### Question
How is the term United States defined?


### Answer
The term **United States** is defined in *33 U.S.C. § 3801* as the following:

> the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, and any other territory or possession over which the United States has jurisdiction

#### Citation:
  - *33 U.S.C. § 3801*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 51-CLEAN HULLS > SUBCHAPTER I-GENERAL PROVISIONS**

