White Puerto Rican

White Puerto Ricans

Juan Serralles Colon Francisco Oller Salvador Brau Luis Muñoz Rivera Amalia Paoli Luisa Capetillo Ramón Power y Giralt Juanita Garcia Peraza Pedro Rosselló Sila María Calderón Raymond Arrieta José Feliciano Ivonne Coll Bobby Ramírez Kurtz Chayanne Yolandita Monge Yandel Benicio del Toro Carlos Ponce Juan Dalmau Ramirez Ricky Martin Gina Lynn Dayanara Torres Mónica Puig
Total population
2,825,100 75.8% of the total population (2010 Census)
Regions with significant populations
All regions of Puerto Rico
Languages
Prediminantly Puerto Rican Spanish & English
Religion
Christianity, Catholicism
Related ethnic groups
White Latin American, White Hispanic and Latino Americans, Puerto Rican American, White Mexican, White Dominican

White Puerto Ricans are Puerto Ricans whose ancestry is of predominant European descent, most notably from Spain (especially the Canary Islands). Lesser influences came from France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal, Germany, and Ireland.

As of 2010 US census, people who self-identified as white constituted the majority in Puerto Rico, making up 75.8% of the population. People who identified themselves as being of mixed race origin, predominantly of African and European ancestry, constitute an additional 11.1% of the population.

Census history

An early Census on the island was conducted by Governor Lieutenant General Francisco Manuel de Lando in 1530. An exhaustive 1765 census was taken by Lieutenant General Alexander O'Reilly which (according to some sources) showed 17,572 whites out of a total population of 44,883. The censuses from 1765 to 1887 were taken by the Spanish government who conducted at irregular intervals. The 1899 census was taken by the War Ministry of the United States. Since 1910 Puerto Rico has been included in every decennial census taken by the United States.

European or white population 1530 - 2010 Census
Year	Population	Percent.	R.	Year	Population	Percent.	R.
1530	333a, 426b	8.0-10.0		1887	474,933	59.5
1765	17,572	ND		1897	573,187	64.3
1775	30,709	40.4		1899	589,426	61.8
1787	46,756	45.5		1910	732,555	65.5
1802	78,281	48.0		1920	948,709	73.0
1812	85,662	46.8		1930	1,146,719	74.3
1820	102,432	44.4		1940	1,430,744	76.5
1827	150,311	49.7		1950	1,762,411	79.7
1830	162,311	50.1		2000	3,064,862	80.5
1836	188,869	52.9		2010	2,825,100	75.8
1860	300,406	51.5
1877	411,712	56.3

Spain

Main article: Spanish immigration to Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico was a Spanish colony for nearly 400 years, and can be credited for Puerto Rico's use of the Spanish language, as well as the Roman Catholic religion for most Puerto Ricans. The bulk of Puerto Ricans' European ancestry, is from Spain. In 1899, one year after the U.S invaded and took control of the island, 61.8% of people were identified as White. In the 2010 United States Census the total of Puerto Ricans that identified as White was 75.8%. The European heritage of Puerto Ricans comes primarily from one source: Spaniards (including Canarians, Catalans, Castilians, Galicians, Asturians, and Andalusians) and Basques. Though, the Canary Islands of Spain has had the most influence on Puerto Rico, and is where most Puerto Ricans can trace their European ancestry. It is estimated up to 82% of White Puerto Ricans descend primarily from Canarian people.

North African influence comes from Spain being ruled by Moorish Muslims for nearly 800 years, from about 711 AD until the end of the Reconquista in 1469. Also, Canarians are partially descended from North African Berbers.

Canarian influence

The first wave of Canarian migration to Puerto Rico seems to be in 1695, followed by others in 1714, 1720, 1731, and 1797. The number of Canarians that immigrated to Puerto Rico in the first three centuries of Iberian rule is not known to any degree of precision. Still and all, Dr. Estela Cifre de Loubriel and other scholars of the Canarian migration to America, such as Dr. Manuel González Hernández of the University of La Laguna, Tenerife, agree that they formed the bulk of the Jíbaro or white peasant stock of the mountainous interior of the island.

The Isleños increased their commercial traffic and immigration to the two remaining Spanish colonies in America, Puerto Rico and Cuba. Even after the Spanish–American War of 1898, Canarian immigration to the Americas continued. Successive waves of Canarian immigration continued to arrive in Puerto Rico, where entire villages were founded by relocated islanders.

In the 1860s, Canarian immigration to America took place at the rate of over 2,000 per year, at a time when the total island population was 237,036. In the two year period 1885-1886, more than 4,500 Canarians emigrated to Spanish possessions, with only 150 to Puerto Rico. Between 1891 and 1895 Canarian immigrants to Puerto Rico numbered 600. These are official figures; when illegal or concealed emigration is taken into account, the numbers would be much larger.

The Canarian cultural influence in Puerto Rico is one of the most important components in that many villages were founded by these immigrants, starting in 1493 until 1890 and beyond. Many Spaniards, especially Canarians, chose Puerto Rico because of its Hispanic ties and relative proximity in comparison with other former Spanish colonies. They searched for security and stability in an environment similar to that of the Canary Islands and Puerto Rico was the most suitable. This began as a temporary exile which became a permanent relocation and the last significant wave of Spanish or European migration to Puerto Rico.

Royal Decree of Graces of 1815

Main article: Royal Decree of Graces of 1815

Royal Decree of Graces, 1815

By 1825, the Spanish Empire had lost all of its territories in the Americas with the exception of Cuba and Puerto Rico. These two possessions, however, had been demanding more autonomy since the formation of pro-independence movements in 1808. Realizing that it was in danger of losing its two remaining Caribbean territories, the Spanish Crown revived the Royal Decree of Graces of 1815.

The decree was printed in three languages—Spanish, French, and English—intending to attract Europeans of non-Spanish origin, with the hope that the independence movements would lose their popularity and strength with the arrival of new settlers.

Under the Spanish Royal Decree of Graces, immigrants were granted land and initially given a "Letter of Domicile" after swearing loyalty to the Spanish Crown and allegiance to the Catholic Church. After five years they could request a "Letter of Naturalization" that would make them Spanish subjects. The Royal Decree was intended for non-Hispanic Europeans and not Asians nor people that were not Christian.

In 1897, the Spanish Cortés also granted Puerto Rico a Charter of Autonomy, which recognized the island's sovereignty and right to self-government. By April 1898, the first Puerto Rican legislature was elected and called to order.

Corsica

Main article: Corsican immigration to Puerto Rico

Type of steamship in which Corsicans arrived in Puerto Rico

The island of Puerto Rico is very similar in geography to the island of Corsica and therefore appealed to the many Corsicans who wanted to start a "new" life. Hundreds of Corsicans and their families immigrated to Puerto Rico from as early as 1830, and their numbers peaked in the early 1900s. The first Spanish settlers settled and owned the land in the coastal areas, the Corsicans tended to settle the mountainous southwestern region of the island, primary in the towns of Adjuntas, Lares, Utuado, Ponce, Coamo, Yauco, Guayanilla and Guánica. However, it was Yauco whose rich agricultural area attracted the majority of the Corsican settlers. The three main crops in Yauco were coffee, sugar cane and tobacco. The new settlers dedicated themselves to the cultivation of these crops and within a short period of time some were even able to own and operate their own grocery stores. However, it was with the cultivation of the coffee bean that they would make their fortunes. The descendants of the Corsican settlers were also to become influential in the fields of education, literature, journalism and politics.

Today the town of Yauco is known as both the "Corsican Town" and "The Coffee Town". There's a memorial in Yauco with the inscription, "To the memory of our citizens of Corsican origin, France, who in the C19 became rooted in our village, who have enriched our culture with their traditions and helped our progress with their dedicated work - the municipality of Yauco pays them homage." The Corsican element of Puerto Rico is very much in evidence, Corsican surnames such as Paoli, Negroni and Fraticelli are common.

France

Main article: French immigration to Puerto Rico

Many citizens of France fled Haiti after the Battle of Vertières and settled in Puerto Rico

The French immigration to Puerto Rico began as a result of the economic and political situations which occurred in various places such as Louisiana (USA) and Saint-Domingue (Haiti). Upon the outbreak of the French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Years' War (1754–1763), between the Kingdom of Great Britain and its North American Colonies against France, many of the French settlers fled to Puerto Rico. French immigration from mainland France and its territories to Puerto Rico was the largest in number, second only to Spanish immigrants and today a great number of Puerto Ricans can claim French ancestry; 16 percent of the surnames on the island are either French or French-Corsican.

Their influence in Puerto Rican culture is very much present and in evidence in the island's cuisine, literature and arts. Their contributions can be found, but are not limited to, the fields of education, commerce, politics, science and entertainment.

Germany

Main article: German immigration to Puerto Rico

Iglesia Santísima Trinidad of Ponce

German immigrants arrived in Puerto Rico from Curaçao and Austria during the early 19th century. Many of these early German immigrants established warehouses and businesses in the coastal towns of Fajardo, Arroyo, Ponce, Mayaguez, Cabo Rojo and Aguadilla. One of the reasons that these businessmen established themselves in the island was that Germany depended mostly on Great Britain for such products as coffee, sugar and tobacco. By establishing businesses dedicated to the exportation and importation of these and other goods, Germany no longer had to pay the high tariffs which the English charged them. Not all of the immigrants were businessmen; some were teachers, farmers and skilled laborers.

In Germany the European Revolutions of 1848 in the German states erupted, leading to the Frankfurt Parliament. Ultimately, the rather non-violent "revolution" failed. Disappointed, many Germans immigrated to the Americas, including Puerto Rico, and were dubbed the Forty-Eighters. The majority of these came from Alsace-Lorraine, Baden, Hesse, Rheinland and Württemberg. German immigrants were able to settle in the coastal areas and establish their businesses in towns such as Fajardo, Arroyo, Ponce, Mayagüez, Cabo Rojo and Aguadilla. Those who expected free land under the terms of the Spanish Royal Decree, settled in the central mountainous areas of the island in towns such as Adjuntas, Aibonito and Ciales among others. They made their living in the agricultural sector and in some cases became owners of sugar cane plantations. Others dedicated themselves to the fishing industry.

In 1870, the Spanish Courts passed the Acta de Culto Condicionado (Conditional Cult Act), a law granting the right of religious freedom to all those who wished to worship another religion other than the Catholic religion. The Anglican Church, the Iglesia Santísima Trinidad, was founded by German and English immigrants in Ponce in 1872.

By the beginning of the 20th century, many of the descendants of the first German settlers had become successful businessmen, educators, and scientists and were among the pioneers of Puerto Rico's television industry. Among the successful businesses established by the German immigrants in Puerto Rico were Mullenhoff & Korber, Frite, Lundt & Co., Max Meyer & Co. and Feddersen Willenk & Co. Korber Group Inc., one of Puerto Rico's largest advertising agencies, was founded by the descendants of William Korber.

Ireland

Main article: Irish immigration to Puerto Rico

Plaque honoring Ramon Power y Giralt in San German, Puerto Rico

From the 16th to the 19th century, there was considerable Irish immigration to Puerto Rico, for a number of reasons. During the 16th century many Irishmen, who were known as "Wild Geese", fled the English Army and joined the Spanish Army. Some of these men were stationed in Puerto Rico and remained there after their military service to Spain was completed. During the 18th century men such as Field Marshal Alejandro O'Reilly and Colonel Tomas O'Daly were sent to the island to revamp the capital's fortifications. O'Reilly was later appointed governor of colonial Louisiana in 1769 where he became known as "Bloody O'Reilly". Irish immigrants played an instrumental role in the island's economy. One of the most important industries of the island was the sugar industry. Besides Tomás O'Daly, whose plantation was a success, other Irishmen became successful businessmen in this industry, among them Miguel Conway, who owned a plantation in the town of Hatillo and Juan Nagle whose plantation was located in Río Piedras. Puerto Ricans of Irish descent also played an instrumental role in the development of the island's tobacco industry. Miguel Conboy is credited with being the founder of the tobacco trade in Puerto Rico and the Quinlan family established two tobacco plantations, one in the town of Toa Baja and the other in Loíza.

The Irish element in Puerto Rico is very much in evidence. Their contributions to Puerto Rico's agricultural industry and to the field of politics and education are highly notable.

The Jews

Main article: Jewish immigration to Puerto Rico

Inside Sha'are Zedeck

Even though the first Jews who arrived and settled in Puerto Rico were "Crypto-Jews" or "secret Jews", the Jewish community did not flurish in the island until after the Spanish–American War. Jewish-American soldiers were assigned to the military bases in Puerto Rico and many chose to stay and live on the island. Large numbers of Jewish immigrants began to arrive in Puerto Rico in the 1930s as refugees from Nazi occupied Europe. The majority settled in the island's capital, San Juan, where in 1942 they established the first Jewish Community Center of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is home to the largest and wealthiest Jewish community in the Caribbean with almost 3,000 Jewish inhabitants. Puerto Rican Jews have made many contributions to the Puerto Rican way of life. Their contributions can be found, but are not limited to, the fields of education, commerce and entertainment. Among the many successful businesses which they have established are Supermercados Pueblo (Pueblo Supermarkets), Almacenes Kress (clothing store), Doral Bank, Pitusa and Me Salve.

Other immigration sources

Other sources of European populations are Basques, Portuguese (especially Azoreans), Italians, Greeks, Maltese, Scots, Dutch, English, Danes, Lebanese, and Jews. Further sources include white populations originating from New World countries like the United States and Cuba.

'Blanqueamiento' in Puerto Rico

Under Spanish and American rule, Puerto Rico underwent a whitening process or "blanqueamiento". Puerto Rico went from being two-thirds black and mulatto in the beginning of the 19th century, to being nearly 80% white by the middle of the 20th century, which was largely due to the Royal Decree of Graces of 1815 and the Regla del Sacar laws. Under Spanish rule, Puerto Rico had laws such as Regla del Sacar or Gracias al Sacar, which made persons of mixed African-European ancestry to be classified as white, which was the opposite of "one-drop rule" in US society after the American Civil War. Though, most Puerto Ricans self-identify as white, few are of purely European ancestry, with many also having Taino and African ancestry present. Studies have shown that the ancestry of the "average" white Puerto Rican person is about 64% European, 21% African, and 15% Taino/Amerindian, with European ancestry strongest on the west side of the island, African ancestry strongest on the east side, and consistent levels of Taino ancestry throughout the island. In fact, even though 75% of Puerto Ricans self-identify as white, it is estimated only about 25% are of nearly pure European ancestry with little to no non-European admixture.

Population by Municipalities in the 2010 Census

Alejandro Javier García Padilla is the current Governor of Puerto Rico.

Hon. Carmen Yulín Cruz Soto is the current mayor of San Juan.

Main article: Municipalities of Puerto Rico

The population who self-identified as white in the census by municipality is as follows:

• Adjuntas 93.1%
• Aguada 86.6%
• Aguadilla
• Aguas Buenas 72.5%
• Aibonito 83.5%
• Añasco 82.0%
• Arecibo 84.5%
• Arroyo 53.5%
• Barceloneta 80.7%
• Barranquitas 86.0%
• Bayamón 78.3%
• Cabo Rojo 84.1%
• Caguas 76.1%
• Camuy 87.9%
• Canóvanas 61.2%
• Carolina 64.3%
• Cataño 70.7%
• Cayey 79.9%
• Ceiba 70.6%
• Ciales 89.5%
• Cidra 76.6%
• Coamo 76.8%
• Comerío 78.6%
• Corozal 85.4%
• Culebra 56.9%
• Dorado 69.5%
• Fajardo 64.8%
• Florida 90.4%
• Guánica 79.9%
• Guayama 68.2%
• Guayanilla 81.9%
• Guaynabo 79.4%
• Gurabo 72.5%
• Hatillo 87.3%
• Hormigueros 81.2%
• Humacao 66.1%
• Isabela 83.4%
• Jayuya 90.7%
• Juana Díaz 75.3%
• Juncos 71.7%
• Lajas 80.6%
• Lares 91.1%
• Las Marías 86.3%
• Las Piedras 70.5%
• Loíza 26.5%
• Luquillo 65.5%
• Manatí 81.8%
• Maricao 89.2%
• Maunabo 47.9%
• Mayagüez 78.7%
• Moca 89.5%
• Morovis 88.4%
• Naguabo 71.1%
• Naranjito 84.2%
• Orocovis 86.7%
• Patillas 61.7%
• Peñuelas 81.8%
• Ponce 82.0%
• Quebradillas 89.2%
• Rincón 85.7%
• Río Grande 61.9%
• Sabana Grande 85.3%
• Salinas 67.4%
• San Germán 83.4%
• San Juan 68.0%
• San Lorenzo 76.1%
• San Sebastián 88.5%
• Santa Isabel 73.0%
• Toa Alta 76.3%
• Toa Baja 70.2%
• Trujillo Alto 72.1%
• Utuado 92.7%
• Vega Alta 71.2%
• Vega Baja 77.3%
• Vieques 58.7%
• Villalba 82.1%
• Yabucoa 65.6%
• Yauco 83.0%

See also

• White people
• White Hispanic and Latino Americans
• White Latin American
• Spanish people
• Puerto Rican people
• Isleño
• Cultural diversity in Puerto Rico
• Racial Passing
• History of women in Puerto Rico