| |
 Population |
| |
With a population approaching 300,000,000, the United States is the third-largest country in the world, after China and India. The median age is estimated at close to 35 years. |
| |
People |
| |
Ethnic and cultural diversity define America. While the majority of Americans are of European descent, there are sizable minority groups. The largest groups are Hispanic and African-American, each comprising about 12.5% of the population. The Hispanic group includes people of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, and many other origins. People of Asian origin, predominantly from China, the Philippines, India, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan, comprise about 3.6%, of the population. The Native American population of the United States, which includes natives of Alaska such as Eskimos and Aleuts, is about 1% of the population. Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders are about .1% of the population. Persons who define themselves as being of mixed racial background constituted 2.4% of the population in 2000, but the number of people with a mixed racial background, especially in the African-American and Hispanic populations, is in fact much higher. |
| |
Religion |
| |
The majority of Americans are Christians, mainly Protestants (56 %) of many denominations. Roman Catholics comprises 28 % of the population. Roughly 2.5% of Americans adhere to Judaism, and some 1%–2% are Muslims. |
| |
Education |
| |
Education in the United States is administered chiefly by the individual states. Each of the 50 states has free, public primary and secondary schools. There are also more than 3,500 institutions of higher learning, both privately and state supported. |
| |
Cultural Identity |
| |
At the core of the cultural outlook in America is a belief in freedom and self-determination, with much emphasis on individuality and personal identity. Americans are quick to protest laws or restrictions they view as an infringement upon their personal rights, and there is much flexibility in personal expression. Americans are encouraged to be involved in the community, and to question the system. |
| |
Visas |
| |
In an effort to minimize the threat of terrorism, the U.S. is constantly adjusting entry requirements. Visitors are strongly recommended to check up-to-date regulations before coming to the U.S., as changes will most likely occur for several years. Since 2004 most visitors traveling on visas to the United States have been required to have two fingerprints scanned by an inkless device and a digital photograph taken by immigration officials upon entry at air and seaports. |
| |
Government |
| |
The United States is a constitution-based federal republic, with government divided to three branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial. The executive branch is headed by the President, who also serves as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. The legislative branch consists of Congress, divided to two chambers – the Senate and the House of Representatives. The judicial branch hears cases that challenge or require interpretation of legislation passed by Congress and signed by the President. |
| |
Time |
| |
Life in the United States may seem rushed. Americans are usually time conscious, and punctuality is very important in many situations. When you make an appointment to see someone, you are expected to arrive at the appointed time. If you are late, the person you were to see may be unable to meet with you. |
| |
Time Zones |
| |
The continental United States is divided into four time zones: Eastern Standard Time (EST), Central Standard Time (CST), Mountain Standard Time (MST), and Pacific Standard Time (PST). Alaska and Hawaii have their own zones. Noon in New York City (EST) is 11 am in Chicago (CST), 10 am in Denver (MST), 9 am in Los Angeles (PST), 8 am in Anchorage (AST), and 7 am in Honolulu (HST). |
| |
Media |
| |
The U.S. has the most highly-developed mass media in the world. American-made dramas, comedies, soap operas, animations, music videos, and films have a global audience. Television is the most popular medium, and it is mostly slick, fast-moving, and heavily laden with advertising. There are around 10,000 commercial radio stations in the U.S.. Stations in urban areas cater to almost every musical taste, language preference, and world-view. |
| |
Geography |
| |
The world's third-largest country by size (after Russia and Canada), the United States is
about two and a half times the size of Western Europe and about half the size of South America. Mt. McKinley, in Alaska, is the highest point in the country, and Death Valley, in California, is the lowest point. The country consists of a vast central plain, with mountains in the west, and hills and low mountains in the east. Alaska is made of rugged mountains and broad river valleys, and Hawaii of rugged, volcanic topography |
| |
Political Geography |
| |
The United States is divided into several regions: New England, Middle Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest, Great Plains states, Mountain states, Southwest, and Far West. Each region includes several states:
New England: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut
Middle Atlantic: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia
Southeastern states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky
Midwest: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri
Great Plains states: North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas
Mountain states: Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah
Southwest: Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona
Far West: Washington, Oregon, California, and Nevada
Alaska is the largest state and Rhode Island is the smallest. California has the largest population and Wyoming the smallest. In the late 20th century, Nevada, Arizona, Florida, Colorado, Utah, Georgia, and Texas experienced the fastest rates of population growth, while California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Arizona, and North Carolina gained the greatest number of residents. West Virginia, North Dakota, and the District of Columbia experienced population decreases over the same period. |
| |
The National Park System |
| |
The National Park System of the United States is run by the National Park Service, a bureau of the Department of the Interior. Yellowstone, opened in 1872, was the first national park in the world. The park system includes not only scenic exhibits, but also a large number of sites distinguished for their historic importance and/or scientific interest. The National Park System is made up of 376 areas covering more than 83 million acres in every state except Delaware. It also includes areas in the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. |
| |
Weather |
| |
The weather is mostly temperate, but with pronounced regional variations. Hawaii and Florida are tropical, Alaska is arctic, the great plains west of the Mississippi River are semiarid, and the Great Basin of the southwest is arid. |
| |
Electricity |
| |
The United States uses 110-120 volts AC (60 cycles), compared to 220-240 volts AC (50 cycles) in most of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. You'll need a 110-volt transformer and a plug adapter with two flat parallel pins to operate your small appliances here. Downward converters that change 220-240 volts to 110-120 volts are hard to find in the United States, so bring one with you. |
| |
Weights and measures |
| |
Much of the world uses the metric system for weights and measures, but the United States, like Britain, uses the imperial system. Below is a list of common measurements:
inch = 2.54 cm
foot = 304.8 cm
mile = 1.6093 km
ounce = 28.35 gr or 28.413 ml
pound = .4536 kg
pint = .5683 liters
quart = 1.1365 liters |
 Back to top
|
|
Get a Moving Quote 
