When Christopher Columbus landed in Puerto Rico in 1493, he named the island "San Juan Bautista" in honor of John the Baptist. In 1508, the Spanish government appointed Juan Ponce de Leon as the first governor of the island. He founded Pueblo Viejo, - the original settlement which became Spain's most important military outpost in the Caribbean. The original settlement was relocated a year later to a coastal islet close by the site now presently called Old San Juan.
San Juan is the capital city of Puerto Rico and considered to be the most populous city in Puerto Rico. It was founded in 1521 by Juan Ponce de Leon who later named it city of Puerto Rico which means "rich port".
Puerto Rico's capital city is known to be the oldest city under U.S. jurisdiction although some agree that St. Augustine, Florida, founded in 1565 in the U.S. continent is the oldest city.
At present, San Juan is known as the walled city and is one of the best and biggest natural harbors in the Caribbean, and also known as the 2nd oldest European-founded city in the Americas. San Juan flag was officially adopted on March 8, 1948. The flag displays the coat of arms symbol of the city in the center of it.
Being known as the walled city, it expanded its walled confines in the 20th century which included Santurce, Condado, Miramar, Rio Piedras and Hato Rey.
The San Juan metropolitan area has also 3 distinct areas; - the Old San Juan, the beach/resort area and other communities like Rio Piedras, Santurce, Hato Rey and Puerta de Tierra. Metropolitan areas of San Juan has large facilities for the production of petroleum, sugar, brewing and distillery, cement, metal products, clothing, pharmaceuticals and tobacco, making San Juan as the largest processing center in the island.
San Juan is as well the country's financial capital where many U.S. banks and corporations hold offices and distributing centers there.
It is also one of the busiest port in the Caribbean, the center of Caribbean shipping and the 2nd largest sea port in the area.
Tourism wise, there are lots of points of interest worth visiting in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Some highlights to visit are; the Old San Juan, the Forts, Parks, museums, historical buildings and landmarks, and other festivals and events.
As a tourist, it will be up to you to discover when you visit. Every tourist spot has its own rich historical past to tell. So pack your cameras and journals when you're planning to step on San Juan. A day or two of a visit wouldn't be enough! So plan your length of stay as well! :)
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