The United States is one of the world’s leading powers — both in terms of its size and population, as well as its GDP, influence on global politics, and many other factors.
The United States ranks fourth in the world by total area. Most of the country (48 states) is located in the central part of the North American continent — these are the so-called contiguous United States. The state of Alaska is situated on a peninsula in the northwest of North America, while the state of Hawaii lies on the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean. The United States borders Canada to the north and Mexico to the south.
Thanks to its vast territory, the United States features an extraordinary diversity of landscapes — from lowlands to major mountain ranges — and climates, ranging from Arctic cold to tropical heat. The contiguous United States spans four time zones.
The country is commonly divided into four major regions: the Northeast, the Midwest, the South, and the West. In addition, the United States is often described in terms of so-called “belts” — areas defined by shared economic, cultural, or geographic characteristics.
The United States ranks third in the world by population, with more than 330 million people. The United States is one of the most ethnically diverse and multicultural countries in the world. Its population has been shaped largely by large-scale immigration from many different countries, which is why people of all races, nationalities, and religions can be found there. The United States has no official language at the federal level, although English is the most widely used and commonly accepted language. As in other countries, American society is divided into various social classes, with differing levels of education and income.
The United States is a federal constitutional republic consisting of fifty states and one federal district (as well as several territories with special status). The capital is Washington, D.C. From the original thirteen states that formed a new nation in 1776 to the most likely candidate for becoming the fifty-first state — currently Puerto Rico — they are all very different, and each of them is unique and interesting.
Most of the population of the United States (more than 80%) lives in urban or suburban areas. The largest cities in the United States are New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
The country’s many attractions draw large numbers of tourists. Among the most notable and frequently visited are unique natural landmarks—such as Niagara Falls (New York), the Grand Canyon (Arizona), and the geysers of Yellowstone National Park (Idaho, and Wyoming) — as well as historical monuments, including Mesa Verde National Park (Colorado) and the Liberty Bell (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania).
The United States is also known for its distinctive architectural landmarks, such as the skyscrapers Empire State Building and Chrysler Building, the Brooklyn Bridge (all of them in New York City), and the Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco).
In addition, there are numerous entertainment destinations, including Disneyland (California) and Walt Disney World (Florida), the casinos of Las Vegas and Atlantic City, and the theaters of Broadway, among many others.
