Organized incorporated territories are
territories of the United States that are both
incorporated (part of the United States proper) and
organized (having an organized government authorized by an
Organic Act passed by the
U.S. Congress, usually consisting of a territorial legislature, territorial governor, and a basic judicial system). There have been no such territories since Alaska and Hawaii were admitted as states in 1959. Through most of U.S. history, regions that were
admitted as U.S. states were, prior to admission, territories or parts of territories of this kind. As the United States grew, the most populous parts of the organized territory would achieve statehood.
The remainder frequently kept at least some of the governing structure of the old
legal entity (territory) and would be renamed to avoid confusion.