Miss Puerto Rico Stephanie Del Valle was crowned World 2016 after she edged out more than 100 other beauties from around the globe at beauty pageant's 66th annual installment that took place on Sunday night at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland (US).

Del Valle is the second ever Puerto Rican entrant to win the coveted title, after Wilnelia Merced took the crown in 1975.

The 19-year-old brown-eyed brunette student, who speaks Spanish, English and French, hopes to get into the entertainment industry.

Crowned by Miss World 2015 Mireia Lalaguna of Spain, del Valle called it an "honour and a great responsibility" to represent her Caribbean homeland.

Miss Dominican Republic Yaritza Miguelina Reyes Ramirez was decalred the first runnerup, while the second runnerup was Miss Indonesia Natasha Mannuela.

Contestants from Kenya and Catriona Gray of the Philippines also were in the final five.