<P> Commonwealth is a designation used by four of the 50 states of the United States in their full official state names: Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia . Prior to 1776, each was, either entirely or in part, a British colony; all four share in common a strong influence of English common law expressed in some of their laws and institutions . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Administrative divisions of the United States </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> First level </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> State (Commonwealth) </Li> </Ul> <Ul> <Li> Federal district </Li> <Li> Territory (Commonwealth) </Li> </Ul> <Ul> <Li> Indian reservation (list) / Hawaiian home land / Alaska Native tribal entity / Pueblo / Off - reservation trust land </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Second level </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> County / Parish / Borough </Li> <Li> Unorganized Borough / Census area / Villages / District (USVI) / District (AS) </Li> </Ul> <Ul> <Li> Consolidated city - county </Li> <Li> Independent city </Li> <Li> Municipality </Li> </Ul> <Ul> <Li> Unorganized atoll </Li> </Ul> <Ul> <Li> State - recognized tribes </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Third level </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> Township </Li> </Ul> <Ul> <Li> Cities, towns, and villages </Li> <Li> Coterminous municipality </Li> </Ul> <Ul> <Li> Barrio </Li> <Li> Chapter </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Fourth level </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> Ward </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Other areas </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> Protected areas (Conservation district, National Monument, National Park) </Li> </Ul> <Ul> <Li> Congressional district </Li> </Ul> <Ul> <Li> Homeowner association </Li> </Ul> <Ul> <Li> Associated state </Li> </Ul> <Ul> <Li> Military base </Li> <Li> Federal enclave </Li> </Ul> <Ul> <Li> Unincorporated area </Li> <Li> Ghost town </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> </Table>

Is west virginia a state or a commonwealth
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