Capital Washington, D.C.
Largest city New York City National language English Government Federal presidential constitutional republic
President Barack Obama
Vice President Joe Biden Legislature Congress Upper House Senate Lower House House of Representatives Area Total 9,826,675 km2 or 3,794,101 sq mi |
Population 2010 census 308,745,538
Geography
The United States is the world's third or fourth largest nation by total area (land and water), ranking behind Russia and Canada and just above or below China. The Mississippi–Missouri River, the world's fourth longest river system, runs mainly north–south through the heart of the country.
Political Divisions
The United States is a federal union of fifty states. The original thirteen states were the successors of the thirteen colonies that rebelled against British rule.
Political Divisions
The United States is a federal union of fifty states. The original thirteen states were the successors of the thirteen colonies that rebelled against British rule.
Civil War
USA Civil War, also called War Between the States, four-year war (1861–65) between the United States and 11 Southern states that seceded from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America.
World War I and World War II
In World War I in 1914, the United States remained neutral. Most Americans sympathized with the British and French, although many opposed intervention. In 1917, the United States joined the Allies, helping to turn the tide against the Central Powers. During World War II's United States to join the Allies against the Axis powers as well as the internment of Japanese Americans by the thousands. The United States, having developed the first nuclear weapons, used them on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August. Japan surrendered on September 2, ending the war.
Cold War and protest politics
The Cold War was a state of political and military tension after World War II between powers in the Western Bloc (the United States, its NATO allies and others) and powers in the Eastern Bloc (the Soviet Union and its allies in the Warsaw Pact
Political Parties
Political Parties
The United States has operated under a two-party system for most of its history.Since the general election of 1856, the major parties have been the Democratic Party, founded in 1824, and the Republican Party, founded in 1854.
Political Parties
The United States has operated under a two-party system for most of its history.Since the general election of 1856, the major parties have been the Democratic Party, founded in 1824, and the Republican Party, founded in 1854.
Current Election
The winner of the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections, Democrat Barack Obama, is the 44th U.S. president.
In the 114th United States Congress, both the House of Representatives and the Senate are controlled by the Republican Party. The Senate currently consists of 54 Republicans, and 44 Democrats with two independents who caucus with the Democrats; the House consists of 246 Republicans and 188 Democrats, with one vacancy.There are 29 Republican and 21 Democratic state governors.
In the 114th United States Congress, both the House of Representatives and the Senate are controlled by the Republican Party. The Senate currently consists of 54 Republicans, and 44 Democrats with two independents who caucus with the Democrats; the House consists of 246 Republicans and 188 Democrats, with one vacancy.There are 29 Republican and 21 Democratic state governors.
Economy
According to the International Monetary Fund, the U.S. GDP of $16.8 trillion constitutes 24% of the gross world product at market exchange rates and over 19% of the gross world product at purchasing power parity (PPP). Its national GDP was about 5% larger at PPP in 2014 than the European Union's, whose population is around 62% higher.However, the US's nominal GDP is estimated to be $17.528 trillion as of 2014, which is about 5% smaller than that of the European Union
Religion
The United States is officially a secular nation. According to a 2007 survey, 78.4% of adults identified themselves as Christian, down from 86.4% in 1990. Protestant denominations accounted for 51.3%, while Roman Catholicism, at 23.9%, was the largest individual denomination.
Sports
Baseball has been regarded as the national sport since the late 19th century.While most major U.S. sports have evolved out of European practices, basketball, volleyball, skateboarding, snowboarding, and cheerleading are American inventions.
Media
The four major broadcasters in the U.S. are the NBC,CBS, ABC Fox. Well-known newspapers are The New York Times, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.the U.S. film industry has largely been based in and around Hollywood, California.