U.S. territories are regions that are under the jurisdiction of the United States but are not states. These areas have varying degrees of self-governance and include places like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Residents of these territories are U.S. citizens, but they do not have the same voting rights as citizens in the states. The governance of U.S. territories is defined by federal law, and they may have their own local governments. While they can elect representatives to the U.S. Congress, these representatives cannot vote on legislation. The status and rights of these territories can vary significantly.