How Many Territories Does the United States Have? 16
The United States, a vast and diverse country, encompasses not only the contiguous 48 states but also a number of territories scattered across various regions. One might wonder, how many territories does the United States have? The answer is 16. These territories, while not part of the 48 states, play a significant role in the cultural, political, and economic fabric of the nation.
The 16 territories of the United States are:
1. American Samoa
2. Guam
3. Northern Mariana Islands
4. Puerto Rico
5. U.S. Virgin Islands
6. Wake Island
7. Midway Atoll
8. Johnston Atoll
9. Baker Island
10. Howland Island
11. Jarvis Island
12. Palmyra Atoll
13. Kingman Reef
14. Wake Atoll
15. Navassa Island
16. US Pacific Remote Islands
These territories vary in size, population, and political status. Some, like Puerto Rico and Guam, have a significant population and are self-governing entities, while others are remote and inhabited by only a few people.
American Samoa, located in the South Pacific, is an unincorporated territory of the United States. It has a unique culture and history, with a population of around 55,000. Guam, another unincorporated territory, is the largest in terms of land area and has a population of over 160,000. The Northern Mariana Islands, also an unincorporated territory, consists of 14 islands and has a population of approximately 53,000.
Puerto Rico, a self-governing commonwealth, is one of the most populous territories of the United States, with a population of over 3.2 million. The U.S. Virgin Islands, another self-governing territory, has a population of around 106,000.
The remaining territories, such as Wake Island, Midway Atoll, Johnston Atoll, and others, are remote and inhabited by only a few people. These territories serve various purposes, including military installations, scientific research, and conservation efforts.
The political status of these territories is a subject of debate. Some argue for full statehood, while others believe they should maintain their current status. The issue of statehood has been a topic of discussion for years, with some territories actively seeking to become the 51st state.
In conclusion, the United States has 16 territories, each with its unique history, culture, and political status. These territories contribute to the nation’s diversity and play a vital role in its global presence.
—
Comments:
1. “It’s fascinating to see how many territories the U.S. has. I never knew there were so many!”
2. “I had no idea Puerto Rico was a territory. I always thought it was a state.”
3. “The political status of these territories is really interesting. I’d love to learn more about it.”
4. “It’s amazing how diverse the United States is, even with its territories.”
5. “I didn’t realize Wake Island was a territory. I always thought it was just a place in a movie.”
6. “It’s sad that some territories are still fighting for statehood. I hope they get it soon.”
7. “I had no idea the Northern Mariana Islands were a territory. I thought they were part of Japan.”
8. “I love learning about the different territories of the United States. It’s so interesting!”
9. “It’s fascinating to see how many remote territories the U.S. has. I had no idea.”
10. “I had no idea Palmyra Atoll was a territory. I thought it was just a place in a book.”
11. “It’s amazing how the U.S. has territories in different parts of the world.”
12. “I didn’t realize that Guam was a territory. I always thought it was part of the Philippines.”
13. “I had no idea the U.S. had so many territories. It’s a big country!”
14. “It’s sad that some territories are still not recognized as states. I hope they get their rights.”
15. “I love learning about the different cultures of the U.S. territories. It’s so diverse!”
16. “It’s fascinating to see how many territories the U.S. has. I never knew there were so many!”
17. “I had no idea that Johnston Atoll was a territory. I thought it was just a place in a movie.”
18. “It’s amazing how the U.S. has territories in different parts of the world. It’s so diverse!”
19. “I didn’t realize that Wake Atoll was a territory. I thought it was just a place in a book.”
20. “It’s fascinating to see how many territories the U.S. has. I never knew there were so many!
