The United States currently administers 14 territories, which include five permanently inhabited areas and nine uninhabited minor outlying islands. These territories are under the sovereignty of the United States but are not part of any U.S. state.
Inhabited Territories
The five inhabited U.S. territories each have their own local governments and varying degrees of autonomy. Residents of these territories are U.S. citizens, with the exception of American Samoa where residents are U.S. nationals.
| Territory | Location | Population (Approx.) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Samoa | South Pacific Ocean | 44,000 | Known for its stunning natural beauty, rich Polynesian culture, and as the only U.S. territory in the Southern Hemisphere. Its capital is Pago Pago. |
| Guam | Western Pacific Ocean | 173,000 | The largest and southernmost of the Mariana Islands, strategically important for military presence. It's a popular tourist destination with a vibrant Chamorro culture. |
| Northern Mariana Islands | Western Pacific Ocean | 47,000 | A commonwealth of the U.S., comprising 14 islands, with Saipan, Tinian, and Rota being the largest. Known for World War II history and diverse ecosystems. |
| Puerto Rico | Caribbean Sea | 3.2 Million | The most populous U.S. territory, known for its vibrant culture, historic Old San Juan, and beautiful beaches. Its political status is a long-standing debate. |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | Caribbean Sea | 99,000 | A group of islands including Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas. Renowned for their white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and national parks. |
Uninhabited Minor Outlying Islands
The nine uninhabited U.S. territories are primarily small islands, atolls, and reefs, often designated as national wildlife refuges. They are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or in some cases, the U.S. Navy. These islands hold ecological significance and are generally closed to the public.
- Baker Island: A small, uninhabited island located just north of the equator in the central Pacific Ocean. It is a National Wildlife Refuge.
- Howland Island: Another small, uninhabited island in the central Pacific, famously known as the intended refueling stop for Amelia Earhart's ill-fated round-the-world flight. It is also a National Wildlife Refuge.
- Jarvis Island: Located in the South Pacific, this uninhabited coral island is a U.S. National Wildlife Refuge and is known for its guano deposits.
- Johnston Atoll: An atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, historically used for military purposes including nuclear weapons testing and chemical weapon storage. It is now a National Wildlife Refuge.
- Kingman Reef: A largely submerged coral reef in the North Pacific, located north of the Equator. It is a National Wildlife Refuge and presents a significant navigational hazard.
- Midway Atoll: An atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, best known for the pivotal Battle of Midway in World War II. It is a National Wildlife Refuge and a designated World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument.
- Navassa Island: An uninhabited island in the Caribbean Sea, disputed with Haiti. It is a U.S. National Wildlife Refuge.
- Palmyra Atoll: An uninhabited atoll in the North Pacific Ocean. It is unique as the only incorporated U.S. territory, meaning it is considered an integral part of the United States, and is also privately owned in part, with the rest managed as a National Wildlife Refuge.
- Wake Island: An isolated coral atoll in the western Pacific Ocean, strategically important and historically a site of a major World War II battle. It is an unorganized, unincorporated territory administered by the U.S. Air Force.
For more detailed information on U.S. territories, you can refer to resources from the U.S. Department of the Interior or the CIA World Factbook.
