* What is the background of Puerto Rico?

• Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island is claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following the second voyage of Christopher COLUMBUS to the Americas. In 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule that sees the indigenous population nearly exterminated and African slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico is ceded to the US as a result of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans are granted US citizenship in 1917. Popularly elected governors serve since 1948. In 1952, a constitution is enacted providing for internal self-government. In plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and 1998, voters choose not to alter the existing political status with the United States, but the results of a 2012 vote leaves open the possibility of American statehood.
• During the late 18th and 19th centuries (1700s and 1800s), Great Britain establishes colonies and protectorates that are occupied by Japan during the Second World War. After the war, the island resists British rule and becomes independent in 1957. The first several years of independence are marred by a communist insurgency, Indonesian confrontation, and Philippine claims.
• The island is the 50th and most recent U.S. state to join the United States, joining the Union on 21 August 1959. It is the only U.S. state located in Oceania. It is the northernmost island in Polynesia. Diverse natural scenery, warm tropical climate, abundance of public beaches, oceanic surroundings, and active volcanoes make it a popular destination for tourists, surfers, biologists, and volcanologists. The island is the only U.S. state not located in the Americas and the only state with an Asian plurality. It and Arizona are the only two states that do not observe daylight saving time.
• The native Amerindian population of the island begins to decline after European discovery of the island by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1492. Large numbers of African slaves are imported to work the coffee and sugar plantations, and Havana becomes the launching point for the annual treasure fleets bound for Spain from Mexico and Peru. Spanish rule eventually provokes an independence movement and occasional rebellions that are harshly suppressed. US intervention during the Spanish-American War in 1898 help overthrow Spanish rule. Subsequently, the 1901 Platt Amendment to the constitution authorizes the US to intervene in the event of instability. The Treaty of Paris establishes independence from the US in 1902 after which the island experiences a string of governments mostly dominated by the military and corrupt politicians. The country faces a severe economic downturn in 1990 following the withdrawal of former Soviet subsidies worth $4 to 6 billion annually.

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* Which of these is the flag of Puerto Rico?

• The first red white and blue flag with white star
• The second red white and blue flag with white star
• The third red white and blue flag with yellow star and crescent
• The last red white and blue flag with white star

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* What is the currency in Puerto Rico?

• Change Franc Pacifique (XPF) Pacific Franc Exchange
• East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
• United States Dollar (USD)
• Australian Dollar (AUD)

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* The United States celebrates its Independence Day, 4 July (1776). When do Puerto Ricans celebrate their nationhood?

• Independence Day 31 August (1957)
• Independence Day, 6 August (1962)
• Triumph of the Revolution, 1 January (1959)
• US Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto Rico Constitution Day, 25 July (1952)

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* United States population is 318,892,103 (July 2014 estimate). What is the population of Puerto Rico?

• Population of Puerto Rico: 3,620,897
• Population of Puerto Rico: 11,047,251
• Population of Puerto Rico: 1,404,054
• Population of Puerto Rico: 2,930,050

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* United States area is nearly ten square megameters, which is 9 826 675 square kilometers (982 667 500 hectares). This area includes only the 50 states and District of Columbia, no overseas territories. What is the area of Puerto Rico?

• 110 860 square kilometers (11 086 000 hectares)
• 13 790 square kilometers (1 379 000 hectares)
• 28 311 square kilometers (2 831 100 hectares)
• 10 991 square kilometers (1 099 100 hectares)

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* Several languages are spoken in the United States: English 82.1%, Spanish 10.7%, other Indo-European 3.8%, Asian and Pacific island 2.7%, other 0.7% (2000 census). Hawaiian is an official language in Hawaii. Which languages are spoken in Puerto Rico?

• Bahasa Malaysia (official), English, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai
• Spanish (official)
• Spanish (95%), English (spoken by fewer than 10%)
• English, English patois

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* Literacy in the United States (age 15 and over can read and write) is for the total population 99% - male: 99% and female: 99% (2003 estimate). What is literacy like in Puerto Rico? (2011 estimate)

• Total population: 99.8% - male: 99.8% and female: 99.8%
• Total population: 93.1% - male: 95.4% and female: 90.7%
• Total population: 87% - male: 82.1% and female: 91.8%
• Total population: 90.3% - male: 89.7% and female: 90.9%

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* In the United States, the chief of state is President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009); the president is both chief of state and head of government. Who is chief of state in Puerto Rico?

• President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (president since 24 February 2008); First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Miguel DIAZ-CANEL Bermudez (since 24 February 2013); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
• Chief of state: President François HOLLANDE (since 15 May 2012); head of government: Prime Minister Manuel VALLS (since 1 April 2014)
• Chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009); head of government: Governor Alejandro GARCIA Padilla (since 2 January 2013)
• King Tuanku ABDUL HALIM Mu’adzam Shah (selected on 13 December 2011; installed on 11 April 2012); the position of the king is primarily ceremonial; head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Najib Razak (since 3 April 2009); Deputy Prime Minister MUHYIDDIN bin Mohamed Yassin (since 9 April 2009)

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* What is the capital city of Puerto Rico?

• Kuala Lumpur
• San Juan
• Kingston
• Havana

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