Discovery Series Ornament – Puerto Rico
The Starbucks Discovery Series Ornament Puerto Rico brings together several images that capture the island’s tropical landscapes, historic architecture, and strong connection to the sea. Puerto Rico’s culture developed from a mixture of Taíno, Spanish, African, and later Caribbean and American influences, with the island becoming a Spanish colony following Christopher Columbus’s arrival in 1493. Today, Puerto Rico is known for its distinctive culture, beautiful natural scenery, and historic cities.
– Puerto Rico surfing appears among the symbols on the ornament, reflecting the island’s long coastline and excellent surfing conditions. The northwestern coast, particularly around Rincón and Aguadilla, is famous for its beaches and powerful Atlantic waves, attracting surfers from Puerto Rico and around the world. Surfing has become an important part of the island’s coastal culture, with winter swells creating some of the best conditions.
– The Puerto Rican amazon (Amazona vittata) is one of Puerto Rico’s most recognizable native birds and one of the world’s most endangered parrots. Once found across much of the island, its population was reduced to critically low numbers by habitat loss and other threats. Conservation efforts have helped the species recover, although it remains protected and closely monitored. Its bright green plumage and distinctive red forehead make it an especially fitting symbol of Puerto Rico’s natural heritage.
– Cascada La Mina is one of Puerto Rico’s best-known waterfalls. Located in El Yunque National Forest, the waterfall drops into a natural pool surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and was once one of the most popular attractions in the forest. La Mina is part of a much larger network of rivers and waterfalls found throughout Puerto Rico’s mountainous interior. Other notable waterfalls include La Coca Falls, also in El Yunque, as well as Gozalandia Falls near San Sebastián and Charco Azul in the municipality of Patillas. These waterfalls are a reminder of the island’s abundant rainfall and mountainous terrain, which create countless streams, pools, and cascades.
– The maga (Thespesia grandiflora), also known as maga colorada or “red-colored maga,” is a flowering tree native to Puerto Rico. Its large, showy flowers range from pink to deep reddish tones, making it a familiar sight in gardens and landscapes across the island. The maga is also the national flower of Puerto Rico and has become an important symbol of the island’s tropical flora.
– Finally, the colorful buildings of Old San Juan bring a distinctly urban and historic element to the design. The old city’s streets are lined with brightly painted Spanish colonial buildings, many featuring ornate ironwork and traditional wooden balconies. These historic facades, together with the narrow cobblestone streets, give Old San Juan its distinctive character and reflect the city’s centuries-old Spanish heritage.
