Walker Library: Geography: Puerto Rico

Current Overview

Puerto Rico: Freedom and Power in the Caribbean
Covers historical background up until 2002.
Story Map: On Language and Colony (Library of Congress)
This story will take the viewer through the historical path of the island of Puerto Rico since its colonization in 1493 and consequent linguistic changes.
Puerto Rico: Resource Guide (Library of Congress)
Center for Puerto Rican Studies

Should Puerto Rico Become a State?
Pros and Cons
Puerto Rico's Only Legally & Constitutionally Viable Political Status Options
Chart explaining differences between territory, state, sovereign nation, and sovereign nation in free association.
The Statehood Process and Political Status of U.S. Territories (CRS July 2022 report)
Economic Benefits of Puerto Rico Statehood [fact sheet]
America's Forgotten Colony: Ending Puerto Rico's Perpetual Crisis
article from Foreign Affairs supporting PR's right to choose a status regardless of the outcome
Let Puerto Rico Be Free
Article from The Atlantic supporting PR independence
Puerto Rico Libre
Article from National Review supporting PR independence.
Will Puerto Rico Become a State? (book chapter)
The 51st State?
Article from History Today magazine. Argues that PR history, power dynamics, and low voter turnouts will defeat statehood efforts.
PR51st
website info supporting PR statehood; includes simplified overviews of all major points
Puerto Rico Report
website info on PR and statehood
Puerto Rico Status Act (H.R. 8393; passed 12/15/2022)
House Passes Bill That Could Pave the Way for Puerto Rican Statehood