How Many US Territories Are There? | A Factual Guide

Understanding the full scope of the United States extends beyond the 50 states to include various insular areas, each with unique relationships to the federal government. This exploration helps us grasp the complex tapestry of American governance and its reach across different regions, offering valuable insights into civics and geography.

Defining US Territories: Beyond the 50 States

A US territory is a division of land under the jurisdiction of the United States federal government, but not part of any state or the District of Columbia. These areas possess varying degrees of self-governance, distinct from the sovereign status of states.

The legal status of US territories stems from Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 of the Constitution, known as the Territorial Clause. This clause grants Congress the power to “dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States.”

Territories are generally categorized based on whether they are “incorporated” or “unincorporated,” and “organized” or “unorganized.”

• Incorporated territories are considered integral parts of the United States, meaning the full Constitution applies. Today, there are no incorporated territories. All current US territories are unincorporated.
• Unincorporated territories are areas where only fundamental parts of the Constitution apply, as determined by Congress and judicial rulings known as the Insular Cases. Most constitutional rights extend to residents, but some do not, such as the right to vote in federal elections.
• Organized territories have an Organic Act passed by Congress, which establishes a local government with a degree of self-rule.
• Unorganized territories do not have an Organic Act; their governance is directly managed by Congress or through specific federal agencies.

The Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs oversees federal relations with these territories, working to promote economic and political development.

The Five Permanently Inhabited US Territories

Five US territories are home to permanent populations, each with a distinct political status and relationship with the federal government. These areas represent significant populations with direct ties to the United States.

1. Puerto Rico: A commonwealth located in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico is the largest and most populous US territory. Its residents are US citizens, but they do not vote in presidential elections and have a non-voting Resident Commissioner in the House of Representatives.
2. Guam: Situated in the Western Pacific, Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory. Its strategic location gives it considerable geopolitical importance. Residents are US citizens and elect a non-voting delegate to the House of Representatives.
3. US Virgin Islands: This group of Caribbean islands is an organized, unincorporated territory. Its economy relies heavily on tourism. Residents are US citizens and elect a non-voting delegate to the House of Representatives.
4. American Samoa: Located in the South Pacific, American Samoa is an unorganized, unincorporated territory. Its residents are US nationals, not citizens by birth, though they can become citizens through naturalization. They elect a non-voting delegate to the House of Representatives.
5. Northern Mariana Islands: A commonwealth in the Western Pacific, these islands were part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands before becoming a US commonwealth. Residents are US citizens and elect a non-voting delegate to the House of Representatives.

Puerto Rico: A Commonwealth

Puerto Rico became a US territory following the Spanish-American War in 1898. The Foraker Act of 1900 established its civilian government, and the Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917 granted statutory US citizenship to Puerto Ricans. The territory exercises local self-governance under its own constitution, adopted in 1952. Debates surrounding its political status—statehood, independence, or maintaining commonwealth status—continue to shape its political discourse.

Guam: A Strategic Pacific Hub

Guam also became a US territory in 1898. Its strategic location in the Pacific Ocean makes it a vital military outpost for the United States. The Organic Act of Guam, passed in 1950, provided for a civilian government and granted US citizenship to its indigenous Chamorro people and other residents. Guam plays a critical role in regional security and defense operations.

Major Inhabited US Territories at a Glance

Territory	Capital	Approx. Population (2023)
Puerto Rico	San Juan	3.2 million
Guam	Hagåtña	170,000
US Virgin Islands	Charlotte Amalie	98,000
American Samoa	Pago Pago	44,000
Northern Mariana Islands	Saipan	47,000

Uninhabited US Minor Outlying Islands

In addition to the five permanently inhabited territories, the United States administers nine uninhabited insular areas, collectively known as the US Minor Outlying Islands. These territories serve various purposes, including wildlife refuges, scientific research stations, and military outposts.

• Baker Island: A small, uninhabited atoll in the central Pacific, primarily a national wildlife refuge.
• Howland Island: Another central Pacific atoll, also a national wildlife refuge, known as the destination Amelia Earhart was attempting to reach.
• Jarvis Island: A coral island in the South Pacific, designated as a national wildlife refuge.
• Johnston Atoll: A remote atoll in the North Pacific, formerly a military base, now a wildlife refuge.
• Kingman Reef: A triangular-shaped coral reef in the North Pacific, a national wildlife refuge.
• Midway Atoll: Part of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, known for its historical World War II battle.
• Navassa Island: A small, uninhabited island in the Caribbean, disputed with Haiti, managed as a wildlife refuge.
• Palmyra Atoll: A partially submerged atoll in the North Pacific, privately owned but administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, also a national wildlife refuge.
• Wake Island: An unorganized, unincorporated territory in the Western Pacific, primarily a military base and strategic refueling stop.

These islands, while not home to permanent populations, contribute to the United States’ exclusive economic zone and its global scientific and strategic interests.

Citizenship and Rights in US Territories

The question of citizenship and rights for residents of US territories is a distinct aspect of American civics. The 14th Amendment’s Citizenship Clause declares that “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

For most territories, Congress has extended birthright citizenship through specific statutes. Residents born in Puerto Rico, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands are statutory US citizens. Those born in the Northern Mariana Islands are also US citizens under their commonwealth covenant.

American Samoa stands as an exception. Individuals born in American Samoa are US nationals, meaning they owe allegiance to the United States but are not automatically granted US citizenship. They possess many rights of citizens but cannot vote in federal elections or hold certain federal offices unless they naturalize.

Despite being US citizens or nationals, residents of territories generally do not have the right to vote in US presidential elections. They also lack voting representation in Congress, sending non-voting delegates or a resident commissioner to the House of Representatives. These representatives can participate in committee work and debate but cannot cast votes on the House floor.

Key Dates in US Territorial Acquisitions

Year	Event	Territory/Area Affected
1803	Louisiana Purchase	Vast lands, including future states and territories
1898	Treaty of Paris	Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines (later independent)
1900	Foraker Act	Established civilian government in Puerto Rico
1917	Jones-Shafroth Act	Granted US citizenship to Puerto Ricans
1917	Purchase from Denmark	US Virgin Islands
1950	Organic Act of Guam	Provided civilian government for Guam
1976	Covenant to Establish Commonwealth	Northern Mariana Islands (effective 1986)

Governance and Political Status

The governance structures in US territories reflect their unique political relationships with the federal government. Each of the five inhabited territories has an elected governor and a local legislature, providing a degree of self-rule over internal affairs. The specifics of these structures are defined by federal laws, often an Organic Act, and sometimes by a local constitution.

The federal government maintains oversight through various departments, primarily the Department of the Interior. This department works with territorial governments on matters such as infrastructure, economic development, and federal program administration. The level of federal involvement can vary based on the territory’s organized or unorganized status.

The “Insular Cases,” a series of Supreme Court decisions beginning in 1901, shaped the constitutional relationship between the United States and its unincorporated territories. These rulings established that the Constitution does not fully apply in these territories “of its own force,” meaning Congress has discretion to determine which constitutional provisions apply. This legal framework has been a subject of ongoing academic and political discussion regarding its implications for civil rights and political equality.

Economic and Strategic Significance

US territories contribute to the nation’s economic and strategic interests in various ways. Their economies are diverse, ranging from tourism and agriculture to manufacturing and federal government operations.

Puerto Rico, for instance, has a manufacturing sector, particularly in pharmaceuticals and electronics, alongside tourism. The US Virgin Islands and Guam rely heavily on tourism and military spending. American Samoa’s economy centers on tuna canning and remittances, while the Northern Mariana Islands focus on tourism.

Strategically, territories like Guam and Wake Island serve as critical military installations, projecting US power and presence in the Pacific. These locations are vital for national defense, humanitarian aid, and maintaining international stability. Many of the uninhabited islands are managed as national wildlife refuges, preserving biodiversity and supporting scientific research. These areas also extend the US exclusive economic zone, securing access to valuable marine resources.

Historical Evolution of US Territorial Holdings

The United States’ territorial expansion began early in its history, with acquisitions like the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. This process involved treaties, purchases, and sometimes conflict, shaping the nation’s geographic footprint. The concept of territories as precursors to statehood was central to early American expansion, with many western territories eventually becoming states.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries marked a period of overseas expansion, particularly after the Spanish-American War in 1898. This era brought Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines under US control. The US also acquired the US Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917. These acquisitions introduced a new type of territorial relationship, where statehood was not necessarily the presumed outcome.

The Northern Mariana Islands became a US commonwealth in 1986, following their status as part of the United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands administered by the US after World War II. This historical progression illustrates a shift from continental expansion to managing insular areas with unique political and constitutional frameworks, a topic of continued study in American history and governance.