Climate:.
Puerto Rico's pleasant climate makes the island a very popular spot. The climate also provides good conditions for growing crops. Temperatures average about 73 degrees F. in January and 80 degrees F. in July. Frost and snow never occur, and even hail is rare. Sea breezes make the climate much more comfortable in summer than it is the the central United States.
In many parts of the island, some rain falls nearly every day. The rainfall is usually heavy, but it lasts only a short time. The drier sections of the southern coast average 37 inches of rain a year.
People in Puerto Rica must be alert for hurricanes from June through November. Severe hurricanes occur only once every ten years, on average. Storms are predicted hours or even days in advance by the National Weather Service. The storm warnings are announced by newspapers, radio, and T.V. so that people have time to take shelter in strong buildings.
The highest temperature ever recorded in Puerto Rico was 103 degrees F. in San Lorenzo on August 22, 1906. The lowest temperature was 40 degrees F. in Aibonito on March 9, 1911.
Economy:.
Manufacturing is the single most valuable industry in Puerto Rico. Another valuable industry in tourism. More than 1.5 million tourists visit Puerto Rico every year. Most of them come from the United States and spend an estimated $1.5 billion a year in Puerto Rico. Part of the reason why tourists are attracted to Puerto Rico is due to the nice weather. The warm, moist climate also allows Puerto Ricans to grow tropical crops that can't be grown in the United States. These crops that include sugar cane, bananas and coffee beans also provide year-round steady jobs and valuable exports for the economy. An estimated 40 percent of the countries farm workers are employed in the bean business. Fishing also pitches in for the economy. Puerto Rico averages nearly 9 million dollars in fish caught a year. Their most valuable catch is said to be the delicious lobster.
