Introduction
USA Quick Facts

The United States of America (USA), commonly known as the United States (or US), is by far the most famous country in the world. It’s famous for its attractions, tech innovation, sports, movies, films, monuments, and more. Let’s start with some basic information about the United States of America.

Part 1 Summary
Part 2 Government
Part 3 50 states
Part 4 Permanently inhabited territories
Part 5 I wanna ask...

Part 1 Summary
A brief rundown
• Official name: United States of America
• Other names: “the States,” “the USA,” “the US,” and “America”
• Capital: Washington, DC
• 50 states and 14 territories (only 5 of the 14 territories have permanent residents)
• Area: 3,794,083 square miles (9,826,630 square kilometers)
• Population: 332,785,000+ For more, click HERE

The United States is home to the world’s oldest federal government; the world’s largest economy by nominal GDP; and the world’s second largest economy by PPP.

Part 2 Government
The nation’s backbone

America has a federal system of government that consists of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The country advocates for democracy in which people can freely express their ideas, religious beliefs, and opinions.

• Form of government: Constitution-based federal republic
• Three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial)
• Three levels (federal, state, and local)
• Currency: US dollar
• Religion: Officially secular, but over half are Christian, followed by Judaism (1.6%), Islam (0.5%), etc.
• No official language at the federal level (“most common” is English followed by Spanish and Chinese)

Although English is the most commonly used language, the United States doesn’t have an official language at the federal level.

Part 3 50 states
Separate but united

The United States is made up of 50 states and Washington, DC. Of the 50 states, 48 of them are contiguous. The remaining two are Alaska, located Northwest of Canada, and Hawaii, located in the Pacific Ocean.

• Alaska is the largest state with the longest coastline
• Rhode Island and Delaware are the two smallest states by geographic size
• Puerto Rico is the most populous inhabited territory
• California is the most populous state with over 39 million residents
• Wyoming is the least populated state with only 577,000 residents
• The Navajo Nation is the largest Native American reservation which is considered a sovereign Native American nation with its own government

Part 4 Permanently inhabited territories
Beyond the states

America also has five permanently inhabited territories: American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

• They are partially self-governing under US authority
• They use the US dollar, none pay federal taxes
• Citizens nor nationals from these territories cannot vote in presidential elections
• All have the protection of the US court system and have representation in Congress

Part 5 I wanna ask...
USA Quick Facts

How can I improve my English?
Improving your English can pay massive dividends in terms of your work experience in the United States. In addition to interacting with your colleagues at work, you can improve your English by taking classes and engaging in social/extracurricular activities outside of your work environment where you can practice speaking the language. There are also several apps that you can use to aid in your mastery of English, such as Duolingo.

What is the meaning of “melting pot?”
America is often referred to as a “melting pot” in which a variety of peoples, cultures, or individuals with distinct “flavors” assimilating into a cohesive whole. The term “melting pot” refers to a society where there is a mix of many different cultures and customs combined into one whole. This term is often used to describe the cultural aspect of the United States.

Is it dangerous to travel in the US?
Much like any other place in the world, the level of safety in the US depends on the location and circumstances. For example, in every city, there are safe and unsafe neighborhoods. Even in safe areas, it is possible for danger to be present. As a rule of thumb, always be prepared (always have a plan in mind), informed (learn about the area and possible risks and safety measures before you go), and alert (always check your surroundings).

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