What are the difference between U.S. commonwealths territories and possessions?

U.S. commonwealths, territories, and possessions refer to different types of political entities under U.S. jurisdiction. Commonwealths, like Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, have a degree of self-governance and their own constitutions, often with more autonomy than typical territories. Territories, such as Guam and American Samoa, are governed by federal law but have limited self-governing powers, while possessions generally refer to areas under U.S. sovereignty without full statehood that may not have the same political structure or rights as commonwealths or territories. Overall, the distinctions largely relate to governance, autonomy, and the rights of residents.