The United States of America is comprised of fifty states, in addition to the federal district of Washington, D.C. Understanding the structure of the U.S. often begins with knowing the fundamental components that make up the nation, and the fifty states are at the heart of this structure. These states are diverse in geography, population, economy, and history, each contributing uniquely to the American mosaic.
The last two states to join the United States were Alaska and Hawaii, both admitted in 1959. Alaska became the 49th state, while Hawaii was admitted as the 50th. This expansion marked a significant moment in American history, extending the nation’s reach to the Arctic and the Pacific.
Beyond the fifty states, it’s important to recognize Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. Washington, D.C., stands for District of Columbia, and it is a unique entity. It is not a state but a federal district established in 1790 for the purpose of being the permanent national capital. It is under the direct authority of the U.S. Congress. Despite not being a state, Washington D.C. has a local government, including a mayor and a city council. Residents of Washington D.C. have been able to vote in Presidential elections since 1961 and are represented in Congress by a nonvoting Delegate to the House of Representatives.
Furthermore, the U.S. has several territories and dependencies. Puerto Rico is a notable example, classified as a commonwealth associated with the U.S. People born in Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens. However, while they participate in the U.S. economic and social system, Puerto Ricans cannot vote in U.S. Presidential elections. They do elect a nonvoting resident commissioner to the U.S. House of Representatives, similar to Washington D.C.
In addition to Puerto Rico, there are other dependent areas of the United States. These include: American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Virgin Islands, and Wake Island. These territories have varying degrees of self-governance and relationships with the U.S. government.
It’s also worth noting the historical context of territories administered by the U.S. From 1947 to 1994, the U.S. administered the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. This has since evolved into new political relationships with four entities: the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, each with unique compacts and agreements with the United States.
In summary, when asked “How Many States Are There In The Us?”, the direct answer is fifty. However, a complete understanding requires acknowledging Washington D.C. and the various U.S. territories and their distinct relationships with the federal government. For in-depth information, resources like The CIA Factbook offer detailed profiles of each state and territory.
