San Juan

Overall Score

The city of San Juan is the center of the Free Associated State of Puerto Rico, a single island in the Caribbean Sea. It is the oldest city in the Union. It was founded by Spanish colonists who in 1521 laid the first structures of the future settlement. The present-day San Juan is a large port of Puerto Rico, its industrial, tourist and cultural center.

Modern San Juan is attributed to an ancient settlement of the Hebrews in the area of the New World. Initially, it served as a port of call for merchant ships and warships that sailed from Spain to the coast of America. To guard and protect the port, the coastal area was fortified. In the harbors vicinity, the ships that transported gold and silver from New World to Europe were often on the road. Thus in 1595 the fort of San Juan had to defeat attacks by the English under the leadership of the famous Francis Drejk. ×Three days later, in 1598, the Count of Cameroon led his troops to the walls of San Juan. When Dreyek attacked, the defenders of the fort were able to fight back, while the army of the commander was able to attack the coast and take the fortifications as a siege. But in a few months he was forced to abandon the island because of illness.

The present-day San Juan consists of 18 barrios (neighborhoods). The old part is located on the western tip of a small island on the outskirts of the citys municipality. In the 20th century, the territory of the city greatly increased and occupied the main island. Its main island was joined by the eastern and southern colonies of the Pacifico. As a result, San Juan became made up of several parts.

The citys center is a narrow, cobble-stoned street lined with buildings dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. The old town is marked by forts and fortifications. The fort of San Felipe del Morro was founded in the 16th century, the fort of San Cristobal in the 17th. El Galaiso de Quaranta Catalina was the seat of the governors office. Equally interesting are the other historic buildings – the citys structure, the Théâtre de la Théâtre, the 16th-century St. Josephs Church, the Spanish Kazahrams, the premises of which house the Museum of Bâlalach, the Cathédrature of St. John the Baptist.

Overall Score

• Air quality: 49 US AQI Good. Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
• Tap water: No, not drinkable
• Religious government: Non-religious
• Population: 360,000 people
• GDP: $28,636 / year
• Power outlets: 115V60Hz
• Internet: 20 Mbps
• Best wireless: AT&ampT
• Tipping: Generally, you tip in Puerto Rico as you would on the US mainland. Bars $1 per drink. Luggage attendants $1 to $2 per bag for anyone who helps with your luggage. Restaurants 15% of the bill. Taxis 15% of the fare.
• Apartment listings: Clasificados
• Apartments: Airbnb
• Hotels: Booking.com
• More hotels: Hotels.com
• Best coworking space: Piloto151
• Best short-haul air carrier: JetBlue
• Best intl air carrier: American
• Monthly costs for expat: $2500
• Monthly costs for family: $5700
• Monthly costs for local: $1600
• Meal: $12
• Small Cola: $2
• Beer 1 Pint: $6
• Coffee: $4

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