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A commonwealth is a type of territory. Both commonwealths and territories are referred to as "insular areas." An insular area is a United States territory that is neither a part of one of the fifty states nor a part of the District of Columbia, the nation's federal district. Because those insular areas that are inhabited are unincorporated territories, their native-born inhabitants are not constitutionally entitled to United States citizenship under the Citizenship Clause. However, Congress has extended citizenship rights to all inhabited territories with the exception of American Samoa, and these citizens may vote and run for office in any U.S. jurisdiction in which they are resident. Residents of American Samoa are U.S. nationals, but not U.S. citizens; they are free to move around and seek employment within the whole United States without immigration restrictions, but cannot vote or hold office outside of American Samoa. Residents of insular areas do not pay U.S. federal taxes, but most pay taxes to the territorial governments at the same rates as U.S. federal income taxes. Insular areas do not choose electors in U.S. presidential elections nor do they elect voting members of the U.S. Congress. Goods manufactured in insular areas of the United States can be labeled "Made in USA." * Palmyra Atoll * American Samoa (unorganized; self-governing under authority of the U.S. Department of the Interior) * Guam (organized under Organic Act of 1950) * Northern Mariana Islands (commonwealth, organized under 1977 Covenant) * Puerto Rico (commonwealth, organized under terms of the 1950 Puerto Rico-Federal Relations Act) * U.S. Virgin Islands (organized under Revised Organic Act of 1954) * Baker Island * Howland Island * Jarvis Island * Johnston Atoll * Kingman Reef * Midway Islands (administered as the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge) - small amount of contractors present * Navassa Island * Wake Island- small amount of contractors present * Petrel Islands * Serranilla Bank

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Q: What is the difference between a US Territory and a US Commonwealth?
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Related questions

What is the commonwealth territory?

There are three commonwealth US territory. The three commonwealth territory are American Samoa, Guam and Northern Mariana.


What is the relationship between US and Puerto Rico?

Its called a US Commonwealth. Its like a state in many ways but remains a US Territory.


Is a commonwealth of the US.?

no it is a Territory of the U.S ^^^^whoever wrote this is stupid...guam is US territory...


Is PR a colony or a commonwealth of the US?

They are an unincorporated US Territory.


Puerto Rico is an island that is a commonwealth of?

It is the Commonwealth pf Puerto Rico and an unicorporated Territory of the US.


Which Spanish-speaking territory is a commonwealth of the US?

Puerto Rico.


What US Territory is a commonwealth?

Puerto Rico uses that terminology.


Who lets new states become part of the US?

A US Territory or as with Puerto Rico, a US Commonwealth, can apply for statehood into the United States first by a vote of the people in the territory. The US Congress accepts the finalized application. The territory, as one condition for example must have its own constitution.


Is Malaysia a us territory?

No, it is an independent country from 1963. It is still part of the British Commonwealth.


What term best describes Puerto Rico's political status?

Puerto Rico is part of the United States. It is called a commonwealth.


What is the commonwealth us territory?

A territory is an insular area protected and adminstered by the United States. A commonwealth is a self-governing insular area that elects to be part of the United States. Commonwealths, territories, and protectorates are insular areas whose people are citizens of the United States, with the exception of America Samoa. The Samoans are nationals--free to go anywhere in the United States--but they are not citizens.


Is saipan a US territory?

Yes it is No, it is not. The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), is a Commonwealth in political union with the US and is guided by a Covenant. Saipan is only one island of the 14 islands that make up the CNMI. Guam, the southernmost island in the Marianas archipelago, is a US Territory.