By Merger of Current or Former U.S. Territories
Other less likely contenders are Guam and the United States Virgin Islands, both of which are unincorporated organized territories of the United States. Also, the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa, an unorganized, unincorporated territory, could both attempt to gain statehood. Some proposals call for the Virgin Islands to be admitted with Puerto Rico as one state (often known as the proposed "Commonwealth of Prusvi", for Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands, or as "Puerto Virgo"), and for the amalgamation of U.S. territories or former territories in the Pacific Ocean, in the manner of the "Greater Hawaii" concept of the 1960s. Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands would be admitted as one state, along with Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands (although these latter three entities are now separate sovereign nations, which have Compact of Free Association relationships with the United States). Such a state would have a population of 412,381 (slightly lower than Wyoming's population) and a land area of 911.82 square miles (2,361.6 km2) square miles (slightly smaller than Rhode Island). American Samoa could possibly be part of such a state, increasing the population to 467,900 and the area to 988.65 square miles (2,560.6 km2). Radio Australia, in late May 2008, issued signs of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands becoming one again and becoming the 51st state.
Location | Population | Area (sq. mi.) | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Puerto Rico | 3,725,789 | 3,514 | 2010 U.S. Census results |
United States Virgin Islands | 109,750 | 133.73 | 2010 U.S. Census results |
Total | 3,835,539 | 3,647.73 | Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands |
Location | Population | Area (sq. mi.) | Comments |
Northern Mariana Islands | 53,883 | 184.17 | 2010 U.S. Census results |
Guam | 159,358 | 209.85 | 2010 U.S. Census results |
Total Mariana Islands | 213,241 | 394.02 | |
American Samoa | 55,519 | 76.83 | 2010 U.S. Census results |
Total American Pacific | 268,760 | 988.65 | |
Marshall Islands | 67,182 | 70 | 2011 estimate |
Palau | 20,958 | 177 | 2011 estimate |
Federated States of Micronesia | 111,000 | 271 | 2009 estimate |
Total Former Trust Territories | 199,140 | 518 | |
Total | 467,900 | 1506.65 |
Read more about this topic: 51st State, Possible New States
Famous quotes containing the words current and/or territories:
“Without the Empire we should be tossed like a cork in the cross current of world politics. It is at once our sword and our shield.”
—William Morris Hughes (18641952)
“Curiosity doesnt matter any more. These days people dont want to be transported to emotional territories where they dont know how to react.”
—Hector Babenko (b. 1946)