U.S. states
U.S.
U.S. states are the 50 constituent political entities that make up the United States of America. They share sovereignty with the federal government and each has its own state government. Four states officially use the title "commonwealth" rather than "state," but their legal status is the same as the others.
Definition
U.S. states are the 50 federated units of the United States. They are subnational political entities that share powers with the federal government under the U.S. constitutional system.
Government and status
Each state has its own government and operates within powers reserved to it by the Constitution. Although four states use the style "commonwealth," this does not create a different legal category from other states.
Geographic distribution
Most states are in the contiguous mainland of North America. Alaska and Hawaii are geographically separate from the contiguous 48 states.
States versus other U.S. jurisdictions
The U.S. states are distinct from Washington, D.C., which is a federal district, and from U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and Guam.
Key facts
- The United States is made up of 50 states.
- States share sovereignty with the federal government.
- Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Kentucky are called commonwealths.
- Washington, D.C. is a federal district, not a state.
- Alaska and Hawaii are the only non-contiguous states.
For Canadian readers, U.S. states are the main subnational units of the United States, similar in broad administrative role to Canadian provinces, though the two countries have different constitutional systems.
Frequently asked questions
How many U.S. states are there?
Is Washington, D.C. a state?
Which states are called commonwealths?
Do the states share power with the federal government?
Which states are not in the contiguous U.S.?
References
- Wikipedia — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estado_de_los_Estados_UnidosSupports: U.S. states are the 50 federated entities of the United States; four use the title commonwealth.
- Wikipedia — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estados_UnidosSupports: The United States is a federation composed of fifty states and a federal district.
- Ahora EG — https://ahoraeg.com/viajes/geografia-y-poblacion/estados-de-estados-unidos/Supports: There are 50 states; Washington, D.C. is a federal district; Hawaii is not in the continental U.S.