How Are U.S. States Divided Administratively?

Continents contain countries; countries contain subnational units. In the United States:

• 50 States — primary subdivisions
• Counties (or parishes in LA, boroughs in AK) — 3,143 county-equivalents
• Cities, towns, townships, villages — municipal governments
• Special districts — schools, water, transit, fire, etc.

States are not divided into "states." The term "state" in the U.S. refers to the 50 sovereign entities in the federal union, each with its own constitution, government, and subdivisions.