The United States' First Territory Acquisition Beyond the Contiguous States

In “How to Hide an Empire,” Daniel Immerwahr explores America far beyond the borders of the Lower 48. The United States has officially expanded its geographical territory by one million square kilometers — an area nearly 60 percent the size of Alaska. This expansion marked a significant moment in American history, as it was the first time the country acquired territory beyond its 48 contiguous states.

The United States of America is an immense federal republic spanning from the southern half of Northern America to Alaska and Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. While the contiguous 48 states are often the focus of discussions about the country's geography, its territorial expansion has reached far beyond these borders.

Since the 1980s, the United States has invested considerable resources to develop and field ballistic missile defenses to protect the U.S. This investment in national security highlights the importance of maintaining and expanding territories beyond the 48 contiguous states.

The long read: The United States likes to think of itself as a republic, but it holds territories all over the world – the map you always see doesn't tell the whole story. The acquisition of new territories has shaped the country's identity and global presence in significant ways.

Each of the 50 states that comprise the United States of America has its own shape. How their shapes were determined provides insight into the historical and political factors that influenced territorial expansion.