Introduction to the USA 

The USA

Statue of Liberty

This section of the U.S. Embassy website contains links to a broad range of information about the United States.

This section should be particularly useful for students and teachers in Ireland who are learning and teaching about the United States.

(Please note that links to external pages do not constitute an endorsement by the U.S. government.)

The United States consists of 50 states and Washington D.C. The last two to join the Union were Alaska (49th) and Hawaii (50th). Both joined in 1959.

Washington DC is a federal district under the authority of the U.S. Congress. Washington DC is represented in Congress by an elected, non-voting Delegate to the House of Representatives. Residents have been able to vote in presidential elections since 1961.

Puerto Rico is a commonwealth associated with the United States.    Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens.   Puerto Ricans do not vote in U.S. Presidential elections, but they do elect a non-voting commissioner to the U.S. House of  Representatives. 

U.S. Virgin Islands - St. John, St. Croix, and St. Thomas is an unincorporated territory of the United States. Administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior.    Indigenous inhabitants are U.S. citizens, but do not vote in U.S. Presidential elections.

Northern Mariana Islands is a commonwealth in political union with the United States. Self-governing with locally elected governor and legislature.  American Samoa is a unincorporated territory of the United States. Administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior. 

Guam is a unincorporated territory of the United States. Administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior. Inhabitants are U.S. citizens, but do not vote in U.S. Presidential elections.

Other Dependent Areas of the United States: Baker Island - Howland Island - Jarvis Island - Johnston Atoll - Kingman Reef - Midway Islands - Navassa Island - Palmyra Atoll - Wake Island

The 50 States of the United States

All states have official homepages, that provide general information as well as tourist information and information about the state government. Below is a list of all the states and links to the homepage.