They are represented in Congress by a Resident Commissioner who has a voice in the House of Representatives but no vote. Most federal taxes are not levied in Puerto Rico. No federal income tax is collected from island residents on ordinary income, except in cases of Federal employees. Puerto Rico measaures 100 miles by 35 miles with an area of 3,464 square miles. Topography varies from coastal flatlands to mounainous central highlands.
Trade winds ensure year-round subtropical weather.
The average temperature is 74 degrees F., however, highland areas are cooler. Rainfall is abundant along the north coast and in the highlands, light along the south coast. Puerto Rico has 3.6 million people - the great majority of which are US citizens. Today, Island residents live in substantial middle-class circumstances, characterized by modern urban services and amenites. About 2.7 million Puerto Ricans also reside on the US Mainland.