Our country is one of diversity.  Varied geographical characteristics have been background to numerous and diverse cultural influences, giving shape to the also diverse characters of the modern Puerto Ricans. Being an island, our country has been influenced by exterior elements more (much more) than other countries that share borders with their neighbors.

We have created change from within and have also welcomed and endured it from abroad.  First the native Boricuas discovered the Europeans when Spaniards arrived on their shores in 1493.  The Spaniards then brought the Africans as slaves.  Later on, the French, the Dutch and other Europeans came by to contribute their share.

After evolving as Hispanics with all these influences, since 1898 we have blended with the North Americans to create a unique cultural entity with a hard to match built-in versatility.  Nevertheless, the main fibers of our character have endured the test of time.