The map above comes from the cover of Daniel Immerwahr’s best selling book: How To Hide An Empire: A History of the Greater United States.
Out of curiosity I decided to look at the size of the various territories mentioned on the cover relative to the size of the 48 contiguous United States.
The contiguous United States occupies an area of 3,119,884.69 square miles (8,080,464.3 km2) and the 2020 U.S. census population of the area was 328,571,074 which is 99.13% percent of the nation’s total population.
Here are the other territories included on the cover are:
| Country/Territory | Size (sq miles) | Size (km²) | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 665,384 | 1,723,337 | 740,133 |
| Hawaii | 10,931 | 28,313 | 1,441,553 |
| Saipan | 45.94 | 118.98 | 43,385 |
| Bikini Atoll | 2.3 | 6 | 0 |
| Philippines | 115,831 | 300,000 | 114,163,719 |
| Guantanamo Bay | 45 | 116 | 8,500 |
| US Virgin Islands | 133.73 | 346.36 | 87,146 |
| Thule Air Base (now Pituffik Space Base) | — | — | 600 |
| Swan Islands | 1.2 | 3.1 | 0 |
| Guam | 210 | 540 | 168,801 |
| Puerto Rico | 5,325 | 13,792 | 3,285,874 |
| Total | 797,909 | 2,066,572 | 119,939,711 |
This means that these countries/territories combined have a population that is around 36% that of the United States and a combined area that is around 25% as large.
Here’s more on what the book itself is about.
Summary:
“How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States” by Daniel Immerwahr offers a comprehensive examination of America’s territorial expansions beyond the contiguous states.
The book looks into the nation’s acquisitions, such as Puerto Rico, Guam, the Philippines, and other territories, highlighting how these regions have significantly influenced the country’s economic and political trajectory.
Immerwahr challenges the conventional “logo map” representation of the U.S., which typically excludes its overseas territories.
By bringing these regions into focus, he reveals a more intricate narrative of American history, emphasizing the nation’s imperial endeavors and their lasting impacts.
The book is structured into two main sections:
- The Colonial Empire: This part traces U.S. history from its early expansions to World War II, shedding light on the nation’s formal colonial acquisitions and the dynamics of its territorial governance.
- The Pointillist Empire: Focusing on the post-World War II era, this section explores how the U.S. transitioned from traditional colonialism to establishing a global presence through numerous military bases and strategic points worldwide.
Upon its release, “How to Hide an Empire” received critical acclaim for its insightful and thought-provoking content.
Reviewers praised Immerwahr’s ability to present a nuanced perspective on American history, bringing to light the often-overlooked aspects of the nation’s imperial past.
The book has been lauded for its engaging narrative and meticulous research, making it a significant contribution to historical literature.
Overall, Daniel Immerwahr’s work has been well-received by both scholars and general readers, sparking discussions about the broader implications of America’s territorial expansions and its identity as an empire.
It currently has a score of 4.46 out of 5 based on 17,003 ratings and 2,497 reviews on Goodreads.
You can buy a copy on Amazon here.
Also see:
And finally here’s an alterative cover of the book:
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