, distilling, metal products, cement, and clothing.
The area was named by Ponce de León, who in 1508 founded the first
settlement in the area. The city fell to English attacks in 1598 led by George
Clifford, Earl of Cumberland, and was sacked by the Dutch in 1625. U.S. troops
occupied the city during the Spanish-American War in 1898.
Historic buildings include El Morro Castle, San Cristóbal Castle, and La Fortaleza, a former
fort now used as the Governor's official residence. Other landmarks include
San José Church,
the oldest church in continuous use in the Western
Hemisphere; and the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista, which
contains the tomb of Ponce de León. Also in the city are the University of Puerto
Rico, the University of the Sacred Heart, and a campus of
the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico. |
