The United States of America is a federal republic consisting of 50 states, a federal district (where the capital, Washington, D.C., is located), five major territories, and various minor islands. The 48 contiguous states and Washington D.C. are in central North America between Canada and Mexico, with the state of Alaska in the northwest extremity of the continent, and the state of Hawaii in the mid-Pacific. The territories are scattered about the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Three major mountain ranges (the RockyMountains, the Sierra Nevada, and the Appalachian Mountains), vast plains, deserts, and forests, characterize the U.S. landscape. Additionally, the United States is rich in natural resources including petroleum, natural gas, and coal.
The United States was founded on July 4, 1776, when the thirteen colonies declared their independence from the British Empire. This date is celebrated annually as Independence Day. In the late 18th century, the U.S. Constitution was adopted, creating a strong federal structure with an intricate system of checks and balances. The first ten amendments, known collectively as the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791 and guarantee many fundamental civil rights and freedoms. Over the centuries, the United States expanded across North America through a combination of treaties, purchases, wars, and annexation, a process that was largely completed by 1912.
Economically, the United States is a global powerhouse. It maintains one of the world's largest GDPs and is considered a leader in technological innovation and financial services. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are the world’s largest stock exchanges by market capitalization. Industries such as technology, healthcare, automotive, and entertainment (particularly Hollywood) play significant roles in the global market. The SiliconValley, for example, is synonymous with technological advancements and startups, shaping global tech trends and innovations.
Culturally, the United States is remarkably diverse, reflecting large-scale immigration from many countries. This diversity is evident in its societal norms, cuisine, music, and arts. American English is the de facto national language, although languages like Spanish, Chinese, and Tagalog are also widely spoken due to the diverse immigrant population. Major cultural exports include music genres such as jazz, rock, and hip-hop, and the country is a heavyweight in both the film and television industries, influencing global media and entertainment. The U.S. also emphasizes educational institutions, housing many prestigious universities known worldwide such as Harvard, MIT, and Stanford, which attract students globally. The meltingPot culture of the U.S. provides a dynamic and ever-evolving cultural landscape.