What do we know about the U.S.A.?

The U.S.A.

The geographic position: The territory of the U.S.A. stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, from the Canada boarder to the Gulf of Mexico. In area it is the fourth largest country in the world (behind Russia, Canada and China).

The country’s capital is Washington D.C. (District of Columbia) with population of over 3,5 million.

The History: When the USA declared its independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776, there were 13 original states. Now there are 50 of them. The American flag is called the Stars and Stripes. The horizontal red and white stripes represent the original thirteen states. The stars in the flag – white on a dark-blue background – represent the number of states making up the United States now.

Each state has its nickname. For instance, Florida is called the Sunshine State.

Delaware – the First State;

Texas – the Lone Star State;

Louisiana –the Pelican State;

Montana – the treasure State;

Arkansas – the Land of Opportunity;

Washington – the Ever Green State;

Missouri – the Show Me State.

The U.S.A. is a land of bountiful rivers and lakes. The northern state of Minnesota, for example, is known as the land of 10.000 lakes. The longest American river is the Mississippi River which is the world’s longest river behind the Nile and the Amazon.

The population of the U.S.A. is about 340 mln. Ethnic division in the U.S.A. is: 78% – white; 14%–black; 8% – Hispanic origin.

The phrase “E Pluribus Unum” – (out of many, one) is an American motto. It indicates that the United States is one country made up of many parts. These Parts are 50 states. On another level the “parts” are different people whose ancestors came to the U.S. from almost every area of the globe. The largest cities are:

New York (NY)

Chicago (Il)

Philadelphia (PA)

Los Angeles (CA)

Dallas (TX)

Houston (TX)

Detroit (MI)

San Diego (CA)

Political system: The American parliament is called the American Congress. It consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The President of the U.S.A. is elected every four years to a four-year-term of office, with no more than two full terms allowed. The president is chosen in nation wide elections. The Vice President is elected from the same political party as the President.

The Constitution of the U.S.A. says nothing about political parties, but there is a two-party system in the U.S.A. The two leading parties are the Democrats and the Republicans.

What do we know about the U.S.A.?

1. What is the geographic position of the U.S.A.?

2. What is the country’s capital? What is its population?

3. What does American flag look like? How is American history represented on the American flag?

4. Is it true that each state has its nickname?

5. What is the longest river of the U.S.A.? Are there big lakes?

6. What is the population of the U.S.A.? What is its ethnic division?

7. What is the well-known American motto?

8. What are the largest cities of the U.S.A.?

9. What do we know about the United States’ political system?

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14