Puerto Rico is a self governing commonwealth of the United States of America. It is an island located in the Caribbean Sea to the east of the Dominican Republic and to the west of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Puerto Rico lies on a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal, the Mona Passage. Its capital, San Juan, has one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean.
Puerto Rico is full of diverse natural wonders and beauty as well as many culturally and historically important buildings. The island also hosts a fair share of concerts and sporting events, and for these reasons attracts thousands of tourists (many on cruise ships) each year. The main island of Puerto Rico and the small eastern islands of Vieques and Culebra all offer stunning beaches. To the west of the main island lies La Isla Mona, a secluded island inhabited only by wildlife. This peaceful place can only be visited by appointment.