What is the Number of States in the USA - 50 or 52? The United States of America is widely recognized for the iconic stars and stripes flag, the Statue of Liberty, and being a melting pot of cultures. However, when it comes to the number of states in the country, there seems to be some confusion. Is it 50 or 52? Let's dive into the history and reasons behind these conflicting numbers. To clarify, the correct answer is 50 states in the United States of America. This number has been consistent since 1959, when Hawaii became the 50th state admitted into the Union. However, debates and misconceptions about the number of states persist, leading some to believe that there are actually 52 states in the country. Where does this misconception originate from? One theory is that people mistakenly count Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. as additional states, bringing the total to 52. Although they are not officially recognized as states, both Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. have governments that function similarly to those of states, which can cause confusion. For example, both have their own governors, mayors, and representatives in the national legislature. While Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. are not considered states, they do have certain rights and privileges. Residents of Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens, and they can elect their own governor and representatives to Congress. However, they do not have voting representation in the U.S. Senate and only have non-voting representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives. Similarly, residents of Washington, D.C. are U.S. citizens but have limited voting representation in Congress. Another source of confusion regarding the number of states is the presence of American overseas territories such as Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. While these territories are not states, they have a unique relationship with the United States. Residents of these territories are U.S. citizens but do not have voting representation in Congress. As a result, the inclusion of these territories in discussions about the number of states can lead to misconceptions about the count. It's worth noting that discussions about increasing the number of states aren't entirely unheard of. Some proponents argue that Puerto Rico should be granted statehood, while others have suggested the same for Washington, D.C. However, until an official decision is made, the number of states officially remains at 50. To conclude, the United States of America is made up of 50 states. Confusion surrounding the number of states often arises from the inclusion of territories and the unique governance structure of Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. While Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. have some similarities to states, they are not officially considered part of the 50-state count. So, the next time someone asks if there are 50 or 52 states in the USA, you can confidently state that there are indeed 50 states.