The United States of America is comprised of fifty (50) states, in addition to the federal district of Washington, D.C. The most recent additions to the roster of states are Alaska and Hawaii, which became the 49th and 50th states respectively, both in 1959.
Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia, holds a unique position within the U.S. It is not a state but a special federal district under the direct authority of the U.S. Congress. While residents of Washington D.C. elect a mayor and a 13-member city council to manage local governance, the ultimate authority rests with the federal government. Furthermore, Washington D.C. residents have been able to participate in Presidential elections since 1961 and are represented in Congress by a nonvoting Delegate to the House of Representatives, highlighting their integration within the democratic processes of the nation despite the district’s non-state status.
Beyond the fifty states and Washington D.C., the U.S. also has relationships with several territories and commonwealths. Puerto Rico, for example, is a U.S. commonwealth. Individuals born in Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens. However, residents of Puerto Rico are unable to vote in U.S. Presidential elections, although they do elect a nonvoting resident commissioner to the U.S. House of Representatives, similar to Washington D.C., illustrating a complex relationship with full statehood.
In addition to Puerto Rico, the U.S. oversees various dependent areas, including American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Wake Island. These territories have diverse governance structures and relationships with the U.S.
It’s worth noting the historical context of U.S. territories in the Pacific. From 1947 to 1994, the U.S. administered the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. This has since evolved into new political structures with four entities: the Northern Mariana Islands, now a commonwealth in union with the U.S.; the Republic of Palau; the Federated States of Micronesia; and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, all of which have established Compacts of Free Association with the United States. These compacts define their political and economic relationships with the U.S.
For detailed information and further reading on these territories and states, refer to The CIA Factbook, a comprehensive resource providing insights into the world’s nations and territories.
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