Home > Commonwealth (U.S. insular area)

There are currently two United States insular areas holding the status of commonwealth, the Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico. The Philippine Islands was an insular area that held commonwealth status from March 24, 1934 until July 4, 1946, when the United States recognized the independence and sovereignty of the Philippines (see: Commonwealth of the Philippines).

The term must be distinguished from its usage in the names of the U.S. states of Virginia, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and KentuckyCommonwealth of Kentucky ( In Detail) (Full size) State nickname: Bluegrass State Other U. States Capital Frankfort Largest City Louisville Governor Ernie Fletcher Area Total Land Water % water Ranked 37th 104,749 km² 102,989 km² 1,760 km² 1. 7% Populatio, which officially describe themselves as " commonwealthAlternative meaning: the Commonwealth of Nations The English noun Commonwealth dates originally from the fifteenth century and in different contexts indicates one of: # a nation, state or political unit # a state founded on law by agreement of the peoples" but hold the same legal and political status as other states of the Union.