Puerto Rico is an island located between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic. It is approximately three times the size of Rhode Island. An extremely interesting fact about Puerto Rico is that it is close to the deepest submarine depression in the North Atlantic Ocean – called The Puerto Rico Trench. The deepest point in the Atlantic Ocean, the Milwaukee Depth, lies within the Puerto Rico Trench. It reaches a depth of 27,493 feet (8,380 meters) in the western end of the trench, about 100 miles (160 km) northwest of Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rico Trench appears to be part of a complex system of sinistral strike-slip faults in the north Caribbean; the trench seems to have been opened continuously for about 70 million years. It is partially filled with sediments.

There are a lot of different things to do on Puerto Rico and places to go. Of course, there are the beautiful, white sand beaches and crystal clear blue water. For a slightly different flavor, however, the island offers other activities, some usual, some unusual. One of the unusual, but popular, attractions on Puerto Rico is Cock Fighting. Cockfighting pits are circular with a matted stage about 20 feet (6 meters) in diameter and surrounded by a barrier to keep the birds from falling off. The main matches usually consist of fights between an agreed-upon numbers of pairs of birds. The majority of victories decide the main, but there are the two other varieties that arouse the particular ire of moralists and animal rights activists. Cocks usually are put to the main when between one and two years of age. Later, although some fights still are to an absolute finish, rules have sometimes permitted the withdrawal at any time of a badly damaged cock. Other rules fix a time limit for each fight. At all mains, the judges' word is absolute law, even as to gambling. This sport is proof of the cultural differences that may occur between the United States and other areas.

Horse lovers will want to take a relaxing ride along the island's many trails, beaches and parks. Puerto Rico has its own unique breed of horses -- the Paso Fino horse -- a beautiful, naturally-gaited horse whose exact origins are uncertain. Some Spanish authorities feel that the horse is a descendent of the Berber, the Andalusian and the extinct Spanish Jennet. What is known is that in 1510, Captain Martin de Salazar brought some horses under the orders of Puerto Rico's first governor, Don Juan Ponce de León. The Puerto Rican Paso Fino is the most well known and has been developed as a show horse with a great deal of style. Today The Paso Fino's are used in all equine disciplines and are unequaled when it comes to the luxurious ride that they produce. There are over 7,000 registered paso fino horses on the island and many special events and competitions are held throughout the year which is well worth attending. The two best known are the Dulce Sueño Fair, Guayama, the first weekend in Mar, and the Fiesta La Candelaria, Manatí, the first weekend in February. Riding instruction and rentals are available at the Equestrian Center and Hacienda Carabali.