Introduction
The United States of America is a vast and complex country with a rich history that reflects the diverse backgrounds of its citizens. In the late 18th century, thirteen colonies formed a union, each contributing unique cultural and political perspectives. Over time, the United States has grown into a global superpower that has served as a beacon of democracy and innovation. It has produced some of the world’s most significant inventors, entrepreneurs, and politicians, shaping the world in many ways.
The US has led in technology, finance, entertainment, and many others. Its ideas have led to countless industrial revolutions and policy reforms that have impacted the globe positively. The country’s constitution, widely regarded as one of the most sophisticated legal documents ever drafted, has served as a model for emerging democracies worldwide.
The US has also grappled with significant challenges throughout its history, including slavery, immigration rights, civil rights movements, and international conflicts. While progress has been made, these issues remain hotly debated and serve as a reminder of the need for ongoing dialogue and action.
Despite its challenges, the United States remains a beacon of opportunity and hope for millions worldwide. The country’s citizens, immigrants, and rebels continue to shape its culture and politics, and its influence on the world stage will endure for generations to come.
Jump to Introduction, Geography, Climate, People & Society, Economy, Insight, Google Maps, Facts, and Did You Know about the United States. Or visit the driving directions page for routing instructions.
Geography
The topography of the United States is one of its most striking features, offering an incredible variety of landscapes that range from snow-capped peaks to arid deserts. In the northeast, forested mountains stretch from Maine to Connecticut and are known for their stunning fall foliage displays. These mountains give way to lowlands and swamps in the country’s southern regions, such as Florida and Louisiana, where wetlands and bayous teem with life.
The mighty Mississippi-Missouri River system marks the central plains of the US, the region’s lifeblood. The Great Lakes, which border Canada, form the world’s largest freshwater system and provide resources to the surrounding areas. These regions are critical to the country’s agricultural industry, providing fertile land for the growth of crops like wheat, corn, and soybeans.
To the west, the Rocky Mountains dominate the landscape, containing some of the highest peaks in North America. Active volcanoes and geothermal activity characterize this region, and the earthquake-prone San Andreas Fault punctuates the drop to the coast. The southwestern region of the US is defined by arid deserts, with vast expanses of sand and rock stretching as far as the eye can see.
Finally, mountainous Alaska to the far north is mostly Arctic tundra, with snow-capped peaks and glaciers home to various wildlife, including caribou and polar bears. Its rugged terrain and harsh climate make it a challenging but rewarding destination for those seeking adventure and isolation.
Taken together, this varied topography is a testament to the incredible diversity of the United States, showcasing the beauty and complexity of its natural world.
Climate
The United States is home to diverse climates, driven by its vast size and varied topography. The country has four main climatic zones with distinct weather patterns and environmental characteristics.
The first zone is found in the north and eastern regions of the US, where the climate is continental and temperate. This region is characterized by heavy rainfall, warm summers, and cold winters, with temperatures ranging from -25°C to 30°C. The forests and plains of this area are well-suited to agriculture, and the snowfall in winter provides significant amounts of freshwater for the surrounding communities.
Florida and the Deep South form the second climatic zone, with a tropical weather system prone to hurricanes and other extreme weather events. These regions receive high levels of rainfall throughout the year, with temperatures routinely topping 35°C in the summer. With low elevation and dense forestation, Florida and the Deep South remain at high risk of severe flooding.
The third climatic zone is found in the southwest, where the region is an arid desert with searing summer heat and scattered rainfall. This region receives less than 25 cm of rainfall annually, and temperatures soar to over 40°C in the summer. The rugged terrain of this area makes it challenging to establish a permanent settlement, and water management is a critical issue for local communities.
Finally, Southern California sits in a Mediterranean climatic zone, with hot summers and mild winters. The region is characterized by its Mediterranean-inspired landscape, with coastal plains, vibrant orange groves, and sprawling urban centers. While wildfires and droughts pose regular but singular threats to the region, its location close to the Pacific Ocean creates a mild climate that suits a variety of lifestyles.
Overall, the varied climates of the US provide a range of living environments that suit different lifestyles. They also present unique challenges for residents, who must adapt their way of life to thrive in their respective areas.
People & Society
The United States has a complex and layered society shaped by its colonization, migration, and social movements history. Despite the demographic, economic, and cultural dominance of White Americans that has been entrenched for over 400 years, the ethnic balance of the country is shifting in several ways.
Barack Obama’s presidency as the first non-White US President in 2009 marked a significant turning point in American history, signifying a shift towards a more diverse leadership. The African-American community has a strong consciousness, uprooted by the slave trade and fighting for equal rights and representation. The Black Lives Matter movement has recently gained momentum, pushing for meaningful change in the policing of black communities.
The Hispanic community in the US is the fastest-growing ethnic group and is predicted to number over 30% of the population by 2050. This group could be more well-organized socially but is numerically and politically significant. Issues surrounding immigration, border control, and citizenship have created heated debates in the US political scene.
Native Americans were dispossessed of their lands in the 19th century and faced many social, economic, and political challenges. They are among the poorest people in the country, with high rates of poverty, substance abuse, and health issues.
The separation of state and religion is enshrined in the US Constitution, but conservative Christianity is increasingly dominant in the political arena. Issues like abortion, same-sex marriage, and religious freedom have become hotly debated political issues, with conservative Christian groups advocating for traditional values and practices.
Living standards in the US are generally high, but bad diet, sedentary lifestyles, and poor healthcare have led to over a third of Americans being obese. Health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are prevalent among low-income and marginalized communities.
In conclusion, the US is a complex society experiencing significant demographic and cultural shifts, with various challenges and opportunities. The country’s ability to address these issues and navigate its social, economic, and political landscape will be critical in shaping its future.
The Economy
The United States is the world’s largest economy, with a huge resource base and a diverse range of well-established industries. The country is strong in high-tech fields like software development, engineering, and entertainment industries such as Hollywood. The global spread of US culture, from music to TV shows, has profoundly impacted popular culture worldwide.
However, the decline of manufacturing in the US has been a significant challenge, as jobs have been lost to low-wage economies overseas. This has contributed to economic insecurity among American workers and has led to calls for policies prioritizing domestic job creation.
In the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the US launched a “war on terrorism,” which involved military involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq. Combined with a drive to cut taxes, the government debt spiraled. Hurricane Katrina hit oil production in 2005, further impacting the country’s economy.
The financial crisis of 2008, triggered by a “bubble” of excessive risky mortgage lending, led to the collapse of Lehman Brothers Bank and sent shockwaves through the global economy. In response, the US government implemented an economic incentive program, combining tax cuts with more public spending, to lift the country out of recession. However, this widened the already large budget deficit.
Subsequent governments, including President Obama’s, struggled with these economic challenges. Pressure to cut spending has hurt the government’s social agenda, while conservative opponents denounce tax increases as a threat to growth. Managing the country’s economy remains a contentious issue in US politics, with no clear consensus on balancing economic growth with fiscal responsibility.
Insight
The United States Census Bureau conducts a population census every 10 years. Data is collected on various aspects of the population, including age, gender, race, housing, income, and education. The information gathered in the census is used for various purposes, including redistricting, policymaking, and research.
To ensure the privacy and confidentiality of respondents, by law, the actual records collected in a United States census must remain confidential for 72 years. This means individual responses are not shared with anyone else during this period, including other government agencies or law enforcement.
This provision encourages greater participation in the census by guaranteeing confidentiality and privacy, especially regarding sensitive information such as income, employment status, and household characteristics. It also allows future generations to uncover information about their ancestors, including where they lived, occupations, and family structures.
While the data collected in the census is strictly confidential, statistical summaries and aggregated data are made publicly available. This allows researchers, policymakers, and members of the public to use the data for a range of purposes, from tracking demographic trends to developing social programs. The US census remains one of the most important initiatives undertaken by the government, enabling an understanding of the country’s changing demographics and facilitating evidence-based policymaking.
Google Maps
Facts
Name: United States
Languages: English only 78.2%, Spanish 13.4%, Chinese 1.1%, other 7.3% (2017 estimate). Note: data represent the language spoken at home; the US has no official national language, but English has acquired official status in 32 of the 50 states; Hawaiian is an official language in the state of Hawaii, and 20 indigenous languages are official in Alaska
ISO code: us, internet: .us
Capital city: Washington, DC, GPS: 38 53 N, 77 02 W
Time: UTC-5 (during Standard Time) (+1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November)
Population: 339,665,118 (2023 estimate). Note: the US Census Bureaus 2020 census results show the US population as 331,449,281 as of 1 April 2020; the United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refugees have no indigenous inhabitants.
Jarvis Island: Millersville settlement on the western side of the island was occasionally used as a weather station from 1935 until World War II, when it was abandoned; reoccupied in 1957 during the International Geophysical Year by scientists who left in 1958; currently unoccupied.
Johnston Atoll: in previous years, an average of 1,100 US military and civilian contractor personnel were present; as of May 2005, all US Government personnel had left the island Midway Islands: approximately 40 people make up the staff of US Fish and Wildlife Service and their services contractor living at the atoll.
Palmyra Atoll: four to 20 Nature Conservancy, US Fish and Wildlife staff, and researchers (American / American(s))
Urban population: 82.9% (2021) – 18.823 million, New York-Newark, 12.459 million, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, 8.877 million, Chicago, 6.491 million, Houston, 6.397 million, Dallas-Fort Worth, 5.378 million, Washington, D.C. (capital city) (2021)
Location: North America, bordering the North Atlantic and the North Pacific oceans, between Canada and Mexico, United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges. The United States is a(n) North American country. You may find 35 other countries on this continent.
Coordinates: 38 00 N, 97 00 W
Bordering countries: Canada 8,891 km (including 2,475 km with Alaska); Mexico 3,111 km
Land area: 9,147,593 sq km
Water area: 685,924 sq km
Total area: 9,833,517 sq km – About half the size of Russia; about three-tenths the size of Africa; about half the size of South America (or slightly larger than Brazil); slightly larger than China; more than twice the size of the European Union.
Terrain: Vast central plain, mountains in the west, hills and low mountains in the east, rugged mountains and broad river valleys in Alaska, rugged, volcanic topography in Hawaii.
Highest point: The highest point in the United States is Mount Denali, also known as Mount McKinley, which is located in Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska. Its summit reaches 20,310 feet (6,190 meters) above sea level.
Lowest point: Death Valley (the lowest point in North America) -86 m
Major rivers: Missouri – 3,768 km, Mississippi (shared with Canada) – 3,544 km, Yukon (shared with Canada) – 3,190 km, Saint Lawrence (shared with Canada) – 3,058 km, Rio Grande (shared with Mexico) – 3,057 km, Colorado (shared with Mexico) – 2,333 km, Arkansas – 2,348 km, Columbia (shared with Canada) – 2,250 km, Red – 2,188 km Ohio – 2,102 km, Snake – 1,670 km
Natural hazards: Tsunamis; volcanoes; earthquake activity around the Pacific basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts; tornadoes in the midwest and southeast; mud slides in California; forest fires in the west; flooding; permafrost in northern Alaska. A major impediment to development.
Volcanic activity in the Hawaiian Islands, Western Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and in the Northern Mariana Islands; both Mauna Loa (4,170 m) in Hawaii and Mount Rainier (4,392 m) in Washington have been deemed Decade Volcanoes by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Pavlof (2,519 m) is the most active volcano in Alaska’s Aleutian Arc and poses a significant threat to air travel since the area constitutes a major flight path between North America and East Asia; St. Helens (2,549 m), famous for the devastating 1980 eruption, remains active today; numerous other historically active volcanoes exist, mostly concentrated in the Aleutian arc and Hawaii; they include: in Alaska: Aniakchak, Augustine, Chiginagak, Fourpeaked, Iliamna, Katmai, Kupreanof, Martin, Novarupta, Redoubt, Spurr, Wrangell, Trident, Ugashik-Peulik, Ukinrek Maars, Veniaminof; in Hawaii: Haleakala, Kilauea, Loihi; in the Northern Mariana Islands: Anatahan; and in the Pacific Northwest: Mount Baker, Mount Hood.
National holiday(s): Independence Day, 4 July (1776)
Did you know about the United States?
- The shortest war in US history was with the country of Grenada in 1983. The conflict lasted just 3 days, with the US military successfully overthrowing the Grenadian government.
- The US Navy has the second-largest air force in the world, second only to the United States Air Force.
- The US state of Alaska is not only the largest state in the country but also home to the northernmost point in the United States, called Point Barrow.
- The world’s first-ever national park, Yellowstone National Park, is in the United States. Established in 1872, it is famous for its geysers, hot springs, and wildlife.
- The tallest mountain in the United States is Mount Denali, located in Alaska. It stands at 20,310 feet (6,190 meters) and is one of the Seven Summits, the highest peaks on each continent.
You may also be interested in Canada and Mexico.
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