The U.S. territories and freely associated states (T/FAS) come with their own unique terminology. This page is designed as a quick reference to get new readers up to speed or give old hands a referesher.
All entries are alphabetical. If you are looking for something specific, hit "Control+F" to open a search box in your browser's window.
Compacts of Free Association (COFA)
Public laws establishing a special relationship between the United States and the sovereign nations of the Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). Under these laws, the U.S. government agreed to provide economic and technical assistance, ensure U.S. military defense support, and allow unrestricted travel to and from the U.S. states and territories for freely associated state (FAS) citizens. In exchange, FAS grant the U.S. government exclusive and unlimited use of their land, air, and waterways for strategic purposes. Some of the economic assistance provided through the COFA is set to expire in 2043, however the defense and migration provisions continue in perpetuity.
freely associated state (FAS)
One of the three independent island nations that have ratified Compacts of Free Association (COFA) with the United States. The three FAS are former U.S. territories that became independent nations in the 1980s and 1990s, and which maintain a special relationship with the United States through COFA. COFA reflect FAS’s importance for U.S geopolitical and military interests in East Asia.
In many ways, FAS operate like any foreign country: Each nation elects a president and maintains a national legislature as well as additional local political structures. The nations have their own constitutions and their own federal agencies (e.g., Ministries of Health). These nations are represented in multilateral forums like the World Health Assembly (unlike territories, which are represented by the U.S. delegation). However, COFA establish certain privileges that differentiate FAS from other countries.
FAS citizens are not U.S. citizens, but they:
- Are eligible for some U.S. federal programs (e.g., certain HHS grants).
- Can serve in the U.S. military.
- Do not need a visa to live, work, or travel in the U.S.
MEMBER STATES
- Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)
- Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI)
- Republic of Palau
Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of the Marshall Islands entered into a joint COFA with the United States in 1986; Palau entered into its own COFA with the United States in 1994.
island area or island jurisdiction
A colloquial term used to describe any U.S. jurisdiction that is not part of a state or federal district (i.e. the District of Columbia). Typically used to refer to the U.S. territories and freely associated states.
TERRITORIES IN THE ATLANTIC
- Puerto Rico
- U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI)
TERRITORIES AND FREELY ASSOCIATED STATES IN THE PACIFIC
- American Samoa
- Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)
- Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)
- Guam
- Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI)
- Republic of Palau
territory, territories
Portions of the U.S. that are not within the limits of any state and have not been admitted as states. The CDC Office of Island Affairs defines territories as “sub-national administrative divisions overseen by the U.S. government.” The U.S. Department of the Interior further specifies that unincorporated territories are areas “in which the United States Congress has determined that only selected parts of the United States Constitution apply.” Individuals born in U.S. territories are either U.S. nationals or U.S. citizens, and in these jurisdictions the territorial and U.S. flags often fly side by side.
While this term may include uninhabited islands, ASTHO uses it to refer to the following jurisdictions:
- American Samoa
- Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)
- Guam
- Puerto Rico
- U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI)
In a strictly legal terms, only three of the aforementioned jurisdictions are “unincorporated territories”: American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The other two are “commonwealths,” which are afforded a slightly higher degree of internal political autonomy than are territories.
For more detailed information on each of these jurisdictions, visit their Island Areas 101 profile pages.
U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI)
A term often used to collectively refer to the Pacific jurisdictions affiliated with the United States, including both territories and freely associated states.
TERRITORIES
- American Samoa
- Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)
- Guam
FREELY ASSOCIATED STATES
- Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)
- Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI)
- Republic of Palau