United States Territories at a Glance: The 16 Territories

The United States administers a diverse set of territories beyond its 50 states. This guide explains the 16 territories, distinguishing the five inhabited territories from the eleven uninhabited ones commonly referred to as minor outlying islands. Understanding these territories helps clarify discussions about governance, representation, and geographic reach across American areas overseas and in the Pacific and Caribbean.

Inhabited U.S. Territories

Puerto Rico is a self-governing commonwealth with its own constitution and locally elected government, while the U.S. handles defense and foreign affairs. Residents are U.S. citizens, and the territory has a significant economic and cultural footprint in the Caribbean. Puerto Rico’s status has shaped political debates about statehood, sovereignty, and federal funding allocations.

Guam sits in the Western Pacific as a strategic military and logistical hub. It has its own locally elected government and a substantial U.S. military presence. Guam’s residents are U.S. citizens by birth, and the island plays a key role in defense, commerce, and tourism in the region.

U.S. Virgin Islands comprise Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix, among smaller cays. As an organized, unincorporated territory, it has its own local government and elected representatives in local matters, while the federal government handles defense and interstate relations. The U.S. Virgin Islands are known for tourism, cruise activity, and vibrant cultural traditions.

American Samoa differs culturally and politically from other territories. It has a local government with a unique, non-voting delegate in the U.S. Congress and a system of matai chiefs guiding many local customs. American Samoa remains a crucial gateway to Pacific maritime routes and fisheries, with a strong emphasis on family and tradition.

Northern Mariana Islands includes Saipan and neighboring islands. It has its own constitutional government, with a non-voting delegate to Congress and limited federal authority in some areas. The Northern Mariana Islands are known for their Chamorro and Carolinian heritage and growing tourism and manufacturing sectors.

Uninhabited U.S. Territories (Minor Outlying Islands)

Baker Island is an uninhabited atoll in the Pacific Ocean. It is administered as part of the United States Minor Outlying Islands and serves as a wildlife refuge and scientific research area. Access is restricted, reflecting its remote, pristine environment.

Howland Island lies close to Baker Island and shares similar status as an uninhabited, protected area. It is important for migratory birds and marine life and is managed to preserve fragile ecosystems.

Jarvis Island is a small, uninhabited island also part of the Minor Outlying Islands. It remains largely untouched and is protected under federal wildlife and environmental protections.

Johnston Atoll hosts a ringed coral atoll with a history of military use. Today it is largely uninhabited, with limited access for scientific and environmental monitoring and ongoing prohibitions on most civilian activities.

Kingman Reef is a shallow, uninhabited reef system in the Pacific. It is protected as a marine area and is part of U.S. efforts to safeguard ocean habitats and migratory species.

Midway Atoll is famous for World War II significance and today operates as a wildlife refuge and National Wildlife Refuge. It hosts a seasonal population of researchers and volunteers, with strict access controls to protect nesting seabirds and other wildlife.

Palmyra Atoll lies in the central Pacific and is one of the most pristine coral atolls under U.S. protection. It is a federally managed wildlife refuge with limited, carefully controlled access for researchers and managers.

Wake Island is a coral atoll with a long military history and ongoing strategic importance. While access is restricted, it remains an active U.S. territory in governance terms and a site of historical significance and environmental management.

Navassa Island is located in the Caribbean Sea and is administered as a U.S. Minor Outlying Island. It is uninhabited and protected, primarily for wildlife and natural resources, with access tightly controlled for research and monitoring purposes.

Bajo Nuevo Bank (also called “Petrel”) sits in the western Caribbean. It is a U.S. possession in practice, claimed by the United States and managed for environmental protection and potential resource oversight in coordination with regional partners.

Serranilla Bank lies nearby in the Caribbean and is another uninhabited area under U.S. administration. It is part of ongoing discussions about maritime boundaries, fisheries management, and environmental stewardship in the region.

Key distinctions to note are the differing levels of local governance and federal involvement. Inhabited territories have local governments, elected representatives (often non-voting delegates to Congress), and residents who are U.S. citizens. Uninhabited territories primarily serve environmental, scientific, and strategic purposes, with access tightly controlled and limited or no permanent population. The term “Minor Outlying Islands” is commonly used to describe the uninhabited group in discussions about governance and federal oversight.

Why these designations matter for citizens and policymakers include representation in federal funding decisions, disaster response, emergency services, and eligibility for certain federal programs. The distinction between inhabited and uninhabited territories often influences how laws are applied, how resources are allocated, and how residents participate in national governance debates.

The United States’ territorial framework demonstrates a broad geographic footprint that extends from the Caribbean to the Pacific. Each territory carries its own blend of cultural heritage, legal status, and strategic role in national policy, trade routes, and environmental stewardship. Whether discussing tax rules, immigration considerations, or federal program eligibility, recognizing the 16 territories helps clarify how the United States extends its governance and presence across diverse regions.

For readers seeking quick memorization, the inhabited group comprises Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The remaining eleven are uninhabited, widely referred to as Minor Outlying Islands: Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Atoll, Palmyra Atoll, Wake Island, Navassa Island, Bajo Nuevo Bank, and Serranilla Bank.