When one thinks of the United States, one often thinks of the fifty states plus Washington, D.C. But there are many more territories of the United States (5 of which are permanently inhabited). These are often the legacies of the American expansions of the 1800s and are often too small to become states and unwilling, too strategic, unviable, or some other combination of reasons to become independent.
In the past, America had many more territories but these either went on to become states (like Hawaii and Alaska) or independent nations (like the Philippines, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau).
About American Territories
There are a number of sub-national administrative divisions that are overseen by the federal government and (unlike states) are not sovereign entities (as was stated by the Supreme Court in the 2016 ruling Puerto Rico v Sanchez Valle). Federally recognized Native American tribes are also seen as "dependent sovereign nations".
Fun Fact: At The Time Of The Raid On Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Was A Territory and Not a State of the USA
Guantanamo Bay: Is a Naval Base Not a Territory
U.S. territories are under American sovereignty and in some ways may be treated as part of the United States proper, but in other ways, they are not treated as part of the United States. In short, it's complicated.
The Territories of the United States
The United States has three territories in the Caribbean and eleven in the Pacific Ocean. Some of these territories are incredibly far-flung in the middle of the ocean and are tropical island paradises.
America Samoa: Unincorporated, Unorganized Territory
Northern Mariana Islands: Unincorporated, Organized Territory (Commonwealth)
Guam: Unincorporated, Organized Territory
U.S. Virgin Islands: Unincorporated, Organized Territory
Puerto Rice: Unincorporated, Organized Territory (Commonwealth)
Other uninhabited minor territories include:
Baker Island, Howland Island, & Jarvis Island: South Pacific, Annexed in 1939 and Administered Under The Interior Department
Johnston Atoll: North Pacific
Kingman Reef: Under the Administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
Midway Atoll: North Pacific, A National Wildlife Refuge
Navassa Island: the Caribbean, Also Claimed By Haiti
Palmyra Atoll: North Pacific, Managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service
Wake Island: North Pacific, Also Claimed by The Marshall Islands
Another two territories are claimed by the United States but controlled by Colombia. The International Court of Justice upheld Colombia's claim that the United States does not recognize. These are Bajo Nuevo Bank and Serranilla Bank.
Five Permanently Inhabited Territories
Puerto Rico:
This is by far the most populous territory and becoming a fully-fledged state is always a matter of debate on the island. It is an unincorporated territory of the United States around 1,000 miles southeast of Miami. Both Spanish and English are official languages on the island although Spanish is the main language.
San Juan: The Capital and Largest City
Population: 3.2 Million
Ceded: It Was Ceded by Spain In 1899
U.S. Virgin Islands:
The United States purchased these islands from Denmark in 1917 for $25 million and they remain an organized, unincorporated US territory today. After it was acquired by the USA, it was renamed the islands from the Danish West Indies. These islands are made up of the main islands of Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas together with another 50 minor outlying islands. They are just west of the British Virgin Islands and like other Caribbean islands, are popular holiday destinations.
Population: 87,000
Capital: Charlotte
Guam:
Guam is an island in Micronesia known for its large military presence on the island. It is the westernmost point of the United States and the largest of the Mariana Islands (plus the largest island in Micronesia). The native people are the Chamoru and are related to the Austronesian peoples of the greater region. It was colonized by Spain but ceded in the Spanish-American War in 1899.
Capital: Hagåtña
Population: 170,000
American Samoa:
To go to American Samoa, even Americans need to take their passports. Is the result of claims between the US, Germany, and Britain in the 1800s that resulted in the partitioning of Samoa. While the rest of Samoa is today an independent nation, American Samoa remains an American territory (and both are worth visiting).
Population: 46,000
Main Settlement: Pago Pago
The Northern Mariana Islands:
The other permanently inhabited American territory is the Northern Mariana Islands. It is made up of 14 islands in the Pacific Ocean. The archipelago includes Guam although Guam is administered as a separate American territory. The majority of the population lives on the island of Saipan as well as Tinian and Rota (people may recognize Saipan from the 2002 movie Windtalkers).
Population: 47,000
Main Settlement: Capital Hill in Northwestern Saipan