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U.S. Territories and Possessions

species of insects also thrive in its cli- mate. Many kinds of fish and sea crea- tures can be found in the waters that surround the island. Perhaps Puerto Rico’s most famous animal is the coquí, a tiny tree frog named for the sound it makes (“ko-kee”).

ment started an initiative to plant more trees. The U.S., which now con- trols the island, has also made efforts to protect Puerto Rico’s forests. The destruction of forests has not meant the destruction of animal life, however. Puerto Rico is home to more than 200 species of birds. Many

Words to Understand in This Chapter

Arawak— name for a group of Native American tribes that migrated from South America to various Caribbean islands before the arrival of Europeans. Carib— a Native American tribe that lived on the coast of South America and attacked the Arawak on Caribbean islands. The word Caribbean is derived from their name. component— one part of something. creole— a term used during the Spanish colonial era to describe a person of Spanish descent who was born in the colony, not in Spain. indigenous— something that is produced or occurs naturally in a certain area. This word mestizo— a Spanish word for a person of mixed heritage, usually Spanish and native. Nuyorican— combines New York and Puerto Rican, used to describe people or things that blend New York City culture with Puerto Rican culture. offshoot— a branch or group that descends from a larger family or social group. Taino— a Native American tribe of the Caribbean region that spoke the Arawak language. tax break— a savings on taxes owed provided by a government. can be used to describe people who are native to a certain region. infrastructure— basic resources or systems a country needs to function.