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The Library of Congress holds thousands of collection materials about and from Puerto Rico. Curated by librarians in the Hispanic Reading Room, this guide is part of a series of Country Guides that provide quick references for countries and regions from the Luso-Hispanic world. The Hispanic Reading Room is the Library’s portal to the Caribbean, Latin America, Spain and Portugal; the indigenous cultures of those areas; and peoples throughout the world historically influenced by Luso-Hispanic heritage, including Latinos in the U.S. This guide offers links to diverse resources on Puerto Rico from across the Library including digitized primary sources, selected books and periodicals, online databases, and tips for searching. For specific questions or assistance using the Library’s resources, use the Ask a Librarian service to contact a reference librarian.
Official Name: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico)
Capital: San Juan
Governor: Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia (since 2 January 2021)
*In 1898 Puerto Rico was ceded to the U.S. as a result of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted U.S. citizenship in 1917. In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for internal self-government. Puerto Rico is an unincorporated organized territory of the U.S.
Population: 3.019 million (est. 2024)
Languages: Spanish, English
Municipalities: 78; Adjuntas; Aguada; Aguadilla; Aguas Buenas; Aibonito; Añasco; Arecibo; Arroyo; Barceloneta; Barranquitas; Bayamón; Cabo Rojo; Caguas; Camuy; Canóvanas; Carolina; Cataño; Cayey; Ceiba; Ciales; Cidra; Coamo; Comerio; Corozal; Culebra; Dorado; Fajardo; Florida; Las Piedras; Loíza; Luquillo; Manatí; Maricao; Maunabo; Mayagüez; Moca; Morovis; Naguabo; Naranjito; Guánica; Guayama; Guayanilla; Guaynabo; Gurabo; Hatillo; Hormigueros; Humacao; Isabela; Jayuya; Juana Díaz; Juncos; Lajas; Lares; Las Marías; Orocovis; Patillas; Peñuelas; Ponce; Quebradillas; Rincón; Río Grande; Sabana Grande; Salinas; San Germán; San Lorenzo; San Juan; San Sebastián; Santa Isabel; Toa Alta; Toa Baja; Trujillo Alto; Utuado; Vega Alta; Vega Baja; Vieques; Villalba; Yabucoa; Yauco.
Source: The World Factbook.
In addition to this general guide to Puerto Rican collections and resources, staff at the Library of Congress have produced several other detailed subject guides relevant to Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.
Alimentación, gastronomía, cultura y hábitos alimenticios: una bibliografía anotada
Coffee in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Research Guide
Handbook of Latin American Studies (HLAS): A Resource Guide
Latin America and the Caribbean in Photographs at the Library of Congress
Latin American Composers: A Guide to Resources at the Library of Congress
World of 1898: International Perspectives on the Spanish American War
This guide provides access to an array of resources on language and identity in Puerto Rico, including digitized primary source materials in a wide variety of formats, books, periodicals, and online databases.
This guide provides access to ethnographic resources documenting expressive culture in the territory of Puerto Rico at the Library of Congress.
This research guide provides access to historic photographic and film documentation, as well as related print and electronic resources, illustrating the 20th century efforts to transform Puerto Rico from a plantation to an industrial economy.
This guide, prepared by the Law Library of Congress, includes links to free online legal resources regarding Puerto Rico, focusing on its constitution; executive, legislative, and judicial branches; legal guides; and general sources.
Compiled by reference specialists at the Library of Congress, this guide identifies key print and online resources for pursuing family history, as well as municipal historical research for Puerto Rico.
