Territories, Possessions, and Influenced Areas of
the United States of America
By -September 11, 2003
When we think of the United States we often think of the 50 official
states, but there is much more to America than just the 50 states.
Below is a listing of all of the territories, commonwealths, and
possessions of the United States of America.
Territories:
-
American Samoa - since 1878 (original
purpose of acquisition: coaling station)
-
Guam - since 1898 (original purpose of
acquisition: military significance)
-
United States Virgin Islands - since 1917
(original purpose of acquisition: military significance)
Commonwealths:
-
Puerto Rico - under US control since 1900,
became a commonwealth in 1902 (original purpose of acquisition:
military significance)
-
Northern Mariana Islands - under US control
since 1947, became a commonwealth in 1978 (original purpose of
acquisition: military significance) see also
Possessions:
-
Howland, Baker, and Jarvis Islands - since 1857
(original purpose of acquisition: guano production)
-
Navassa Island - since 1857 (original
purpose of acquisition: guano production)
-
Johnston
Island - since 1858 (original purpose of acquisition:
guano production)
-
Midway Atolls - claimed in 1876, annexed
in 1908 (original purpose of acquisition: military significance)
-
Palmyra Atoll - since 1898 (original
purpose of acquisition: was part of the Hawaii acquisition)
-
Wake Islands - since 1898 (original purpose of
acquisition: military significance)
-
Guantanamo Bay - since 1898 (original
purpose of acquisition: military significance)
-
Kingman
Reef - since 1922 (original purpose of acquisition:
stopping point for air traffic)
Compacts of Free Association:
For more information about these American places and how they are
governed see:
http://www.macmeekin.com/Library/terr+commonw2.htm
In addition to these places it is helpful to know which places have
been possessions of the United States in the past as well. Previously
occupied American territories include:
On a more subjective level there are also many countries who's
leaders or political systems have been controlled or influenced by the
United States in some way over the years. For the purpose of
helping to understand American influence I will include some of these
places here and the times in which it is generally accepted that their
political systems were under significant influence of the United States.
Timeline of major American wars and
acquisitions
click image above to enlarge
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