📍 Location & Geography
San Juan is the capital city of Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea. The city is situated on the northern coast of the island. It is the largest city in Puerto Rico by population and the third oldest European-established capital city in the Americas. San Juan is characterized by its narrow cobblestone streets and flat-roofed brick and stone buildings dating back to the 16th and 17th century when Puerto Rico was a Spanish possession.
🌎 Coordinates
The coordinates for San Juan are approximately 18.4655° N latitude and 66.1057° W longitude.
🗺️ Region & Area
San Juan is located in the Metropolitan Statistical Area of Puerto Rico. It covers an area of about 76.93 square miles, with 47.79 square miles being land and 29.14 square miles being water.
👥 Population & Demographics
As of the 2020 Census, the population of San Juan was approximately 395,326, making it the most populous city in Puerto Rico. The city is diverse, with a majority of the population being of Hispanic descent. The official languages are Spanish and English, with Spanish being the most widely spoken.
🏛️ History
San Juan was founded by Spanish colonists in 1521, who called it Ciudad de Puerto Rico (“Rich Port City”). Over the years, the city has been the site of several significant military engagements, including the unsuccessful British attacks in 1595 and 1598, and the Battle of San Juan during the Spanish-American War in 1898. San Juan officially became the capital of Puerto Rico in 1898 when the island was ceded to the United States following the Spanish-American War.
🏞️ Nature & Environment
San Juan boasts a tropical monsoon climate with warm to hot temperatures all year round. The city is home to numerous parks and outdoor spaces, including the famous El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. The city’s coastline features beautiful beaches, such as Condado Beach and Escambrón Beach.
🏫 Education
San Juan is the center of education in Puerto Rico, hosting several public and private schools, colleges, and universities. The city is home to the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, the largest public university on the island. Other notable institutions include the Metropolitan University, the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, and the Sacred Heart University.
🚧 Transportation
San Juan is served by a comprehensive transportation network. The city’s main airport, Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, is the busiest airport in the Caribbean. Public transportation includes buses, ferries, and a metro system known as Tren Urbano. The city also has a major seaport, the Port of San Juan, which is one of the busiest in the Caribbean.
📜 Trivia & Events
San Juan is known for its vibrant culture and hosts several annual events and festivals. The most notable is the San Sebastian Street Festival, one of the top 10 festivals in the world according to National Geographic. The city is also famous for its historic sites, such as the San Juan National Historic Site, which includes forts, walls, and old colonial Spanish architecture.