Beyond its 50 states, the United States includes five territories — areas that are part of the country but are not states. And at the center of the nation’s government sits a unique city that is neither a state nor a territory: Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. Both topics come up on the civics test.
U.S. Territories
A U.S. territory An area that is part of the United States but is not a state. The United States has five territories. is an area that is part of the United States but does not have the same status as a state. The U.S. has five territories. They are Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
The Five U.S. Territories and Their Capitals
| Territory | Capital |
|---|---|
| Puerto Rico | San Juan |
| Guam | Hagåtña |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | Charlotte Amalie |
| American Samoa | Fagatogo |
| Northern Mariana Islands | Saipan |
Washington, D.C.: The Capital of the United States
The capital of the United States is Washington, D.C. The capital city of the United States. It is not part of any state and is controlled directly by the federal government. It is located between the states of Maryland and Virginia. 'D.C.' stands for District of Columbia. . Unlike every other major American city, Washington, D.C., is not located within any state — it exists as its own distinct federal district, controlled directly by the federal government.
Why Is It Called Washington, D.C.?
The city is named after George Washington — the first President of the United States, who is also known as the “Father of Our Country.” The letters “D.C.” stand for “District of Columbia.” Washington, D.C., is located between the states of Maryland and Virginia.
Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States. It is named after George Washington, the first President. D.C. stands for “District of Columbia.” Washington, D.C., is not part of any state — it sits between Maryland and Virginia and is controlled by the federal government.
Washington, D.C. and the Civics Test
Because Washington, D.C., is not a state, it has some distinct characteristics that matter for the civics test. It does not have U.S. Senators — only states have senators, and D.C. is not a state. If asked on the civics test how many senators your state has and you live in D.C., the correct answer is that D.C. does not have a senator. Washington, D.C., is also governed differently from states: it does not have a governor, as only states have governors.
If you live in Washington, D.C.: D.C. does not have U.S. Senators and does not have a governor, because it is not a state. These distinctions are directly testable on the civics exam.
State Capitals
In addition to the national capital, every state in the United States has its own state capital. State capitals are where the state government is based and where the state legislature meets.
Wrapping Up
The five U.S. territories — Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands — are places to know by name for the civics test. Washington, D.C., is equally important: know that it is the capital, that “D.C.” stands for District of Columbia, that it is named after George Washington, and that it is located between Maryland and Virginia. Its unique status as a federal district — not a state — also means it has no senators and no governor, which are details the test may ask about.
Are people who live in U.S. territories U.S. citizens?
People born in Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands are U.S. citizens by birth. People born in American Samoa are U.S. nationals, which is a related but distinct status. However, residents of the territories generally cannot vote in presidential elections unless they move to one of the 50 states. The specifics of territorial citizenship are complex, but for the civics test the key fact is simply that there are five U.S. territories and what they are named.
Does Washington, D.C., have any representation in Congress?
Washington, D.C., has a non-voting delegate in the House of Representatives — meaning someone who can participate in debates and committee work but cannot cast votes on final legislation. It does not have voting members of Congress in the same way that states do, and it has no U.S. Senators. This is because D.C. is not a state. For the civics test, the key answer is simply that D.C. does not have senators because it is not a state.
What does 'D.C.' stand for in the name Washington, D.C.?
- The U.S. has five territories — areas that are part of the U.S. but are not states.
- The five territories are: Puerto Rico (capital: San Juan), Guam (capital: Hagåtña), U.S. Virgin Islands (capital: Charlotte Amalie), American Samoa (capital: Fagatogo), and Northern Mariana Islands (capital: Saipan).
- The capital of the United States is Washington, D.C.
- Washington, D.C., is named after George Washington — the first President and “Father of Our Country.”
- D.C. stands for “District of Columbia.”
- Washington, D.C., is located between the states of Maryland and Virginia.
- Washington, D.C., is not part of any state — it is controlled directly by the federal government.
- Because D.C. is not a state, it does not have U.S. Senators and does not have a governor.
- Every state also has its own state capital.