Produced in the same year as the approval of the Constitution of Puerto Rico, which was modified and ratified by the U.S. Congress and President Truman and proclaimed by Puerto Rican Governor Muñoz Marin on July 25, a date which commemorated the landing of U.S. Troops in Puerto Rico effectively marking the end of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Rico lies some one thousand miles southeast of Miami, Florida, and has a rich history as one of the most essential trade hubs for goods traveling from North and South America to European markets. Puerto Rico came under Spanish Colonial rule from 1493 to 1898, and the local culture has developed into a blend of Spanish and Indigenous traditions that remains a vibrant and unique heritage. By the time the United States created this map, there had been several attempts at independence for Puerto Rico or statehood in the United States. However, these efforts largely failed; the island remains the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The island also remains a strategic base for the United States Navy, which maintains a strong presence in the region to protect the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean waters. Another reason for the military presence was to protect vessels traveling to the Panama Canal. This map features a distinctive aesthetic and crisp style indicative of U.S. Geological Survey maps that are created and utilized by political and military leaders to develop and implement policy as well as evaluate geopolitical boundaries and is an authentic piece of American cartographical history.
