Territories of the United States

political division that is directly overseen by the United States federal government

Territories of the United States are sub-national administrative divisions supervised by the United States government. The U.S. currently has fourteen[1] territories in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Two other territories (Bajo Nuevo Bank and Serranilla Bank) are claimed by the United States but ruled by Colombia — if these two territories are counted, the total number of U.S. territories is sixteen.

Territories of the United States
Membership
NameAbbr.LocationAreaPopulation
(2018)
Capital
Largest townStatusAcquired
 American SamoaASPolynesia (South Pacific)197.1 km2 (76 sq mi)50,826Pago PagoTafunaUnincorporated, American Samoa is de facto organized.April 17, 1900
 GuamGUMicronesia (North Pacific)543 km2 (210 sq mi)167,772HagåtñaDededoUnincorporated, organizedApril 11, 1899
 Northern Mariana IslandsMPMicronesia (North Pacific)463.63 km2 (179 sq mi)51,994SaipanGarapanUnincorporated, organized (commonwealth)November 4, 1986 (U.S.)
 Puerto RicoPRCaribbean (North Atlantic)9,104 km2 (3,515 sq mi)3,294,626San JuanSan JuanUnincorporated, organized (commonwealth)April 11, 1899
Virgin Islands (U.S.)VICaribbean (North Atlantic)346.36 km2 (134 sq mi)106,977Charlotte AmalieCharlotte AmalieUnincorporated, organizedMarch 31, 1917

References