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How Many American Colonies Have You Visited?

The US, of course, has the 50 states (and "commonwealths," if you want to get technical). But it also has six inhabited non-state entities. They aren’t technically colonies, but they fall under the rule of the Constitution, and federal agencies operate in all of them.

They are:

Washington, DC

Puerto Rico

The US Virgin Islands

American Samoa

Guam

The Northern Mariana Islands

I have been to all of them except the USVI. My personal favorite is probably the Marianas, because I went diving off the coast of Rota and Saipan islands for several days, and saw some incredible sea life and WWII-era wrecks. The people there are mostly friendly and they like to eat a lot of roast meat.

Why does it seem like America’s territories get way less attention than the states, though (except for DC, for obvious reasons)?

  1. Ben
    September 13th, 2010 at 17:36 | #1

    I visited Guam, and the former colonies of Okinawa, the Philippines, and Hawaii (which is now a State after being originally taken over by a mercenary army hired by American corporations in the late 19th centuary [before the age of American military expeditions became popular]).

    I would love to live in one of the colonies. They usually have much better weather than Illinois, and they tend to have better tax breaks. :)

    Edit: Of course, I visited D.C. also, but it barely counts. :)

  2. I love my iPhone
    September 13th, 2010 at 17:36 | #2

    Washington, DC

  3. Dr. Independent
    September 13th, 2010 at 17:36 | #3

    I have been to 3.
    DC, Puerto Rico and USVI. I am planning on going to the TNMI soon for a summer trip and plan on going diving as I did in the USVI. If you haven’t been to the USVI, I would recommend going there. They are beautiful and relaxing.

  4. WilliamH10
    September 13th, 2010 at 17:36 | #4

    They are not American colonies, they are American territories, governed in a similar manner that DC is governed. They get non-voting representatives in Congress.

    whale

  5. Nano Nano
    September 13th, 2010 at 17:36 | #5

    Puerto Rico and DC

  6. Sky
    September 13th, 2010 at 17:36 | #6

    Three in my history books, two in a war sim game, and one on a website. :0)

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