The island of Puerto Rico, a jewel in the Atlantic Ocean, with the magnificent city of San Juan is a major tourist attraction.
San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico. The city, which was founded in 1521, is situated in the north-east of the island and is the financial, cultural and tourist centre of Puerto Rico. The old town is situated on a small island and is connected by bridges to the rest of the city. Most of the buildings in the old town are from the 16th and 17th centuries.
The oldest part of the city is actually enclosed by a wall with a number of forts, the most famous of which are El Morro and San Cristobal. The fort of La Fortaleza is also worth a visit. It is now used as the governor’s mansion. Another important sight is the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista, which contains the tomb of the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon.