United States of America.

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

   

Geography

The United States of America is the world's third largest country in size and nearly the third largest in terms of population. Located in North America, the country is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. Along the northern border is Canada and the southern border is Mexico. There are 50 states and the District of Columbia.

More than twice the size of the European Union, the United States has high mountains in the West and a vast central plain. 

Nature

The landscape varies across the large country from tropical beaches in Florida to peaks in the Rocky Mountains, from rolling prairie lands and barren deserts in the West to dense wilderness areas in the Northeast and Northwest. Interspersed throughout are the Great Lakes, the Grand Canyon, the majestic Yosemite Valley, and the mighty Mississippi River.

Mammals such as bison  now live only in preserves. Black bears, grizzlies, and polar bears are the largest carnivores. 

The bald eagle is the national bird and symbol of the United States and is a protected species.

History

For centuries native peoples lived across the vast settlement that will become the United States. In the early 17th century, settlers moved from Europe to the New World, established colonies, and displaced the native peoples.

The settlers fought for their independence from Britain in the late 18th century and formed a union of states based on a new constitution. The nation continued to expand and although the country is a relatively young nation, it has become a global power since declaring independence from Britain on July 4, 1776.

People and Culture

The United States has been a nation of immigrants. The population is diverse with people from all over the world seeking refuge and a better way of life.

The country is divided into six regions: New England; the mid-Atlantic; the South; the Midwest; the Southwest, and the West.

European settlers came to New England in search of religious freedom. These states are Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

The mid-Atlantic region includes Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and the city of Washington, D.C. These areas are home of some important cities: New York, Baltimore, and Philadelphia.

The South includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, all of which struggled after the Civil War, which lasted from 1860-1865.

The Midwest comprises the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

The Southwest is a beautiful stark landscape of prairie and desert. The states of Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas are considered the Southwest and are home to the Grand Canyon and Carlsbad Caverns.

The American West, home of rolling plains and the cowboy is diverse. The states of the West include Alaska, Colorado, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Government and Economy

Citizens over the age of 18 years old vote to elect the President and Vice President of United States every four years. The president lives in the White House in the capital city of Washington, D.C. 

For the first time in the nation's history an African American, Barack Obama was elected President of the United States in 2008.

Advances in the past hundred years have established America as a world leader economically, militarily, and technologically. America has the largest coal reserves in the world.

Are you interested in learning the names of the 50 states of USA? Let´s hear this song!

Here you have the lyrics of the song!

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona's dry.
Arkansas, California, Colorado's mountain high.
Connecticut, and Delaware, Florida is hot.
And so is Georgia and Hawaii, Idaho is not.
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa
Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana
Maine and Maryland, Massachusetts's Red Coats.
Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi river boats.
Missouri, Montana, Nebraska's mostly flat.
Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey is all that!
New Mexico, New York makes 32.
North Carolina, North Dakota and Ohio, too.
Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania's Liberty Bell.
Rhode Island's the smallest state as far as we can tell.
South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and more.
Texas and Utah, Vermont's maple tours.
Oh, Virginia, now there's Washington.
West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, now we're done.
America is beautiful from sea to shining sea.
We just sang all the 50 states as proud as we can be.
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee.
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!