Final answer:
El Yunque National Rainforest is a lush tropical wet forest in Puerto Rico known for its biodiversity and heavy rainfall. These forests are vital for their ecological diversity and potential contributions to medicine, exemplified by ecosystems in the Amazon and Congo.
Step-by-step explanation:
The El Yunque National Rainforest is a prime example of a tropical wet forest, which are regions characterized by high species diversity and significant rainfall. These rainforests are found in equatorial regions and receive an annual rainfall ranging from 125 cm to 660 cm (50-200 in). The biodiversity in such ecosystems stands out, with different species of birds, amphibians like el Coqui in Puerto Rico, and dense vegetation resulting from the consistent rainfall. Additionally, the rain shadow effect observed in areas like Jamaica, where the Blue Mountains create a significant difference in rainfall on either side of the island, is an interesting geographical phenomenon influencing these rainforests.
In the context of global geography, tropical wet forests can vary in their specifics, such as the Amazon River basin's forests near Madre de Dios, Peru, or the expansive Congo rainforest in Africa, which is the second largest in the world. Tropical rainforests are not only important for their biodiversity but also because they have been regarded as 'nature's pharmacy' due to their potential in providing new pharmaceuticals.