The story of the American Empire

[politicus]

You all view it very much from a legal/constitutional POV, without including the moral and political aspects of the question.

Unlike Europe decolonization hasn't really been an issue in the US, apart from the Philippines, but there is the obvious question of whether some of those areas should simply become independent? Even if the population isn't interested in it today, the offer of self determination ought to be on the table for future generations as a legal option.

The US has together with France kept far more of its old colonies than any other nation. I think at least West Samoa and Samoa should ideally be reunited. Guam and Northern Marianas are also too different from the US to be "American" in any meaningful way. As a minimum there should be referendums on the future legal status in all territories.

The so called "voluntary" compacts with the three small Micronesian nations are also problematic. Its former UN mandates and especially in the case of Palau - the last UN mandate to become independent (1994) - they were essentially forced to sign the compact if they were ever to become independent.

[politicus]

The US has together with France kept far more of its old colonies than any other nation.

Ahem.  British Overseas Territories

Excluding the British part of Antarctica that's only 27.500 km2.

[politicus]

The US has together with France kept far more of its old colonies than any other nation.

Ahem.  British Overseas Territories

Excluded the British part of Antarctica that's only 27.500 km2.

That's still 10 separate territories with native inhabitants and doesn't include the Crown Dependencies. It also doesn't count the displaced natives of the BIOT, and counts St. Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha as 1 territory instead of the 3 they actually are.

Doesn't really matter how you count. Whats left of the mighty British Empire is small change.
BOT have 350.000 inhabitants. Vs. New Caledonia alone is 262.000. Puerto Rico is 3,6 mio.

[politicus]

The US has together with France kept far more of its old colonies than any other nation.

Ahem.  British Overseas Territories

Excluded the British part of Antarctica that's only 27.500 km2.

That's still 10 separate territories with native inhabitants and doesn't include the Crown Dependencies. It also doesn't count the displaced natives of the BIOT, and counts St. Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha as 1 territory instead of the 3 they actually are.

Doesn't really matter how you count. Whats left of the mighty British Empire is small change.
BOT have 350.000 inhabitants. Vs. New Caledonia alone is 262.000. Puerto Rico is 3,6 mio.

If we are counting this by area wouldn't your nation top the list?

Greenland is roughly the same size as India, so yes.