Exploring the US Territories: Inhabited and Uninhabited, Lesser-Known Facts, and Why Some are Closed to Public Access

Hey there! Are you curious about the United States Territories? Well, look no further because we’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ll cover all the US territories, which ones are inhabited and which are not, some fun facts about each, and why some of the territories are closed to public access. Plus, we’ll also touch on what would happen if you accessed these closed territories. Let’s get started!

What are the US Territories? First things first, let’s talk about what the US Territories actually are. The United States has 16 territories in total, including five inhabited territories and eleven uninhabited territories. The five inhabited territories are Puerto Rico, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. These territories have a combined population of over 4 million people. The eleven uninhabited territories include Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Atoll, Navassa Island, Palmyra Atoll, Wake Island, and Serranilla Bank and Bajo Nuevo Bank.

Lesser-Known Facts about Each Territory: Let’s dive into some lesser-known facts about each territory.

1. Puerto Rico: Did you know that Puerto Rico is the smallest island of the Greater Antilles? The island is only 100 miles long and 35 miles wide. Also, Puerto Ricans are US citizens, but they cannot vote in US presidential elections.
2. Guam: Guam is a tiny island in the Pacific Ocean, but it has a big military presence. The island is home to several US military bases, and the military is the largest employer on the island.
3. US Virgin Islands: The US Virgin Islands were once owned by Denmark. In 1917, the United States bought the islands from Denmark for $25 million in gold.
4. American Samoa: American Samoa is the only US territory located in the Southern Hemisphere. The territory is made up of five volcanic islands and two coral atolls.
5. Northern Mariana Islands: The Northern Mariana Islands were once a part of the Spanish Empire. In 1975, the United States took control of the islands.

Why are some of the territories closed to public access? Now, let’s talk about why some of the territories are closed to public access. Many of the uninhabited territories are closed to public access because they are used by the military for training purposes. These areas are often used for target practice and other military exercises, making them too dangerous for civilians to visit.

What would happen if you accessed these closed territories? Accessing these closed territories can be extremely dangerous and is also illegal. If you were to try to access one of these territories, you would likely be stopped by the military and could face serious legal consequences.

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US Territories Explained
Inhabited and Uninhabited US Territories
Lesser-Known Facts about US Territories
Closed Territories and Legal Consequences