Commonwealths & Territories in the U.S.

• American Samoa, Guam, and the Virgin Islands are all territories of the United States. Washington, D.C. and the Northern Mariana Islands are commonwealths. Puerto Rico was once a territory, but is now a commonwealth.


• Territories and commonwealths are partially self-governing areas that have not been granted statehood. The indigenous peoples of these areas are citizens of the United States.


• These areas may have one non-voting delegate in the House of Representatives

Reprinted from Ben's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids