As of 2026, the United States owns 16 territories, including five permanently inhabited ones: Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.
What are 3 territories the U.S. owns?
Three well-known U.S. territories are Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
You’ll find these in the Caribbean and Pacific. Together, they’re home to over 3 million U.S. citizens. Puerto Rico’s the most populous, while Guam’s the biggest in land area out west. Each one’s got a fascinating mix of indigenous, Spanish, and American influences in its culture.
What territories does the U.S. own?
The U.S. owns 16 territories, five of which are inhabited: Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.
That leaves 11 smaller, uninhabited spots mostly used for conservation, military use, or research. Think Midway Atoll, Palmyra Atoll, and a handful of remote islands like Baker and Wake. Some are incorporated into the U.S., others aren’t—it varies by territory.
What are the 4 main US territories?
There are five main U.S. territories, not four: American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
These five pop up most often in conversations about U.S. holdings overseas. American Samoa stands out—it’s the only one with a native-born majority and its own legal system. The others handle their own affairs to different degrees under the U.S. umbrella.
How many US territories are there?
There are 16 U.S. territories as of 2026.
Most people only know the five inhabited ones. But the U.S. also controls 11 tiny, uninhabited islands and atolls scattered across the Pacific and Caribbean. They’re mostly there for military, ecological, or historical reasons. The difference between inhabited and uninhabited matters a lot when it comes to laws and governance.
Are people in US territories U.S. citizens?
People born in any of the five inhabited U.S. territories are U.S. citizens by birth.
That covers Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. But here’s the catch: folks from American Samoa are technically U.S. nationals, not citizens, unless at least one parent is a citizen. Citizenship gives you federal benefits, but voting rights and representation aren’t the same as on the mainland.
Are the Philippines still a U.S. territory?
No, the Philippines is not a U.S. territory.
It was a territory from 1898 until it gained independence in 1946. Now it’s a fully sovereign country and a key ally in the Indo-Pacific. The U.S. and the Philippines work together through defense treaties and other agreements.
Does US own Puerto Rico?
Yes, the United States owns Puerto Rico as an unincorporated territory.
After the Spanish-American War in 1898, Puerto Rico became a U.S. territory and has stayed one ever since. Residents are U.S. citizens, but the island only gets limited representation in Congress through a non-voting Resident Commissioner. Debates over Puerto Rico’s political future—like statehood—have dragged on for decades.
Is Costa Rica a US territory?
No, Costa Rica is a sovereign nation and not a U.S. territory.
Costa Rica broke free from Spain in 1821 and has been independent ever since. It’s a stable democracy in Central America with strong ties to the U.S., but it’s definitely its own country. The U.S. doesn’t hold any sovereignty over Costa Rica.
Is Cuba still US territory?
No, Cuba is not a U.S. territory.
Cuba won independence from Spain in 1898 and became fully sovereign in 1902. Since 1959, it’s been run by the Communist Party of Cuba. U.S.-Cuba relations have had their ups and downs, but the island’s been its own nation for over a century.
Why does the US own Guam?
The U.S. owns Guam because it was captured during the Spanish-American War in 1898.
Back then, Guam was a key coaling station for the U.S. Navy. That strategic value only grew during World War II. The Chamorro people, Guam’s original inhabitants, are U.S. citizens by birth. Today, Guam’s a major military hub and a central piece of U.S. operations in the Pacific.
Is Hawaii a US territory?
No, Hawaii is not a U.S. territory; it’s been a U.S. state since 1959.
Hawaii was a territory from 1898 until it became the 50th state in August 1959. Over 93% of voters approved statehood in a referendum. With its rich culture and location in the Pacific, Hawaii’s a vital part of the country.
Do I need a passport to go to US territories?
No, you don’t need a passport to visit the five inhabited U.S. territories: Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or American Samoa.
If you’re traveling from the mainland, just bring a government-issued ID like a driver’s license. But if you’re hopping between the mainland and a territory—or between territories—pack your passport. You’ll need it to get back into the U.S. proper.
What is the biggest U.S. territory?
Puerto Rico is the largest U.S. territory by population, while the Northern Mariana Islands is the largest by land area.
Puerto Rico packs over 3 million people, making it the most crowded territory. The Northern Mariana Islands, though smaller in population, covers 1,969 square miles across islands like Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. Alaska’s the biggest state, but it’s not a territory.
Is Haiti part of USA?
No, Haiti is an independent nation and not part of the United States.
Haiti’s the second-oldest republic in the Americas, gaining independence from France in 1804. It governs itself, runs its own culture, and follows its own laws. The U.S. and Haiti have diplomatic relations, but Haiti’s definitely not under U.S. control.
How does a territory become a state?
A territory becomes a state when Congress passes a joint resolution granting statehood after the territory’s population votes in favor.
It usually starts with the territory’s government asking for statehood—often through a referendum. If voters say yes, Congress reviews the request and may pass a statehood bill. The President then signs it into law, and the territory becomes a state. That’s how Alaska and Hawaii joined the union in the 1900s.
