THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
The United States of America is located on the continent of North America. There are 50 states in the U.S. The U.S. borders on Canada to the north, and Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. On the east coast, the U.S. is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, and on the west coast it is bordered by the Pacific Ocean.
To the northwest of Canada is the state of Alaska. The state of Hawaii is located in the Pacific Ocean, southwest of California.
In addition to the 50 states, the U.S. has several territories and possessions, located in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
Facts about the U.S.A.
Capital: Washington, D.C.
Independence Day: July 4, 1776
Motto: In God We Trust
National Bird: Bald Eagle
National Flower: Rose
Area (50 states and District of Columbia only): 9,631,418 sq km
Comparative Size: About one-half the size of Russia; about three-tenths the size of Africa; about one-half the size of South America (or slightly larger than Brazil); slightly larger than China; about two and one-half times the size of Western Europe.
Largest State: Alaska
Smallest State: Rhode Island
Largest Cities: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, San Diego, Detroit, Dallas, Phoenix, San Antonio
Border Countries and Oceans: Canada, Mexico, Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific Ocean
*Note: World's third-largest country by size (after Russia and Canada) and by population (after China and India).
Population: 308,734,134 inhabitants
Languages:English 82.1%, Spanish 10.7%, other Indo-European 3.8%, Asian and Pacific island 2.7%, other 0.7% (2000 census)
Religions: Protestant 52%, Roman Catholic 24%, Mormon 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 1%, other 10%, none 10% (2002 est.)
Important dates:
Halloween, celebrated on: October 31
Halloween, the last day of October, has a special significance for children, who dress in funny or ghostly costumes and knock on neighborhood doors shouting "Trick or Treat!" Pirates and princesses, ghosts and witches all hold bags open to catch the candy or other goodies that the neighbors drop in.
Thanksgiving day, celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November
Thanksgiving Day is the fourth Thursday in November, but many Americans take a day of vacation on the following Friday to make a four-day weekend, during which they may travel long distances to visit family and friends.
The 50 states:
Alabama / Florida / LouisianaMissouri / North Dakota / Utah
Alaska / Georgia / Maine
Montana / Ohio / Vermont
Arkansas / Hawaii / Maryland
Nebraska / Oklahoma / Virginia
Arizona / Idaho / Massachussetts
Nevada / Oregon / Washington
California / Illinois / Michigan
New Hampshire / Pennsylvania / West Virginia
Colorado / Indiana / Minnesota
New Jersey / Rhode Island / Wisconsin
Connecticut / Iowa / Mississippi
New Mexico / South Carolina / Wyoming
Dakota del Sur / Kansas
New York / Tennessee
Delaware / Kentucky
North Carolina / Texas