Beyond D.C.: Other U.S. Territories Not Part of Any State

Washington, D.C. is the only federal district not part of a state. However, the U.S. has five permanently inhabited territories that are also not states:

• Puerto Rico
• Guam
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• Northern Mariana Islands
• American Samoa

These are self-governing with their own constitutions and elected governments, but they lack full statehood rights:

• Cannot vote in presidential elections (except via primary).
• No voting representation in Congress (have non-voting delegates).
• Residents are U.S. citizens (except American Samoa: U.S. nationals).