What is a current U.S. territory?

Puerto Rico is currently a U.S. territory, which means it is under the jurisdiction of the United States but is not one of the 50 states. Puerto Rico has its own local government and constitution, but its residents are U.S. citizens and are subject to U.S. federal laws. The political status of Puerto Rico is unique, as it has the option to seek statehood or maintain its current territorial status, and it has also held referendums to gauge public support for these options.

Pico Island is part of Portugal, not affiliated with the United States. Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark and does not belong to the U.S. Finally, while Alaska is indeed a U.S. state, it is not a territory; rather, it was once a territory before achieving statehood in 1959. Understanding the distinction between states and territories is important in recognizing the political landscape of the U.S. and its relations with various regions.