US Territories Words You May Not Know
There are five major U.S. territories: American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. All of these regions are governed by local governments, but must abide by federal law. Listed below are English words that you may not know, and Word Lists are provided for these terms. You’ll also find information on the states and cities that encompass the U.S. territories.
Guam
The climate on Guam is generally warm and humid, with temperatures ranging from the low 70s to the mid-80s Fahrenheit. While the rainy season can be very dry, the trade winds remain generally easterly or northeast. There are two distinct seasons on Guam: the dry season, which begins in December and runs through May, and the rainy season, which occurs from July to November. Annual rainfall is typically between 80 and 110 inches.
The most prominent component of Guam’s economy is tourism, with more than a million tourists visiting annually. The island’s main tourist attraction is Tumon Bay, which has been developed into a luxury tourist region. The airport connects Guam with other Pacific islands. There are also numerous other international airlines that service the island. The United States maintains an air force base at Hagatna and is a major source of employment for Guam’s 50,000 military personnel.
Puerto Rico
After the Spanish-American War, Puerto Rico was taken from Spain and became a U.S. territory in 1898. The island is home to about 3.4 million people, all of whom are U.S. citizens. Although it’s not an independent country, Puerto Rico still has certain laws that treat it like a state. In fact, it has the same status in the US as Kentucky. This article provides an overview of the laws governing Puerto Rico.
The government of Puerto Rico consists of two houses, the Senate and the House. Each chamber has two members, one from each electoral district, and one member from each of the other. In the Senate, there are two members elected proportionally to the population of each district. In each house, there are two extra seats for the opposition, limiting each party’s majority to two-thirds. However, Puerto Rico has a lower house of government, and the people are given the right to vote in it based on a majority or a minority.
Northern Mariana Islands
The Northern Mariana Islands, US territories, were once part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. After Japan’s defeat in World War II, the islands were administered by the United States and became a part of the U.N. Trust Territory. In the early 1970s, the local population voted not to seek independence and forged closer ties with the U.S. The Mariana Islands Covenant of 1976 and a new government were signed in 1978. The islands have no senators and no presidential election.
The Northern Mariana Islands are mostly composed of Chamorro people, descendants of the original settlers. A small percentage of the population are Filipino or other Pacific Islanders, and one-fourth are Asians. A small number of Carolinians are native, but they represent a minority of the population. While Roman Catholicism predominates, the islands are home to a substantial minority of Protestants and independent Christians.
