United States Facts
United States, United States of America, State of North America; 9.52 million km² (of which 0.5 million km² water), 327.2 million residents (2019).The United States consists of 50 states along with the Federal District of Columbia. A number of areas in America and Oceania are linked to the United States in different ways and with varying forms of self-government. Largest is Puerto Rico, which, like the US Virgin Islands, is located in the Caribbean. Most important in Oceania are Guam and American Samoa. The capital is Washington DC (672,200 residents, 2015).
50 States of the Country
In the table below, you can see all the 50 states and capital city of Washington D.C. By clicking the link below, you will see lists of all counties, cities, and towns in each state.
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Country facts
- United States of America / United States of America
- Country abbreviation: US
- Area: 9.52 million km²
- Population (2019): 327.2 million residents
- Capital: Washington DC
- Main language: English
- State: Republic
- Head of State and Head of Government: Donald Trump
- Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 62,641
- GNI per capita (2018): US $ 62,850
- Currency unit: $ 1 = 100 cents
- Currency code: USD
- Country number (telephony): 1
- Internet Domain Name: us
- Time difference compared to Sweden: −6 to −11
- National Day: July 4 (Declaration of Independence adopted, 1776)
Nature
- Land use: forest (30%), agricultural land (20%), other (50%)
- Highest mountain: Denali (Mount McKinley, 6,194 m above sea level)
- Longest river: Mississippi River (6,019 km)
Population
- Population density (2019): 34 residents per km²
- Natural population growth (2019): 0.3%; birth rate 12 ‰, death rate 9 ‰
- Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (19%), 15-64 (65%), 65- (16%)
- Average life expectancy (2019): men 76 years, women 81 years
- Infant mortality (2019): 6 per 1,000 live births
- Population forecast 2050: 388 million residents
- HDI (2017): 0.924 (place 13 of 189)
- Urbanization rate (2019): 82%
- Most populous cities (2016): New York (8.6 million residents), Los Angeles (4.0 million), Chicago (2.7 million)
Business
- Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (1%), industry (19%), service (80%)
- Exports of goods (2017): US $ 1,553,000
- Main export products: means of transport, chemical products, foodstuffs
- Main exporting countries: Canada, Mexico, China
- Imports of goods (2017): USD 2 361 000 million
- Main import products: industrial products, oil, electronic products, vehicles
- Main importing countries: China, Mexico, Canada
- Railway network (2014): 293 600 km
Geography of the United States
Location
The United States is located primarily in North America, bordered by Canada to the north, Mexico to the south, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The country is composed of 50 states, a federal district (Washington D.C.), and several territories, including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It spans a vast area of 9.8 million square kilometers (3.8 million square miles), making it the third-largest country by total area in the world, after Russia and Canada. The United States’ geographical diversity ranges from coastal plains and deep river valleys to towering mountain ranges and expansive deserts.
Topography
The United States’ topography is one of the most varied in the world. The eastern region is characterized by a range of mountain ranges, including the Appalachian Mountains, which stretch from Maine to Alabama. The central part of the country, known as the Great Plains, is a vast, flat area that stretches from the eastern foothills of the Rockies to the Mississippi River. The Rocky Mountains run along the western part of the country, providing rugged terrain and the highest peaks in the contiguous U.S., including Mount Elbert in Colorado, which rises to 4,401 meters (14,440 feet).
To the west, the Sierra Nevada and Cascades mountain ranges contain several notable national parks, including Yosemite and Olympic. Further south, the desert landscapes of Arizona, Nevada, and California form part of the Great Basin, while the southern states like Texas and New Mexico feature expansive plateaus and lowlands. The United States is also home to vast river systems, with the Mississippi-Missouri River System being the longest, while the Colorado, Columbia, and Rio Grande rivers are also important geographic features. The country’s diverse landscapes provide a wide range of habitats and ecosystems.
Natural Resources
The United States is rich in natural resources, making it one of the world’s leading producers and consumers of raw materials. The country has vast deposits of coal, natural gas, and oil, which have historically powered its industrialization. Other critical natural resources include timber, copper, gold, and uranium, as well as extensive agricultural lands producing corn, wheat, soybeans, cotton, and a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. The country is also a significant producer of livestock, particularly beef, pork, and poultry. Water resources, particularly from the Great Lakes, provide crucial freshwater supplies, and the U.S. is known for its high levels of agricultural productivity thanks to its fertile soils, particularly in the Midwest.
Climate of the United States
General Climate
The climate of the United States is highly varied due to the country’s vast size and geographical diversity. The country spans multiple climate zones, from tropical regions in the south to arctic climates in Alaska. Most of the U.S. has a temperate climate, characterized by four distinct seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. The eastern United States experiences a humid subtropical climate, while the western part of the country features a Mediterranean climate along the coast and a desert climate further inland.
The Midwest and Great Plains experience continental climates, with cold winters and hot, humid summers. In the Southwest, the desert regions have extremely hot summers and mild winters, with very little rainfall. The Pacific Northwest has a temperate oceanic climate with mild, wet winters and dry summers. The coastal states of California and Florida, in particular, are known for their moderate temperatures and sunny conditions.
Alaska experiences an arctic climate in the northern parts, with freezing winters and relatively short summers, while the southern coastal regions have a more temperate climate. Hawaii, located in the central Pacific, enjoys a tropical climate year-round, with warm temperatures and seasonal rainfall.
Rainfall Patterns
Rainfall varies dramatically across the United States, with some regions receiving ample precipitation and others experiencing arid conditions. The Pacific Northwest and the Gulf Coast are some of the wettest areas in the country, receiving large amounts of rainfall throughout the year. The east coast, particularly from the Carolinas up to New England, also experiences relatively high rainfall.
In contrast, the Great Plains, much of the West, and parts of the Southwest are much drier. Areas like Nevada, Arizona, and southern California have desert climates with very little rainfall, while the Rocky Mountains and nearby areas have a more varied pattern, with snow falling in the winter and drier conditions during summer.
The Midwest often experiences heavy summer storms, including thunderstorms and tornadoes, while the Gulf Coast and Southeast are susceptible to hurricanes, especially during the late summer and early fall. Droughts can also affect large parts of the country, particularly the Southwest, which faces water shortages exacerbated by overuse and climate change.
People of the United States
Population and Ethnic Composition
The population of the United States is approximately 331 million people, making it the third most populous country in the world. The U.S. is known for its ethnic diversity, as it has been a destination for immigrants from every corner of the globe. The largest ethnic group in the U.S. is White Americans, followed by Hispanic or Latino Americans, Black or African Americans, and Asian Americans. The Native American population is also significant, with hundreds of distinct tribal communities spread across the country.
The diversity in the U.S. has been shaped by its history of immigration, colonization, and the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade. Immigrants have come from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, contributing to a complex social and cultural fabric. The U.S. also has smaller populations of people with Middle Eastern, Native American, and Pacific Islander heritage.
Language
English is the official language of the United States and is spoken by the vast majority of the population. However, Spanish is the second most spoken language, particularly in states like California, Texas, and Florida, due to the large Hispanic population. Other widely spoken languages include Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, French, and Arabic, reflecting the diverse immigrant communities in the U.S. Additionally, many indigenous languages are spoken by Native American tribes, although these languages are less widely used.
In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on bilingualism in certain regions, particularly in education and business. Spanish-English bilingualism is especially common in southern border states, and various multicultural communities celebrate the use of both English and their native languages.
Religion
The United States is a predominantly Christian country, with over 70% of the population identifying as Christian. This includes a variety of denominations, including Protestantism (the largest group), Roman Catholicism, and Eastern Orthodoxy. The U.S. has been a historically Protestant country, and the legacy of European settlers, particularly from England, is evident in the prevalence of Protestantism.
Other religions practiced in the U.S. include Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism, with a growing number of adherents in recent years due to immigration from Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The U.S. is also home to a significant number of religiously unaffiliated people, making it one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world.
Religion plays an important role in many aspects of American culture, from politics to daily life. However, the country is also deeply committed to the separation of church and state, with the First Amendment guaranteeing freedom of religion.
Economy of the United States
Economic Structure
The United States has the largest economy in the world, driven by a mixture of services, manufacturing, and agriculture. It is a highly diversified economy with strong industrial sectors in technology, finance, health care, and consumer goods. The U.S. also boasts a robust agricultural industry, particularly in the Midwest, which produces corn, soybeans, and wheat. The service sector, especially finance, insurance, and real estate, is the largest contributor to GDP.
In addition to its diversified industrial base, the United States is known for its technological innovations, and companies in Silicon Valley lead the world in tech development, particularly in fields such as software development, artificial intelligence, and social media.
Trade and Commerce
The U.S. is one of the world’s largest trading nations, with international trade accounting for a substantial portion of its economy. The country exports a wide range of goods, including machinery, vehicles, electrical machinery, and agricultural products, and it is the world’s largest importer of goods. Its main trading partners include China, Canada, Mexico, and the European Union.
While the U.S. has a significant trade deficit (importing more than it exports), it remains a key player in global commerce and finance. The U.S. dollar is the world’s primary reserve currency, and the country plays a leading role in global institutions such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Labor and Industry
The U.S. labor market is diverse, with a significant portion of the population employed in service industries, particularly in business, health care, and education. Manufacturing remains a critical part of the economy, although it has declined as a percentage of total output in recent decades. The U.S. is a leader in advanced manufacturing, particularly in aerospace, electronics, and chemicals.
Agriculture remains a critical part of the U.S. economy, particularly in states such as Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas, where vast agricultural lands produce large quantities of food and livestock. The U.S. has also seen an increase in renewable energy production, particularly in wind and solar power.
Government of the United States
Political System
The United States is a federal republic, meaning that it has a division of powers between the national government and state governments. The political system is based on democratic principles, with elected representatives and officials serving the citizens through regular elections. The U.S. government is divided into three branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The President, elected every four years, serves as the head of state and government. The legislative branch, the Congress, is a bicameral body consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The U.S. political system is characterized by a two-party system, with the Democratic and Republican parties being the primary political forces. However, third parties and independent candidates occasionally make an impact in elections, particularly at local levels. The system of checks and balances, established by the Constitution, ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful.
Political History
The United States has a rich political history, rooted in its founding in 1776 after declaring independence from Britain. The U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1787, serves as the supreme law of the land and established the framework for the government. Over the years, the country expanded westward, with significant historical events such as the Civil War (1861-1865), which ended slavery, and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, which sought to secure equality for African Americans.
The U.S. has been a global superpower since the end of World War II, with significant influence in global politics, economics, and culture. The country’s foreign policy has been marked by a commitment to democracy, capitalism, and international alliances, although it has also faced criticism for military interventions and foreign policy decisions, especially during the Cold War and in more recent conflicts in the Middle East.
Governance Challenges
The United States faces several challenges in governance, including political polarization, economic inequality, and debates over healthcare and immigration reform. The country’s political system has become increasingly divided, with significant ideological differences between the major parties. Additionally, issues such as income inequality, racial disparities, and the availability of healthcare remain central concerns for many Americans.
Despite these challenges, the United States remains one of the world’s leading democracies, with a strong legal system and a history of political stability and resilience.
Culture of the United States
Music and Dance
The United States is home to a diverse and influential music scene, with genres such as jazz, blues, rock, country, hip-hop, and pop music being born and popularized in the country. American music reflects its cultural diversity, with African American, Latino, and European musical traditions blending to create unique styles. The rise of Hollywood also made the U.S. a global center for film and entertainment.
Dance is also an integral part of American culture, from ballet to modern dance, and popular forms like hip-hop and breakdancing, which emerged from urban communities. Music festivals such as Coachella and Woodstock have become cultural landmarks, showcasing the country’s vibrant musical identity.
Art and Literature
The U.S. has produced numerous influential artists and writers, many of whom have shaped the country’s identity and contributed to global culture. American literature includes iconic works by authors such as Mark Twain, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Toni Morrison. Contemporary literature continues to explore themes of social justice, race, and identity.
American art is marked by a diverse range of movements, from the abstract expressionism of Jackson Pollock to the pop art of Andy Warhol. The country’s museums, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Getty Center in Los Angeles, house world-renowned collections.
Food
American cuisine is a reflection of the country’s diverse immigrant history. While it is known for fast food, such as hamburgers and fries, the U.S. also boasts a wide variety of regional dishes. Southern cuisine includes dishes like fried chicken, gumbo, and cornbread, while New England offers clam chowder and lobster rolls. The U.S. has also embraced international cuisines, from Italian and Mexican to Chinese and Indian, creating a dynamic food culture.
Festivals and Holidays
The United States celebrates numerous holidays and festivals, with Thanksgiving being one of the most important cultural traditions, marked by family gatherings and a large meal. Independence Day (July 4) celebrates the nation’s founding, with fireworks, parades, and barbecues. The Super Bowl, the championship game of American football, is a major event that unites the country through sports.
Other cultural celebrations include Halloween, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve, all of which are marked by a mix of religious, commercial, and cultural customs. The diversity of the U.S. is reflected in its wide array of holiday traditions, from Jewish and Christian observances to celebrations of various ethnic heritages.
United States Map
