In many countries where the economy has shifted from mainly agricultural to
industrial, abandoned agricultural lands are lost to urbanization. For mor
e than 4 centuries the Puerto Rican economy depended almost entirely on agr
iculture, but sociopolitical changes early in the 20(th) century resulted i
n a shift to industry. This shift in the economy, and an increase in popula
tion, has resulted in an increase in urban areas. This study describes the
rate and distribution of urban growth on the island of Puerto Rico from 197
7 to 1994 and the resulting influence on potential agricultural lands. Urba
n extent and growth were determined by interpreting aerial photographs and
satellite imagery. The 1994 urban coverage was combined with a soil coverag
e based on agricultural potential to determine the distribution of urban ar
eas relative to potential farmlands. Analyses showed that in 1977, 11.3% of
Puerto Rico was classified as urban. After 17 years, urban areas had incre
ased by 27.4% and urban growth on soils suitable for agriculture had increa
sed by 41.6%. This represents a loss of 6% of potential agricultural lands.
If this pattern of encroachment by urban growth into potential farmlands c
ontinues, Puerto Rico's potential for food production in the future could b
e greatly limited.