A Lighthouse in Old San Juan The island of Puerto Rico was discovered by Christopher Columbus on November 19, 1493. Fishing and farming, about 60,000 Indians lived in the Island according Columbus. After then, Puerto Rico became an important military base of Spain in the Caribbean, where the city San Juan is the Capital. This is one of many lighthouses in defense castles, facing the Atlantic Ocean and San Juan Bay. Such a lighthouse is an unique historical symbol of this Island. In 1809, Puerto Rico was established as an overseas province of Spain. In 1868, Puerto Rico residents started to fight against the Spanish ruling. In 1898, Puerto Rico became a territory of US after the Spanish-American war. In 1917 the US Congress granted Puerto Ricans U.S. citizenships. In 1952, Puerto Rico was declared a semi-autonomous commonwealth territory of US.

Plazuela de la Rogativa This bronze sculpture presents a bishop and three women carrying torches. The legend story says that they frightened away British troops during a 1797 attack of the city.

The Capitol Building The capitol building was established in 1929 for the Senate and House of the Representatives. Facing the Atlantic Ocean, the white building is located at the entrance of the Old San Juan.

The Old Man and the Sea Facing the Capitol Building and standing behind the Atlantic Ocean, this old man points his finger to the sky, the fairness.

New San Juan A view from the Old San Juan to the New San Juan.

Artilleries Santa Barbara El Morro fort is a single military castle rising 140 feet above the see. The Artilleries Santa Barbara are located on the 4th level. The lighthouse in the picture was the first one built in Puerto Rico in 1843, and was restored by US forces in 1908 and by the Puerto Rico National Park Service in 1992.

Atlantic Ocean Spanish military engineers started to build EL Morro fort in 1539 to protect the entrance to San Juan harbor. Under frequent attacks from English, French and Dutch, this six level castle was continually enlarged in the 17th and 18th centuries. This is a view of the Atlantic Ocean fron the El Morro fort.

A Castle Section for Foot Soldiers Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the San Juan Bat, the military castle was built between 1540 and 1783 to keep enemies out of San Juan.

A Castle Section Facing the San Juan Bay The San Juan city can be remotely viewed from here.

Trees on the Castle Dense tropical plants enjoy the Sun shine and ocean wind.

Double National Flags The Puerto Rico National Flag and the US National flag on top of the Castle reflect the uniqueness of this island.

University of Puerto Rico The University was founded in 1903. The campus is truly beautiful. The Botanical Garden of the University was built in 1971, which serves as a educational and culture center. There are many unique gardens inside the Garden. One special garden is called Monet Garden. In 1883, Claude Monet builts his residence in Giverny, about 40 miles from Paris. He also planted his own garden where he made many his paintings. The design of the Garden here follows the same style and the landscape of the real Monet Garden but implemented by the local tropical plants. This garden also provides a place for University art students and local artists to work.

Isla Verde Beach Almost all the beaches in Puerto Rico are open to public. This view of the Isla Verda Beach gives a combining flavor of the nature and businesses.

Ponce in the Southeast Founded in 1692, Ponce is Puerto Rico's second largest city. The Museum of Art is the best gallery in Puerto Rico, which exhibits a fine collection of more than 850 paintings, 800 sculptures and 500 prints of classical, modern and folk arts. The city has a population of 200,000.

La Mina Falls El Yunque Caribbean National Forest is a rain forest receiving over 100 billion gallons of annual rainfall and harboring more than 240 tree species. The La Mina waterfall is one of many natural attractions in the National Forest.