the united states of america general information

The United States of America

General information

Basic info

• Capital: Washington, District of Columbia• Area: 9,631,418 sq km• Population: 295,7 million* the world's third largest population (following China

and India)• Currency: U.S. Dollar (USD) = 100 cents• Official language: English, Spanish • Languages: Chinese, French, Filipino, German,

Vietnamese

People • Original inhabitants: Aleuts, Eskimos, and Native

Americans (Indians)• Inhabitants: – 5 basic categories are: white (81.7%), black (12.9%), Asian (4.2%),

Amerindian and Alaska native (1%), native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander (0.2%)

* One of the largest ethnic groups, Hispanic, is not an official ethnic group.

• Immigrants: people from Mexico, India, Philippines and China

Main CitiesSan Francisco• this city is known for its steep hills and foggy days.

On a clear day we can see Golden Gate Bridge – a suspension bridge that marks the beginning of San Francisco Bay.

Las Vegas• Las Vegas in Nevada is the fastest growing city in

the USA• it´s famous for its huge casinos which often look

like top tourist attractions, e.g. the Luxor is in the shape of huge pyramid

• Las Vegas is also well known for quick marriage ceremonies

Los Angeles• is known for Hollywood, the centre of the American

film industry, beaches and shopping• many visitors to LA like to see Universal Studios,

Disneyland and so on

Chicago• there are museums, theatres and a big Ferris wheel• sports fans can also visit Wrigley Filed, home of the

Chicago Clubs baseball team• city of jazz and blues clubs

Symbols Flag

The National flag consists of 2 parts. The smaller blue rectangle in the upper-left corner contains 50 white stars symbolizing 50 states. The larger part consists of 6 white and 7 red stripes symbolizing the original 13 colonies. The flag is often called "Old Glory" or "Stars and Stripes".

Coat of arms

• the thirteen stripes represent the original states (colonies)• the colors signify purity (čistota) and innocence (nevinnost) (white), bravery (red) and justice (spravedlnost) (blue)• the olive branch and arrows (šípy) represent the powers of war and peace• the constellation (souhvězdí) represents a new state• eagle shows that the U.S. should rely on their "own virtue„

MOTTO: E Pluribus Unum (= Out of many, one)

Anthem• the national anthem is called "The Star-Spangled Banner" ("Hvězda-posázený

plakát„)

Geography The USA is made up of 50 states and a federal district

(d. of Columbia) The USA is bordered to north by Canada and to the

south by Mexico* Alaska and Hawaii are not directly attached to the US• mountain ranges: Sierra Nevada, the Cascade Range,

the Cordilleras, the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and the Great Canyon, Apalachian Mountains

• the highest peak: Mt McKinley (6,194 m) in Alaska

• rivers: The Mississippi, Colorado, Rio Grande, Missouri, Yellowstone, Ohio, Niagara River

• lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior (they are found on the US border with Canada)

• national parks: Yellowstone, Lake Clark, Grand Canyon, Crater Lake,…

• The US gained its independence from Britain on 4 July, 1776 → it is now celebrated as Independence Day

• In 1787, the United States drafted (vypracovaly) a constitution

• In 1789 George Washington became the first President of the United States

• The American Civil War took place from 1861 – 1865• In 1898, the US went to war against Spain and US won

islands including Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines• 1941 US entered into the II. World War• 2001 terrorist attack

History

• protestant (55%)• Catholics make up 23 %• Atheists (16 %)• Jews (2,5 %)• religions such as

Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims

Religions

Sport• Americans love playing American football, baseball,

basketball and ice hockey• Sport is very important in US universities

Places of interest

The Museum of Modern Art

Statue of Liberty

Central Park

Yellowstone

Grand Canyon

Niagara Falls

Questions

• What is the capital city of USA? • What is the highest peak of USA? • What is the bridge in San Francisco called?• What is the flag of USA called?• Which places of interest in USA do you know? Name

at least 4.