The 50 states and D.C. are not the whole United States. The country also has territories: places that belong to the United States but are not states.
Key idea
The five territories where people live are Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean Sea, and Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa in the Pacific Ocean. They are part of the United States, but they are not states.
Why it works
How is a territory different from a state? A state has two senators and voting members in the House of Representatives. A territory has no senators, and its one member of the House cannot vote on passing laws. Each territory has its own local government, and the U.S. government is responsible for its defense.
| Territory | Where | People born there are… |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico | Caribbean Sea | U.S. citizens |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | Caribbean Sea | U.S. citizens |
| Guam | western Pacific | U.S. citizens |
| Northern Mariana Islands | western Pacific | U.S. citizens |
| American Samoa | South Pacific | U.S. nationals |
Worked example: Territory or not?
Is Hawaii a territory?
- Hawaii became part of the United States in 1898 and was a territory for many years.
- In 1959 it became the 50th state.
- So today it is a state, not a territory.
Answer: No. Hawaii is a state.
Common mistake
Some people think Puerto Rico is a separate country, and others think it is a state. It is neither. Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, and people born there are U.S. citizens. They can move to any state and live there like anyone else.