| |
| Territorial Acquisitions of the United States |
What this map layer shows:
The major acquisitions of territory by the United States of America.
|
 |
| Background Information |
Sample Map
The Territorial Acquisitions of the United States map layer shows the
major acquisitions of territory by the United States, including areas
that were part of the United States at one time but which have since
been ceded to other countries. Descriptive information includes the
name of the area, the data when it was acquired, and additional brief
notes about the acquisition. This map layer was compiled by the National
Atlas of the United States®.
Only areas in North America, the Caribbean, and Hawaii are included
in the Territorial Acquisitions map layer; the United States also includes
additional territories that are not shown. The following areas are
or have been territories of the United States:
- American
Samoa was acquired under the 1899 Treaty of Berlin between
Germany, Great Britain, and the United States. The islands are
now an unorganized and unincorporated territory of the United States
and are administered by the U.S.
Department of the Interior, Office
of Insular Affairs.
- The
Federated States of Micronesia were part of the Trust Territory
of the Pacific Islands, but in November 1986 became a fully independent
country in free association with the United States. While the country
is independent, the United States provides defense and some financial
assistance, and in return is allowed military use of the islands.
- Guam became a territory of the United States after the Spanish-American
War. Under the December 10, 1898 Treaty of Paris, Spain ceded the
island to the United States. Guam was captured by Japan in 1941 but
was retaken by the United States in 1944. It became an organized,
unincorporated territory of the United States in August, 1950, and is
administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Insular
Affairs.
- The
Northern Mariana Islands were part of the Trust Territory of the
Pacific Islands, and became a self-governing United States commonwealth
in 1986.
- The
Republic of the Marshall Islands was part of the Trust Territory
of the Pacific Islands, but in November 1986 became a fully independent
republic in free association with the United States. While the country
is independent, the United States provides defense and some financial
assistance, and in return is allowed military use of the islands.
- The
Republic of Palau was part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific
Islands, but in October 1994 it became a fully independent republic
in free association with the United States. While the country is
independent, the United States provides defense and some financial assistance,
and in return is allowed military use of the islands.
- The minor outlying islands which are territories of the United States
include Midway
Atoll (acquired in 1867), Palmyra
Atoll (acquired in 1898,
with Hawaii), Wake
Atoll (acquired in 1899), Baker
Island and Howland Island (acquired in 1857), Jarvis
Island (acquired in 1858), Johnston
Atoll (acquired in 1858), Kingman
Reef (acquired in 1922), and Navassa
Island (acquired in 1857).
- The Philippines became a territory of the United States after the Spanish-American
War. Under the December 10, 1898 Treaty of Paris, Spain ceded the islands
to the United States for $20 million. In 1935 the Philippines became a
self-governing commonwealth. Japan took over the country from 1942-1944,
but the United States regained the islands in 1945, and full independence
was granted in July, 1946.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
