http://www.puertorico.com/blog/ en 2012-05-14T03:19:11-05:00 hourly 6 2012-05-14T03:19:11-05:00 http://www.puertorico.com/blog/conservation-trust-of-puerto-rico 2012-05-14T03:19:11-05:00 en Editor Features Operating as a private, non-profit organization, the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico (Fideicomiso de Conservación de Puerto Rico) manages a number of the island's environmentally sensitive areas, while promoting the concepts of conservation to schools and the general public through volunteer programs, reforestation projects and various community workshops and events. In this way the Conservation Trust works towards its goal of protecting and enhancing the precious natural resources of Puerto Rico. http://www.puertorico.com/blog/coffee-rum-sugar-and-science-in-puerto-rico 2012-04-30T03:01:14-05:00 en Editor Features Visitors to Puerto Rico will no doubt enjoy at least one of its world famous beverages – rum, piña colada and coffee - while exploring this fascinating Caribbean island. It is interesting to note that two of these products were made more readily available due to the perseverance of Puerto Rican scientists, with the third reaching international markets due to the innovative thinking of Corsican immigrant farmers – all of which strengthened the Puerto Rican economy. http://www.puertorico.com/blog/enjoy-a-day-of-family-fun-at-el-tuque 2012-04-16T04:08:11-05:00 en Editor Features The El Tuque Recreational Complex and beach in the Punta Cucharas sector of Ponce was developed in 2002. It features an aquatic park with three large pools, one of which has waves, a maze of high-speed water slides and a variety of water-related activities. This popular family-oriented park also has a small marina and offers snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, kayaking and boating, while providing all the amenities for a day of relaxation and fun. An associated attraction is the Ponce International Speedway Park which boasts a circuit track and drag-racing track. http://www.puertorico.com/blog/talented-musician-jesus-maria-sanroma 2012-04-02T04:36:54-05:00 en Editor Features Considered by many to be one of the most accomplished pianists of the 20th century, Jesús María Sanromá made his debut in 1913 in the Fajardo Municipal Theater – he was only eleven years old at the time. He went on to play at San Juan's Puerto Rican Ateneo in January 1916, where he was heard by José de Diego, an influential Puerto Rican statesman, journalist, lawyer and poet. Recognizing the incredible talent and potential of the young pianist, de Diego persuaded the Puerto Rican government to give him a grant to develop this talent through musical education in the United States, launching him on a most rewarding career. http://www.puertorico.com/blog/endemic-birds-of-puerto-rico 2012-03-19T03:13:59-05:00 en Editor Features With its variety of habitats and abundance of protected reserves, Puerto Rico has a rich and diverse range of bird species. Of the total of 349 recorded species of birds, 42 have been introduced to the archipelago, 16 are endemic, and 166 are considered to be vagrants, also referred to as "accidental", meaning that they have left their original habitats, found their way to Puerto Rico, and made it their home. While many of the bird species found in Puerto Rico are permanent residents, the majority are migratory, spending winter in the islands before returning to their natural habitat. But no matter what time of the year birding enthusiasts choose to visit Puerto Rico, there is always plenty to see. http://www.puertorico.com/blog/planetarium-planned-for-arecibo-observatory 2012-03-05T02:59:29-06:00 en Editor Features Home to the world's largest single-dish radio telescope, the Arecibo Observatory is one of Puerto Rico's top attractions, receiving around 100,000 visitors each year. Plans to build a state-of-the-art planetarium and hotel are likely to increase the number of visitors to this high-tech facility which has been featured in the movies GoldenEye and Contact. While boosting tourism, the new development will also be promoted for its educational value, with funding for the project coming from several public universities and government agencies. Metropolitan University president Federico Matheu was reported as saying that one of the objectives of the project is to create a doctoral program in astronomy and space science. http://www.puertorico.com/blog/puerto-rican-sea-life 2012-02-20T01:51:11-06:00 en Editor Features Surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, Puerto Rico's waters are full of fascinating marine life. From sea turtles to fish, from whales to sharks, there is plenty for scuba divers and snorkelers to discover while dipping below the surface. Besides the parrotfish, bananafish, sardines, groupers, red snappers, humpback whales and hawksbill turtles, there are many interesting little marine creatures worth discovering. http://www.puertorico.com/blog/residencia-armstrong-poventud-a-valuable-historic-landmark 2012-02-06T02:17:29-06:00 en Editor Features Built in 1899, the Armstrong-Poventud House, also known as the Armstrong-Toro House or Casa de las Cariatides, is a superb example of the distinctive architecture used in the Historic Zone of Ponce in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The house was designed and built by Puerto Rican architect Manuel Victor Domenech for the influential Armstrong-Toro family, becoming a style that would be replicated by other wealthy homeowners at the time. It is located in the town square, opposite the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe and is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, as well as having served as the headquarters for the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture (ICP). http://www.puertorico.com/blog/florencio-morales-ramos-music-to-unite-a-nation 2012-01-23T01:42:30-06:00 en Editor Features Better known as Ramito, singer, composer and trovador Florencio "Flor" Morales Ramos was considered to be the king of Puerto Rican Jibaro music, with his brothers Juan María (better known as Moralito) and Luis (better known as Luisito) also gaining recognition as Jibaro artists in Puerto Rico's music world. Born in a suburb of the city of Caguas on 5 September 1915, Ramito's love for music and talent for singing likely came from his mother, who had been an amateur singer and would sing while working in the sugarcane fields where Ramito worked at various jobs in his youth. http://www.puertorico.com/blog/parque-de-la-abolicion-commemorating-the-end-of-an-era 2012-01-09T01:48:10-06:00 en Editor Features Situated on Avenida Hostos in the city of Ponce, Parque de la Abolición serves as a reminder of Puerto Rico's era of slavery and the eventual abolition of this inhumane practice. Features of the park include a 100-foot tall obelisk which is a prominent landmark in the area. At the foot of the obelisk is a statue of a black male slave with broken chains, illustrating that he had been freed from the chains that once bound him, both literally and figuratively, when slavery was abolished in 1873. In addition to these two inspiring monuments, the park has beautifully landscaped gardens that can be enjoyed by visitors.