Colonies are areas of land under the control of another state/country, often leading to displacement of native residents. Some colonies seek independence to govern themselves. Puerto Rico and Guam/Northern Mariana Islands are US colonies without full statehood rights. Gibraltar is a British colony recognized as a state by the EU. Some territories want full political participation or independence. Colonial relationships can have benefits, but also lead to lack of representation.
A colony is an area of land under the loose or strict control of another state/country. It can be a place where settlers from the state move, sometimes displacing native residents, or a place where a state claims property or the right to govern the people there. Like the American colonies under British control in the 1700s, many of the modern ones are located in what might be considered unincorporated areas, where residents are subject to the laws of the country claiming the area, but cannot participate in life the political process that creates these laws. This has led some colonies in modern times to seek independence from a controlling state so they can govern themselves and pass laws appropriate to their land, culture and beliefs.
The United States has two areas of land that can be considered colonies as well as commonwealths: Puerto Rico and Guam/Northern Mariana Islands. While in the past, such U.S. territories, especially in contiguous states, lobbied for full statehood rights, not all Puerto Rico citizens are interested in this. Some, however, campaign to make Puerto Rico into a true state or independent country, as opposed to a Commonwealth.
Citizens of Puerto Rico abide by United States federal laws, but cannot vote to make or change federal laws. They have no representation through Senators or House Representatives, although they are subject to the laws of the United States by agreement between the leaders of the Puerto Rican government and the United States. The island has its own republican government, but its relationship with the United States is still somewhat colonial.
Another colony, held by the United Kingdom, is Gibraltar, a British territory since the passage of the Treaty of Utrecht in the early 18th century. The country’s leader is Queen Elizabeth II, although, again, Gibraltar has its own government. Unlike other such areas, Gibraltar is recognized as a state by the European Union, which is unusual. Also, Gibraltar does not use the name ‘colony’ to describe its relationship to the UK and instead prefers to be referred to as an ‘overseas territory’. It is still subject to the laws in the UK.
There are other small territories and islands that have colonial relations with countries. The number continues to decline as people in the territories feel they have a right to be recognized as part of a larger country or as an independent state. Many want the full right to participate in the political vote or process, or to be considered completely separate from the other country.
There can be benefits to the colonial relationship when a state is small. For example, a disaster in Puerto Rico would likely mean that the United States would quickly come to his aid and bring in the funds needed for recovery. Difficulties can also arise when the people who live there are not really considered citizens and have no representation.
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