Hi guys! Want to know some exciting facts about the USA? This vast country is famous across the world and has a cultural imprint that is driven by technological innovation, popular movies, television, and music. Actually, what do you know about the United States of America? Discover all the amazing and interesting things America has to offer with these exciting facts.

Geography

The United States of America is the world’s third-largest country in size, nearly the third largest in terms of population. Located in North America, the country is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. Along the northern border is Canada and the southern border is Mexico. There are 50 states and the District of Columbia.

More than twice the size of the European Union, the United States has high mountains in the West and a vast central plain. The lowest point in the country is in Death Valley which is at -282 feet (-86 meters) and the highest peak is Denali (Mt. McKinley) at 20,320 feet (6,198 meters).

Throughout its history, the United States has definitely been a nation of immigrants. Without a doubt, the population is diverse with people from all over the world seeking refuge and a better way of life.

Regions

The country is divided into six regions: New England, the mid-Atlantic, the South, the Midwest, the Southwest, and the West.

First of all, European settlers came to New England in search of religious freedom. These states are Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Secondly, the mid-Atlantic region includes Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and the city of Washington, D.C. These industrial areas attracted millions of European immigrants and, as well as that, they gave rise to some of the East Coast’s largest cities: New York, Baltimore, and Philadelphia.

Thirdly, the South includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Fourth, the Midwest is home to the country’s agricultural base and people call it the “nation’s breadbasket.” The region comprises the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Fifthly, the Southwest is a beautiful stark landscape of prairie and desert. The states of Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas are considered the Southwest. They are home to some of the world’s great natural marvels, including the Grand Canyon and Carlsbad Caverns.

Last but not least, the American West, home of rolling plains and the cowboy, is a symbol of the pioneering spirit of the United States. The West is diverse, ranging from endless wilderness to barren desert, coral reefs to Arctic tundra, Hollywood to Yellowstone. The states of the West include Alaska, Colorado, California, Hawai, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Nature

The landscape varies across the large country from tropical beaches in Florida to peaks in the Rocky Mountains, from rolling prairie lands and barren deserts in the West to dense wilderness areas in the Northeast and Northwest. Interspersed throughout are the Great Lakes, the Grand Canyon, the majestic Yosemite Valley, and the mighty Mississippi River.

The wildlife is as diverse as the landscape. For example, mammals such as bison once roamed freely across the plains, but now live only in preserves. Black bears, grizzlies, and polar bears are the largest carnivores. On the other hand, there are over 20,000 flower species and most came from Europe. There are more than 400 areas protected and maintained by the National Park Service, and many other parks in each state.

Moreover, the bald eagle is the national bird and symbol of the United States and is a protected species.

Government and Economy

Citizens over 18 vote to elect the President and Vice President of the United States every four years. Therefore, the president lives in the White House in the capital city of Washington, D.C.

There are two houses of Congress: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Two senators come from each of the 50 states and they serve a six-year term. In other words, there are 435 representatives elected every two years.

The Supreme Court is made up of nine justices picked by the president and must be approved by Congress.

For the first time in the nation’s history an African American, Barack Obama, was elected President of the United States in 2008, and afterward, he was re-elected for a second term in 2012. In 2021, Joe Biden was elected 46th President of the United States.

Undoubtedly, advances in the past hundred years have established America as a world leader economically, militarily, and technologically. America has the largest coal reserves in the world.

Hope you take a keen interest in this wonderful country and its breathtaking natural beauties, as well as its people and culture! Go on learning about the Use of English and about passing your First Certificate Exam with flying colors!

Likewise, check my FB page or my TeachersPayTeachers store, where you will find all sorts of pieces of advice and resources.

Find out more!

• The Lonely Planet USA portal has links to videos, destination guides and more
• Understand more about US elections and branches of government with a kids’ website about government in the USA, Ben’s Guide
• Find out more about the 50 US states: learn the name and location of each state and its capital and locate it on an interactive map, draw the state flags and play US-state games, build collages and more
• National Geographic Kids’ facts and figures about the “Land of the Free’
• Explore the 50 states online
• A huge, interactive guide to North American plants and animals
• See slideshow images of major US cities including Washington DC, Boston, Chicago and New Orleans
• The National Park Service website is a gateway to the USA’s magnificent national parks
• Color US landmarks, maps, historical events, and national symbols

Find out more!

• The Liberty Bell, the Star-Spangled Banner, the Statue of Liberty and the Pledge of Allegiance are all symbols of the USA: find out why
• Read a kids’ guide to American history or take a trip through American history from 1492 onwards
• Thanksgiving is one of the biggest celebrations in the US calendar. Watch Newsround reports to see US kids explain Thanksgiving, find out more about Thanksgiving celebrations in the USA, and about Thanksgiving traditions
• Find out more about American life in Colonial times on the Colonial Williamsburg website
• Discover some of America’s favourite pastimes, sports and hobbies (baseball, music and quilting) and find out more about America’s culture
• Learn more about famous American inventors, politicians, performers, and activists on a Library of Congress website for kids
• Read the story of the creation of the USA’s first iconic flag, the Star-Spangled Banner
• Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States. He lead America through the Civil War and ending the slave system in America
• Read kids’ fiction about black history and find out more about slavery and the Underground Railroad, the American Civil War in the 1860s, and the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s
• Find out more about immigration to America and how the United States was built by people from many different countries
• See inside the White House, one of the most famous buildings in the world
• Understand more about September 11, 2001 and how the events of 9/11 shaped modern American history

See for yourself!

• The interactive map on the Visit USA site offers facts, ideas and videos about each area
• See lots of photographs of American destinations on the GoUSA website
• Information about visiting the USA’s most iconic city, New York City
• See the Statue of Liberty up close (and online!)