There are 14 recognized U.S. territories as of 2026, including five inhabited ones with about 3.7 million residents total.
What are the 14 U.S. territories?
You’ll find these territories scattered across the Caribbean and Pacific. The five inhabited ones—Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa—are where most people live. The rest are mostly uninhabited atolls and islands, like Midway and Palmyra. Honestly, this list surprises most Americans, who often forget these places even exist.
Why do these territories matter?
These territories aren’t just random patches of land. They extend U.S. influence across key maritime regions. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands keep America anchored in the Caribbean, while Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands help project power near Asia. (Think military bases and trade routes.) Most residents are full U.S. citizens—except in American Samoa, where folks are U.S. nationals instead. That distinction matters when it comes to federal benefits.
There are five inhabited U.S. territories: Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.
Which U.S. territories are inhabited?
Five territories have permanent populations. Puerto Rico is by far the largest, with over 3 million people. Guam comes next with around 172,000 residents, followed by the U.S. Virgin Islands (104,000), Northern Mariana Islands (47,000), and American Samoa (44,000). The other nine territories? Mostly scientists, military personnel, or occasional visitors. American Samoa stands out—it’s the only inhabited territory south of the equator.
Puerto Rico is the largest U.S. territory by land area at 3,515 square miles.
What’s the biggest U.S. territory by size?
Puerto Rico takes the crown, hands down. At 3,515 square miles, it’s more than 16 times larger than Guam, the next biggest inhabited territory. Even the tiny U.S. Virgin Islands (133 sq mi) and Northern Mariana Islands (1,969 sq mi) don’t come close. The uninhabited territories? Most are barely more than sandbars. Midway Atoll, for example, is just 2.4 square miles—smaller than most shopping malls.
American Samoa is the only U.S. territory where residents are U.S. nationals, not citizens.
Why is American Samoa different from other territories?
Here’s the thing: American Samoa is the odd one out. While everyone else in the territories is a U.S. citizen, folks here are U.S. nationals. That means they can’t vote in federal elections or hold certain federal jobs. The territory also has a unique land system based on Samoan tradition, where communal ownership is the norm. Culturally, it’s closer to independent Samoa than to the continental U.S. That difference shapes everything from politics to daily life.
Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa require no passport for U.S. citizens to enter.
Do I need a passport to visit U.S. territories?
Good news for U.S. travelers: you can skip the passport for the five inhabited territories. Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa are treated like domestic destinations. (Just don’t try this with the other nine—they’re not so simple.) Non-citizens, though, will need to check entry rules. Flights to these places are plentiful from the mainland, but options get sparse once you leave the major hubs.
How do I get to these territories?
Puerto Rico is the easiest—multiple daily flights from New York, Miami, and other big cities. Guam acts as a Pacific hub, with direct routes from Honolulu and Manila. The Northern Mariana Islands are just a short hop from Guam. American Samoa? That’s trickier. Most flights route through Samoa first, since direct international options are limited. If you’re heading to the uninhabited atolls, you’ll likely need a military or research charter.
What’s the deal with Palmyra Atoll?
Palmyra is the weird one in the bunch. It’s the only incorporated U.S. territory, which means it’s legally part of the United States—not just a territory. It’s also a private conservation reserve owned by The Nature Conservancy. You won’t find many people there—just researchers or occasional visitors. Ecologically, it’s a biodiversity hotspot, with rare birds and marine life. Think of it as America’s Galápagos, minus the tourists.
What’s the history behind these territories?
Most of these territories came to the U.S. after the 1898 Spanish-American War. Puerto Rico and Guam were Spanish colonies until America took over. American Samoa? That was a strategic move to counter German influence in the Pacific. World War II put Guam on the map as a critical naval base. Meanwhile, Palmyra’s history is quieter—it was acquired in 1898 but never developed like the others. Each territory’s past reflects America’s shifting global ambitions.
Do territories get to vote in U.S. elections?
Short answer: no. Territories don’t have electoral votes for president, and their residents in Congress can’t vote on federal laws. That said, Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands have non-voting delegates in the House. American Samoa’s residents can’t even vote in these delegate elections. It’s a sore point for many locals, who argue their taxes (yes, they pay some federal taxes) should come with representation. Congress decides their status, and so far, nothing’s changed.
What’s the economic situation in these territories?
Puerto Rico’s economy is the most developed, with manufacturing and tourism driving growth. The U.S. Virgin Islands rely heavily on tourism too, though hurricanes have battered the islands in recent years. Guam’s economy hinges on the military— Andersen Air Force Base and Naval Base Guam are economic lifelines. American Samoa’s economy is smaller and more traditional, based on fishing and canneries. The other territories? Mostly funded by federal programs or private conservation efforts.
Can territories become states?
Theoretically, yes—but politically, it’s a mess. Puerto Rico has held multiple referendums on statehood, with mixed results. The Northern Mariana Islands could follow, but their small population works against them. American Samoa? Unlikely—its unique status and cultural identity make statehood a tough sell. Congress would need to approve any change, and so far, they haven’t shown much urgency. For now, these territories remain in legal limbo, neither fully independent nor equal to states.
How do territories affect U.S. military strategy?
These territories are military goldmines. Guam is the most obvious example—it’s a key base for projecting power into Asia. The Northern Mariana Islands host training ranges. Puerto Rico’s location makes it useful for Caribbean operations. Even the tiny atolls matter: Midway Atoll was a critical WWII battleground, and today, uninhabited islands serve as refueling stops or surveillance points. Without these territories, America’s military reach would shrink dramatically.
What’s the future of U.S. territories?
That’s the million-dollar question. Puerto Rico’s debt crisis and hurricane damage have put its status in the spotlight. Guam’s military importance keeps it relevant, but tensions with China add uncertainty. American Samoa’s cultural identity clashes with federal expectations. The other territories? Mostly ignored unless a crisis hits. Congress moves slowly, so don’t expect big changes anytime soon. For now, these places remain America’s best-kept secret—vital but overlooked.
