U.S. territories

U.S. territories are regions controlled by the United States but are not states. They include areas like Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Residents of these territories are U.S. citizens or residents, but their political representation and voting rights can vary, often without full congressional voting power. Territories are governed by U.S. laws, but may have local administrations. They are important for strategic, economic, and cultural reasons, and their status can be subject to discussions about statehood, independence, or other arrangements.