- Flag of the United States of America
Established in 1776, the United States is young compared to many other countries. During the first century and a half, the nation worked primarily on defining itself: how much territory it would cover, how it could use its resources for economic growth, and how it would deal with slavery and other issues facing American society. The population grew as more and more people from other nations were attracted to the economic and social possibilities of this land of opportunity. In turn, this mixture of people from different cultures helped to give the United States its unique character. In the 20th century, the United States became a world power. The U.S. economy influences the lives of people worldwide. Many nations turn to the United States for support in their quest for democracy and human rights. Americans have made advances in fields ranging from medicine to music, and their achievements have changed the world. The capital is Washington, D.C. (For the history of the United States see the separate United States history article.) GeographyThe United States is the fourth-largest country in the world (after Russia, Canada, and China). It extends across the continent of North America from the Atlantic Ocean on the east to the Pacific Ocean on the west. The United States consists of 50 states and the District of Columbia. Forty-eight of the states lie between Canada on the north and Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico on the south. The 49th state, Alaska, lies northwest of Canada. The 50th state, Hawaii, is a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean. Land regionsLike most large nations, the United States has different types of landscape. Its physical environment ranges from rugged mountain peaks to flat prairies and from moist rain forests to dry deserts. This diversity gradually evolved over millions of years. Today, the land continues to change as a result of human activity and natural forces such as earthquakes and volcanoes. Atlantic and Gulf coastal plainA nearly flat plain extends along the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico all the way from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, to Mexico. This is a lowland area that lies only slightly above sea level. Swamps and offshore sandbars and islands are common. The plain is narrow in the northeast, but south of New York City it gradually widens. From the Gulf coast it extends as much as 500 miles (800 kilometers) inland along the Mississippi River. Appalachian Mountains - Screw Auger Falls in Maine are a feature of the Mahoosuc Range of the northern Appalachian …
An area of fertile, rolling land called the Piedmont separates the Atlantic coastal plain from the Appalachian Mountains to the west. The Appalachians are low mountains that run southwestward from the Canadian border to Alabama. They consist of many separate ranges, ridges, and plateaus. One section, the Blue Ridge Mountains, includes Mount Mitchell in North Carolina, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River at 6,684 feet (2,037 meters). The interior lowlandsThe interior lowlands are the largest land region of the United States. They extend from the Appalachian Mountains in the east to the Rocky Mountains in the west. From north to south, the lowlands stretch from the Canadian border to Texas. Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are found in many parts of the interior lowlands. Two places in this region that look particularly different from the rest are the Superior Uplands and the Adirondack Mountains. The Superior Uplands are an area of low hills in northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The famous iron-rich Mesabi Range of Minnesota is located in the Superior Uplands. The rugged Adirondack Mountains are situated in northern New York. South of the Adirondack Mountains and Superior Uplands is the heartland of the United States—the central lowland. Glaciers covered much of the northern part of the central lowlands thousands of years ago. The movement of these glaciers left a great mixture of boulders, sand, gravel, silt, and clay and a complex pattern of lakes and drainage channels. The southern part of the central lowlands is covered mostly with wind-deposited silt called loess. Loess has made the soil in this region incredibly good for growing crops. The central lowland region resembles a vast saucer, rising gradually to higher lands on all sides. Southward and eastward, the land rises gradually to three major plateaus: the Ozark Plateau in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas, the Interior Low Plateaus in central Kentucky and Tennessee, and the Appalachian Plateau leading up to the Appalachian Mountains. The western part of the interior lowlands is known as the Great Plains. This vast area extends from Canada in the north to the Mexican border in the south. Although the plains appear to be flat, they actually rise gradually from a height of about 2,000 feet (600 meters) in eastern Nebraska to a height of more than 6,000 feet (1,800 meters) in Wyoming. The High Plains between Nebraska and Texas, however, are flat. More commonly, the land is broadly rolling. Parts of the northern plains are sharply dissected into badlands. The Western mountainsWest of the Great Plains is the rugged Western Cordillera. This region is shaped sort of like an upside-down letter “V,” with the Rocky Mountains on the east and the Pacific ranges on the west meeting at the Washington-Canadian border. The Rocky Mountains can be divided into the Southern Rockies (located mostly in New Mexico and Colorado), the Middle Rockies (located mostly in western and central Wyoming), and the Northern Rockies (found in western Montana, northern and central Idaho, and northeastern Washington and extending into Canada). The highest peak in the Rocky Mountains is Mount Elbert at 14,433 feet (4,399 meters). The western part of this region includes a line of hills and low mountains along the Pacific Ocean known as the Pacific Coast Ranges. A series of valleys separates the Pacific Coast Ranges from the higher mountains of the Sierra Nevada and the Cascade Range. The Sierra Nevada runs through eastern California while the Cascades are in Oregon and Washington State. At 14,494 feet (4,418 meters), Mount Whitney in the Sierras is the highest mountain on the U.S. mainland. Western basins and plateausBetween the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific ranges is a large area of dry basins, plateaus, and isolated mountain ranges. The region can be divided into the Colorado Plateau, the Great Basin, and the Columbia Basin. The Colorado Plateau, in northern Arizona, southern Utah, and northwestern New Mexico, is known for its varied landforms. The Grand Canyon in this region was formed by the Colorado River, and other areas of arches and natural bridges, stone monuments, and spires were formed by erosion as well. The Great Basin covers most of Nevada, western Utah, and southern Arizona. In former times much of the area was covered by Lake Bonneville. The Great Salt Lake in Utah is a remnant of this ancient lake. Farther north is the Columbia Basin, much of which was created by lava flows. The Snake River has cut a deep canyon in the lava, and the Columbia River also crosses the region. AlaskaThe Pacific Coast Ranges and the Cascades both extend into Alaska. Alaska's diverse geography includes rivers, plains, ice fields, and glaciers. At 20,320 feet (6,194 meters), Mount McKinley is the highest point in Alaska as well as the highest in all of North America. HawaiiHawaii is the only U.S. state to be made up entirely of islands. The islands are of volcanic origin, having been built up over millions of years. They form a chain about 1,600 miles (2,575 kilometers) long in the Pacific Ocean. The eight main islands in the chain (from largest to smallest in area) are Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Nihau, and Kahoolawe. Rivers and lakesThe United States has some of the largest and the most useful rivers in the world. The Mississippi-Missouri river system is 3,710 miles (5,971 kilometers) long. Its many tributaries include the Ohio, Illinois, Arkansas, and Platte rivers. Before the development of railroads, the Mississippi River and its branches were especially important for transporting people and goods between regions. The Colorado River provides irrigation to many regions in the West that do not receive enough rain. Other important rivers include the Hudson, Tennessee, Columbia, and Rio Grande. The five Great Lakes constitute the largest connected area of fresh water on Earth. Lake Michigan is the only one of the Great Lakes to be entirely within the United States. The other four—Superior, Ontario, Huron, and Erie—straddle the boundary between the United States and Canada. The states and provinces bordering the lakes use them for recreation. The lakes are also used extensively for shipping, which increased after the Saint Lawrence Seaway was opened in 1959. The seaway connects the lakes with the Atlantic Ocean, allowing oceangoing ships to reach Midwestern ports. Other large bodies of water include the Great Salt Lake of Utah, Lake Okeechobee in Florida, and Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana. ClimateThe climate of the United States is as varied as its landscape, ranging from Arctic weather in Alaska to tropical conditions in Hawaii and southern Florida. Much of the continental United States is affected by winds that blow from west to east. The winds blowing off the Pacific Ocean carry water from the ocean. The mountain ranges along the Pacific coast block those winds, however, so that the western slopes of the hills are rainy while the land on the other side of the hills is very dry. East of the Rockies the westerly drift brings mainly dry air, and as a result the Great Plains are semidry. East of the Great Plains, humidity increases because of warm, moist, unstable air from the Gulf of Mexico. Weather disturbances often take place when air from the Gulf of Mexico flows northward across the Great Plains and meets air flowing south from Canada. The result can be furious weather—tornadoes, blizzards, great drops and rises in temperature, and hailstorms. Winter conditions for the eastern and central parts of the United States differ widely, depending largely on latitude. Colder temperatures in the north mean precipitation often comes as snow. Farther south, cold rain alternates with sleet and occasional snow. In the western United States, relatively warm, moist air brings mild temperatures along the length of the coast but many drizzly days to the Pacific Northwest. In the summer, the great difference of temperature between North and South disappears as hot, humid conditions spread from the Gulf coast to the Canadian border. Since the Gulf air is unstable as well as wet, summer thunderstorms often occur east of the Rockies. Again, the Pacific region is different in summer. Except in the mountains the Pacific coast is nearly rainless but often foggy. A small but powerful mass of dry hot air raises temperatures to blistering levels over much of the Southwest. Over most of the United States, autumn and spring mean mild days and cool nights. Along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, autumn is the season for hurricanes. Spring is the prime season for tornadoes, especially in the Mississippi River valley. Alaska and Hawaii have their own unique weather. Very cold winters and cool summers are the norm for the northern part of Alaska, but the central region of the state has a continental climate. The coast has cool temperatures but is also prone to heavy rainfall and flooding. Cooling ocean currents keep the climate of Hawaii mild and pleasant. Rainfall in Hawaii varies by location, ranging anywhere from 10 inches (25 centimeters) to more than 400 (1,000 centimeters) yearly. Plants and animalsThe United States may be divided into four major regions based on plant and animal life: forest, grassland, desert, and tundra. Climate greatly affects the types of vegetation in any area. Trees will usually grow where rainfall is heaviest, and grasslands develop where the rainfall is lighter or highly seasonal. Where rainfall is below 250 millimeters (10 inches), deserts may occur, while tundra vegetation grows at high altitudes and in the Arctic and subarctic regions of Alaska. ForestForests once covered most of the eastern third of the nation, and small patches remain. Some of the trees, such as pine and hemlock, are evergreens. Others, such as oak, hickory, birch, and maple, are trees that shed their leaves in winter. Many kinds of animals live in the eastern forest lands, including bears, beavers, deer, foxes, opossums, and raccoons. Reptiles, including alligators, are common in the South. Evergreen forests are extensive in the Rocky Mountains and parts of California, Oregon, and Washington. There are also patches of broad-leaved aspen and birch, plus some oak and maple. Tallest of all living plants are the giant redwoods of California, some more than 350 feet (100 meters) in height. Forests of the Pacific Northwest support the nation's leading lumbering activities. Animals living in western forests include bears, elk, deer, raccoons, foxes, and bobcats. Pine forests cover many of the highlands and coastal regions of Alaska. Other trees include spruce, cottonwood, Alaska birch, and larch.Hawaii's tropical trees include coconut, mango, mulberry, and papaya. Animal life includes deer, wild goats, wild pigs, lizards, toads, and many native bird species. GrasslandGrasslands once covered much of interior North America. On some plains, wild grasses once grew as tall as a person. Towards the west, where there was less rainfall, the grasses became gradually shorter. Tall grasses are often called prairie; short grasslands are referred to as steppe. Great herds of bison (buffalo) once grazed these areas, which today are devoted to wheat, barley, and the raising of cattle. Although the bison have largely disappeared, coyotes, prairie dogs, and jackrabbits remain. DesertDeserts cover most of Nevada and parts of Utah, Arizona, California, and New Mexico. Sagebrush, yucca, and cactus are common. Pine and juniper grow on the mountain ranges. One type of cactus, the saguaro, can grow to a height of 50 feet (15 meters) in southern Arizona. Among the animals of the desert are Gila monsters, roadrunners, scorpions, and a variety of snakes. TundraThe only areas of tundra in the mainland United States are in the mountains above the limit of trees. The vegetation consists mainly of small plants that bloom brilliantly for a short season. Plants in the Arctic region of Alaska include mosses, lichens, and shrubs. The animal life of Alaska includes caribou, reindeers, and polar bears. People and culturePopulationIn the 2000 census, the United States had a population of 281,421,906. Whites made up more than 70 percent of this figure. The two largest minority groups were African Americans and Hispanic Americans, each of which made up about 12 percent of the population. Asian and Pacific Islanders totaled about 4 percent. Native Americans—the original inhabitants of the land that became the United States—made up less than 1 percent of the population. The United States often is described as a melting pot, meaning that it includes people from a wide variety of backgrounds. Although early settlers usually could trace their roots back to a single country, such as England or Spain, today people often identify with several ethnic groups. The nation continues to welcome many people who were born in a different country. The largest number of immigrants in the late 20th century and early 21st century came from Mexico. Many others came from China, India, and the Philippines. States and citiesThe 50 states vary a great deal in terms of population. With more than 33 million inhabitants, California has more residents than about half of the world's nations. By contrast, several states, including Vermont and Alaska, fall far short of a million residents. Although the fifth smallest state in terms of area, New Jersey has a population of more than 8.4 million people, making it the 9th in population. More than three fourths of Americans live in or near cities. The United States contains some of the largest cities in the world. New York City, with more than 7 million residents, is the nation's biggest. Los Angeles, California, is second (with about 3.6 million people), while Chicago, Illinois, is third (with about 2.8 million people). Other cities with more than 1 million residents are Houston, Texas; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; San Diego, California; Phoenix, Arizona; San Antonio, Texas; and Dallas, Texas. LanguageAlthough the United States does not have an official language, most Americans speak English. It is the primary language used in schools, workplaces, and the media. Many people, however, also speak the language of the country from which they or their ancestors came. In 2000 nearly one in five Americans did not speak English at home. The United States has many Spanish-speaking people due to its large Hispanic population. ReligionMany early settlers came to the Americas seeking religious freedom, and the ability to worship as one chooses remains an important right. About 85 percent of the people in the United States can be described as Christian. Protestants are the largest group of Christians in the United States, followed by Roman Catholics. About 6 percent of the people practice other religions, including Islam and Judaism; others do not practice any faith. The artsAmericans have made their mark on all types of arts. Films and television shows produced in the United States are enjoyed throughout the world, though they often give foreigners an unrealistic impression of the lives of average Americans. Jazz, blues, and rock and roll are three of the best-known forms of American music. Broadway, an area of New York City known for its theaters, has a worldwide reputation for theatrical excellence. American literature has a long and distinguished tradition as well. Several U.S. writers have won the Nobel prize for literature, including Ernest Hemingway, John Steinbeck, Saul Bellow, and Toni Morrison. EconomyThe United States is a great economic power. The nation's wealth is a reflection of its highly developed industry, its enormous agricultural output, and its rich natural resources. Manufacturing and industryThe United States is known for the variety of goods produced by its factories. Motor vehicle production is especially important to the economy. Many factories in Michigan are open both day and night to make automobiles. Other major products include industrial machinery, electronic parts, computers and office equipment, meat products, and aircraft. Many companies are headquartered in New York City, with Los Angeles and Chicago also being host to numerous businesses. With branches of several major firms located within the city, Atlanta, Georgia, has achieved a reputation as the powerhouse of the South. The computer industry in the United States tends to be centered in California's Silicon Valley, an area south of San Francisco Bay. Hollywood, California, is recognized worldwide as the heart of the entertainment industry. In the second half of the 20th century the service industries became the single largest sector of the economy. These industries, including finance, health care, education, and tourism, employed almost 35 percent of the workforce in 1999. Tourism is a particularly important part of the economy. Many states—including Florida, Hawaii, and Colorado—depend heavily on money from the tourism industry. Theme parks, resorts, hotels, restaurants, cab companies, and scores of other businesses employ workers to meet the needs of travelers. Agriculture - Farmers' fields are laid out in a checkerboard pattern near Alden, Kansas.
Although less than 3 percent of the American labor force is involved in agriculture, output is great due to large farms that take advantage of modern farming methods and machinery. For the nation as a whole, some of the chief products are corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, grapes, potatoes, tobacco, oranges, apples, lettuce, tomatoes, rice, and strawberries. Individual regions are known for certain products. The Hawaiian islands are known for their pineapples, while nearly half of the farms in Wisconsin are dairy farms. The Great Plains region is known for wheat. California grapes are both enjoyed as a fruit and used for the state's large winemaking industry. Idaho potatoes are one of America's best-known crops. Warm weather enables Florida to grow oranges and other citrus fruits. Texas leads the United States in the raising of beef cattle and sheep. Natural resourcesThe nation's great bodies of water provide large catches of fish and shellfish. The Pacific Northwest and the East Coast in particular have traditionally relied on fishing. The Pacific Northwest had large salmon populations for many years. Late in the 20th century catches were much reduced, however, because overfishing, stream pollution, and the building of high dams interfered with the life cycle of the salmon. Overfishing was a problem on the East Coast as well. However, haddock, cod, whiting, ocean perch, lobster, clams, and sea scallops are still caught in the Atlantic. Halibut, mackerel, flounder, and herring are found in the Pacific. Further north, in Alaska, salmon and Alaska pollock are plentiful. Shrimp and crabs are important shellfish. American mines produce large amounts of coal, iron, copper, zinc, and lead. Quarries are known for crushed stone, sand and gravel, cement, clay, phosphate rock, common salt, lime, and gypsum. Oil and natural gas are abundant in Alaska, Texas, and Oklahoma. America's forests also contribute to the economy. With its vast amounts of Douglas fir and ponderosa pine, Oregon is the chief timber-producing state in the Union. The sugar maple, the state tree of Vermont, is vital for maple sugar and syrup production. In the 20th century many people became concerned about the loss of forests due to logging. In an effort to address these concerns, some states planted new trees to replace those that were cut down and some limited the amount of timber that could be cut down. TradeThe United States trades hundreds of goods with other countries throughout the world. Machinery and transportation equipment together make up both the leading import and the leading export for the nation. Other products frequently brought into the United States from other countries include clothing, chemicals, petroleum, and food. Exports, or products sold by the United States to other countries, include chemicals, scientific and precision equipment, and food. Canada and Mexico are major trading partners with the United States. Japan is another leading trade partner. National economyThe United States collects money from individuals and businesses in the form of taxes. This money is used to provide a number of services for citizens. Much of it goes toward Social Security and Medicare programs that help the elderly and disabled. A large amount is needed for national defense. Some of the money is used to pay the interest on the national debt. International relationsThe United States emerged from World War II as one of the world's leading powers. It is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council of the United Nations (UN). As part of the UN the United States has sent peacekeeping troops to many trouble spots throughout the world. The United States has also joined other nations in organizations to protect their territories. It is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Organization of American States (OAS). As one of the wealthiest nations in the world, the United States administers aid to the world community through its Agency for International Development (AID). |