US Territory Map

Q: What are the U.S. territories?

U.S. territories are areas governed by the United States but are not part of any of the 50 states. The five permanently inhabited U.S. territories are Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Although they are under U.S. jurisdiction, residents of these territories have different political rights than residents of the states, including limitations on voting in presidential elections.

Q: How many U.S. territories are there?

There are 14 U.S. territories. Five of these territories have permanent populations: Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The remaining territories consist primarily of smaller islands and atolls located in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

Q: Are people born in U.S. territories U.S. citizens?

People born in most U.S. territories are U.S. citizens at birth. However, individuals born in American Samoa are generally U.S. nationals rather than U.S. citizens. U.S. nationals may live and work in the United States and receive protection from the U.S. government, but they must go through the naturalization process to become U.S. citizens.

Q: Do the U.S. territories hold presidential elections and can their residents vote?

Residents of U.S. territories generally cannot vote in U.S. presidential elections unless they reside in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia. However, the territories do participate in presidential primary elections and send delegates to the national political party conventions.

Q: What is the largest U.S. territory?

Puerto Rico is the largest and most populous U.S. territory. Located in the Caribbean Sea, it has a population of more than 3 million people and serves as an important center for culture, commerce, and tourism within the U.S. territorial system.

The US Territory Map is designed for educational and reference purposes displays geographic boundaries and key locations in a clear manner, ideal for educational review, planning, and reference use. This US Territory Map can be downloaded for offline use by clicking the Download Now button available just below the map.

US Territory Map HD US Territory Map PDF

About US Territory Map

The above US territory map shows all the territories of the United States in addition to the 50 states. The 50 states and Washington, DC are highlighted in green on the world map. The US external territories are categorized into four segments: first, unorganized territories shown in violet; second, unincorporated, organized territories shown in orange; third, unincorporated territories with commonwealth status shown in yellow; and fourth, unincorporated, unorganized territories shown in blue.

US Territories

The United States has several territories that are under its control, but they aren't part of the 50 states. Territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands - each with its own government and way of life. These territories are grouped into a few categories: the ones where people live, the ones that are empty or used for special purposes, and the ones that are disputed. They're scattered across the Caribbean and Pacific, and they're really important for the US when it comes to defense, trade, and tourism. The people who live in these territories are US citizens or nationals, but they don't have the same voting rights as people who live in the states. Despite this, these territories are a big part of the US system, with their unique landscapes, cultures, and economic opportunities.

Inhabited U.S. Territories

Inhabited U.S. Territories are areas of the world which are under the jurisdiction of the United States of America, have a permanent population, and are not states but territories or possessions. They are called territories because they are inhabited with permanent residents with their own culture, traditions and are governed by local governing bodies while being a part of U.S. at the same time. All of the inhabited U.S. Territories are located in the Caribbean or Pacific Oceans and are classified as unincorporated organized territories or unincorporated unorganized territories. There are 5 inhabited territories: American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

American Samoa

American Samoa (AS), with its capital at Pago Pago, was acquired by the United States in 1900. It is an unincorporated, unorganized territory covering approximately 581 sq mi (1,505 sq km) and has a population of around 49,710. It is unique among U.S. territories because its residents are U.S. nationals rather than full citizens.

Guam

Guam (GU) was acquired by the United States in 1899 and has its capital at Hagåtña. It is classified as an unincorporated, organized territory with an area of about 571 sq mi (1,478 sq km) and a population of approximately 153,836. Guam is an important strategic military location in the Pacific.

Northern Mariana Islands

The Northern Mariana Islands (MP), with Saipan as their capital, became a U.S. territory in 1986. They are an unincorporated, organized territory covering about 1,976 sq mi (5,117 sq km) and have a population of around 47,329. The islands operate under a commonwealth arrangement with the United States.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico (PR), acquired in 1899, has its capital at San Juan. It is an unincorporated, organized territory and the largest among the inhabited U.S. territories, covering approximately 5,325 sq mi (13,791 sq km) with a population of about 3,285,874. Puerto Rico holds commonwealth status and plays a significant role in the U.S. economy and culture.

U.S. Virgin Islands

The U.S. Virgin Islands (VI), acquired in 1917, have their capital at Charlotte Amalie. They are an unincorporated, organized territory with an area of about 733 sq mi (1,898 sq km) and a population of approximately 87,146. The islands are known for their tourism-driven economy and Caribbean location.

Uninhabited and Special Purpose Territories

The Uninhabited and Special Purpose U.S. Territories are a collection of various islands and atolls throughout the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea that are inhabited only by U.S. military personnel, scientists, and support contractors, and are otherwise uninhabited by civilians. These territories serve many purposes, including strategic, scientific, environmental, and military. Although these territories are U.S. territories, they are classified as unincorporated and unorganized areas, meaning they are governed solely by federal law and do not have any local civil government.

Baker Island

Baker Island was acquired by the United States in 1856 and is an unincorporated, unorganized territory. It covers about 1 sq mi (2.2 sq km) and is currently uninhabited, mainly used for wildlife conservation and research purposes.

Howland Island

Howland Island, acquired in 1858, is an unincorporated, unorganized territory with an area of approximately 1 sq mi (1.6 sq km). It is uninhabited and historically known as a planned refueling stop for early transpacific flights.

Jarvis Island

Jarvis Island was acquired in 1856 and is an unincorporated, unorganized territory covering about 2 sq mi (5.7 sq km). It has no permanent population and is designated as a nature reserve.

Johnston Atoll

Johnston Atoll, acquired in 1859, is an unincorporated, unorganized territory with an area of about 1 sq mi (2.6 sq km). It has been used by the U.S. military for testing and storage purposes and remains uninhabited.

Kingman Reef

Kingman Reef was acquired in 1860 and is an unincorporated, unorganized territory with a very small land area of around 0 sq mi (0.01 sq km). It is largely submerged and uninhabited, with ecological importance for marine life.

Midway Atoll

Midway Atoll, acquired in 1867, is an unincorporated, unorganized territory covering approximately 3 sq mi (7.8 sq km). It has no permanent residents but supports temporary staff and is known for its historical significance during World War II.

Navassa Island

Navassa Island, acquired in 1858, is an unincorporated, unorganized territory covering about 3 sq mi (7.8 sq km). It is also claimed by Haiti and remains uninhabited, primarily designated as a wildlife refuge.

Palmyra Atoll

Palmyra Atoll was acquired in 1898 and is unique as an incorporated, unorganized territory. It covers about 2 sq mi (3.9 sq km) and has no permanent population, though it is occasionally used for research and conservation activities.

Wake Island

Wake Island, acquired in 1899, is an unincorporated, unorganized territory covering around 3 sq mi (6.5 sq km). It is also claimed by the Marshall Islands and is used mainly for military and strategic purposes, with no permanent civilian population.

Disputed Territories

U.S. Disputed Territories are areas that the United States claims and another country or countries also claims. Most U.S. Disputed Territories are considered to be unincorporated and unorganized territories. This means that they are administered by the United States, but that they are not states. U.S. disputed territories are typically found in the Caribbean. Most of these territories are small islands, or even small banks or reefs. Some of these territories are strategic and their boundaries could have important implications, not only for their own local development, but for the United States itself, in terms of boundaries at sea as well as natural resources and energy resources.

Bajo Nuevo Bank (Petrel Island)

Bajo Nuevo Bank (also known as Petrel Island) was claimed by the United States in 1869 and is classified as an unincorporated, unorganized territory with disputed sovereignty. It is primarily administered by Colombia but is also claimed by Jamaica and Nicaragua. The bank has a land area of about 56 sq mi (145 sq km) and remains uninhabited, consisting mostly of submerged reefs and small cays.

Serranilla Bank

Serranilla Bank was claimed by the United States in 1880 and is also an unincorporated, unorganized territory with disputed sovereignty. It is administered by Colombia, with additional claims by Honduras and Nicaragua. The territory covers approximately 463 sq mi (1,200 sq km) and is largely uninhabited, featuring small coral islands and reefs with strategic maritime significance.

FAQs about US Territories

What are the U.S. territories?

US territories are all of the areas that are governed by the United States but are not considered part of any of the 50 states. The five permanent inhabited territories of the United States are: Puerto Rico, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. They are all under the jurisdiction of the United States but they have different rights than people in the states, such as not having the right to vote in presidential elections.

How many U.S. territories are there?

There are 14 U.S. territories. Most of the inhabited islands and hundreds of smaller islands and atolls in the Pacific and the Caribbean are part of the U.S. as territories. Five of the territories have permanent populations. They are Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Are people born in U.S. territories U.S. citizens?

People born in U.S. territories are generally U.S. citizens at birth, except for those born in American Samoa. American Samoans are U.S. nationals, entitled to live and work in the United States and its territories and to receive protection by the U.S. government, but they are not automatically citizens and must go through the naturalization process to become U.S. citizens.

Do the U.S. territories hold presidential elections and can their residents vote?

Since they are not part of any state, people from U.S. territories cannot vote in presidential elections, unless they reside in one of the 50 states or in the District of Columbia. All of the territories hold presidential primary elections and they send delegates to the parties’ conventions.

What is the largest U.S. territory?

Puerto Rico is the largest of the U.S. territories. It is a Caribbean island with more than 3 million people and serves as a hub for culture, economy, and tourism for the U.S. territories.

Why are U.S. territories important?

The U.S. territories play a strategic role in extending the presence of the United States in the Caribbean and Pacific. The territories allow the U.S. to continue to maintain military bases, support trade, facilitate travel, support scientific research, and support tourism. They also play a role in the diversity of cultures within the United States and in its geographic scope.