Throughout the entire development of the United States, territories have been organized, dissolved, transferred, and divided. Many of these territories were admitted as full fledged states, in fact, most of the US States came from a territory.
Many people are likely aware that the United States still possess a number of territories to this day, notably, Puerto Rico; there are currently 14 official territories of the US and 2 disputed territories, Bajo Nuevo Bank and Serranilla Bank, that the US has claimed for 150 years, however, the United States has had more than 80 territories during its existence. The following is a list of the former Territories and Claims of the US.
1787 – Northwest Territory
A large section of land north of the Ohio River that was ceded by Virginia was organized as the Northwest Territory.
1790 – Southwest Territory
North Carolina’s western territory was ceded and organized as the Southwest Territory.
1798 – Mississippi Territory
Georgia ceded a portion of its western land, which later became Mississippi Territory.
1800 – Indiana Territory
A western division of the Northwest Territory was separated and organized as Indiana Territory.
1804 – Orleans Territory
Orleans Territory was formed from the southernmost portion of the land acquired from the Louisiana Purchase.
1805 – Michigan Territory and Louisiana Territory
The territory of Michigan was organized from Indiana Territory and the District of Louisiana was organized as Louisiana Territory.
1809 – Illinois Territory
Most of Indiana Territory’s western land was organized as the territory of Illinois.
1812 – Missouri Territory
By this time, the state of Louisiana had already been admitted and the Louisiana Territory was renamed Missouri Territory. Interestingly, while the state of Louisiana did come from the District of Louisiana, it was never a part of the territory of Louisiana.
1817 – Alabama Territory
The territory of Alabama was formed from the eastern half of Mississippi Territory.
1819 – Arkansaw Territory
The southernmost section of the remainder of Missouri Territory was organized as the territory of Arkansaw, which would later become known as Arkansas Territory.
1822 – Florida Territory
The ceded Spanish territories of East Florida and West Florida were combined and organized as Florida Territory.
1836 – Wisconsin Territory
A large area of Michigan Territory’s western land was separated, which became Wisconsin Territory.
1838 – Iowa Territory
The western portion of Wisconsin Territory was organized as Iowa Territory.
1848 – Oregon Territory
After the border between the United States and the United Kingdom was agreed upon and Oregon Country, which was shared between the US and the UK, was dissolved, the land on the US side of the border was organized as the territory of Oregon.
1849 – Minnesota Territory
Minnesota Territory was formed from the remainder of Wisconsin Territory and most of the residual, unorganized territory east of the Missouri River.
1850 – Utah Territory and New Mexico Territory
Utah Territory was organized from the northern land of the Mexican Cession that is east of the state of California. New Mexico Territory came from the southern section of the Mexican Cession east of California.
1853 – Washington Territory
The northernmost portion of Oregon Territory was divided, forming the territory of Washington.
1854 – Kansas Territory and Nebraska Territory
Kansas Territory was organized from unorganized territory east of Utah Territory, and Nebraska Territory was organized from the remaining territory north of Kansas Territory.
1859 – Enderbury Island, McKean Island, Phoenix Island, Starbuck Island, Christmas Island, and Malden Island
These 6 islands were claimed by the United States under the Guano Islands Act. Most of these islands would later be claimed by the United Kingdom.
1860 – Islands of Atafu, Birnie, Butaritari, Canton, Caroline, Fanning, Flint, Gardner, Manihiki, Maraki, Nukunono, Penhryn, Pukapuka, Rakahanga, Swains, Sydney, Vostok, and Washington
These 18 were claimed by the United States under the Guano Islands Act. Most of these islands would later be claimed or annexed by the United Kingdom.
1861 – Colorado Territory, Dakota Territory, and Nevada Territory
Colorado Territory was organized from unorganized territory and sections of the territories of Nebraska, New Mexico, and Utah. Dakota Territory was organized from unorganized territory and Nebraska Territory. Nevada Territory was organized from the westernmost area of Utah Territory.
1862 – Swan Islands
The Swan Islands were claimed by the United States under the Guano Islands Act.
1863 – Arizona Territory and Idaho Territory
Arizona Territory was organized from the western half of New Mexico Territory. Idaho Territory came from the western sections of Dakota Territory and Nebraska Territory and the eastern section of Washington Territory.
1864 – Montana Territory
Montana Territory was formed from most of northern Idaho Territory.
1868 – Wyoming Territory
Wyoming Territory mostly came from Dakota Territory with minor areas originating from the territories of Utah and Idaho.
1869 – Pedro Cays, Quita Sueño Bank, and Roncador Bank
These 3 islands were claimed by the United States under the Guano Islands Act.
1879 – Arenas Key, Morant Cays, and Serranilla Bank
These 3 islands were claimed by the United States under the Guano Islands Act.
1880 – Western Triangle Island
This island was claimed by the United States under the Guano Islands Act.
1886 – Alacrans Islands
These islands were claimed by the United States under the Guano Islands Act.
1890 – Oklahoma Territory
The Public Land Strip and the western half of Indian Territory were organized as the territory of Oklahoma.
1899 – The Philippines
The United States purchased the Philippines from Spain, however, this claim overlapped with the First Philippine Republic and the Dutch disputed the American territory. Japan captured the US controlled Philippines during World War II, but US governing was reestablished in the territory at the end of the war. The Philippines became an independent nation in 1946.
1900 – Hawaii Territory
The Hawaiian Islands were organized as the territory of Hawaii.
1904 – Panama Canal Zone
The United States took ownership of the Panama Canal Zone. After its completion, the Panama Canal Zone was transferred to Panama, though the United States continued to share control with Panama until 1999.
1912 – Alaska Territory
The District of Alaska, which the United States purchased from Russia, was organized as the territory of Alaska.
1939 – Fakaofo, Funafuti, Hull Island, Niulakita, Nukufetau, and Nukulaelae
These 6 islands were claimed by the United States around this time.
1947 – Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
The United Nations entrusted the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands to the US.
Here is a list of the Current Territories and Claims of the US:
- 1791 – District of Columbia
- 1856 – Baker Island and Jarvis Island
- 1858 – Navassa Island and Howland Island
- 1859 – Johnston Atoll
- 1860 – Kingman Reef
- 1867 – Midway Atoll
- 1868 – Serrana Bank
- 1869 – Bajo Nuevo Bank
- 1898 – Palmyra Atoll
- 1899 – Guam, Puerto Rico, and Wake Island
- 1900 – American Samoa
- 1917 – US Virgin Islands
- 1986 – Northern Mariana Islands
Which territory seems the most remarkable to you?
Onward American 