<Li> ^ The term' Commonwealth' does not describe or provide for any specific political status or relationship . It has, for example, been applied to both states and territories . When used in connection with areas under U.S. sovereignty that are not states, the term broadly describes an area that has a constitution of its adoption . </Li> <P> Puerto Rico (Spanish for "Rich Port"), officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Spanish: Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, lit . "Free Associated State of Puerto Rico") and briefly called Porto Rico, is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the northeast Caribbean Sea . </P> <P> An archipelago among the Greater Antilles, Puerto Rico includes the main island of Puerto Rico and a number of smaller ones, such as Mona, Culebra, and Vieques . The capital and most populous city is San Juan . Its official languages are Spanish and English, though Spanish predominates . The island's population is approximately 3.4 million . Puerto Rico's history, tropical climate, natural scenery, traditional cuisine, and tax incentives make it a destination for travelers from around the world . </P> <P> Originally populated by the indigenous Taíno people, the island was claimed in 1493 by Christopher Columbus for Spain during his second voyage . Later it endured invasion attempts from the French, Dutch, and British . Four centuries of Spanish colonial government influenced the island's cultural landscapes with waves of African slaves, Canarian, and Andalusian settlers . In the Spanish Empire, Puerto Rico played a secondary, but strategic role when compared to wealthier colonies like Peru and the mainland parts of New Spain . Spain's distant administrative control continued up to the end of the 19th century, helping to produce a distinctive creole Hispanic culture and language that combined elements from the Native Americans, Africans, and Iberians . In 1898, following the Spanish--American War, the United States acquired Puerto Rico under the terms of the Treaty of Paris . The treaty took effect on April 11, 1899 . </P>

Why is puerto rico a part of the us
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