USA GEOGRAPHY
Facts about America
North America map
Where is America
The United States is located in the continent of North America, North of Mexico and South of Canada. It stretches from the Atlantic in the East to the Pacific in the west.
Population of America
The population of America is 321,368,864 (Jul 2015 estimate). It is the 3rd largest population in the world. America has a large population with an even larger land mass and so the population density in America is very low. It is the 182nd most densely populated country in the world.
Land area
The United States covers an area of 9,833,517sq km making it the third largest country in the world. It is roughly the same size as China and the United States. It is half the size of Russia and three tenths the size of Africa.
Languages of America
English is spoken by 79% of the population with next most popular language being Spanish (13%) and other European languages, (4%) followed by languages from Asia (3%) amongst others. The United States does not have an official language but some of the states have decreed that English is the first language.
Capital city of America
The capital city of America is Washington DC, which has a population 672,000 people living in its federal district. This makes it the 25th largest city in America.
The White House in Washington DC
National Flag of America
Dating back to 1775, there have been over twenty different versions of the flag of the United States. The reason the flag keeps changing is the symbolism represented by the stars and stripes. The thirteen stripes represent the British colonies who declared independence giving birth to a nation. The stars represent the states and territories of the United States and the flag kept changing as more states joined the union.
National day
America celebrates Independence day every year on the 4th July. It recognises the date that the thirteen American colonies adopted the declaration of Independence on the 4th July in 1776.
Currency
In America, the American Dollar is used for currency.
Time zone
Being such a large country, it comes as no surprise that America has six time zones. Some states choose to observe daylight saving time and some do not so there can be wide variety in the times between states. The day on which daylight saving time is started is the same in all states.
Climate
America's large size means that it has a very varied climate ranging from tropical in Florida and Hawaii to Arctic in Alaska. Whilst mostly temperate, the United States is semi-arid in the great plains to the west of the Mississippi river and arid in the Great Basin in the Southwest. Low winter temperatures in the North can sometimes be altered by the warm chinook winds coming off the Rocky Mountains.
Images of the United States
The United States has 58 national parks and 23 World Heritage sites. A wide variety of different environments can be found in the national parks.
Maps of the United States
This map of the different states of America is colourful and child friendly. We have a wide range of different maps that are free to download and use today to help you with your studies.
Facts about The United States
Houston is one of the fastest growing major cities in America. And Texas is home to three of the top ten fastest growing cities in the US.
Top 10 largest cities in America*
1 New York 8,244,000
2 Los Angeles 3,819,000
3 Chicago 2,707,000
4 Houston 2,145,000
5 Philadelphia 1,536,000
6 Phoenix 1,469,000
7 San Antonio 1,359,000
8 San Diego 1,326,000
9 Dallas 1,223,000
10 San Jose 967,000
*as measured by the population that lives in the incorported cities.
Large companies in America
America is home to many of the largest companies in the world when measured by revenue.
1 Walmart $485 billion
2 ExxonMobil $268 billion
3 Apple $235 billion
4 Berkshire Hathaway $195 billion
5 McKessen $179 billion
6 Philips 66 $161 billion
7 General Motors $152 billion
8 General Electric $149 billion
9 Ford $144 billion
10 CVs Health $139 billion
Source: Wikipedia
Space exploration
The United States has the largest space industry in the world spending more than the next 25 countries combined.
America has launched over 1100 payloads into space and has a large satellite manufacturing and delivery industry.
The average family unit in America has 1.87 children.
Life expectancy is relatively high. The 43rd highest in the world. Life expectancy
for men is 77.3 years
for women is 82 years
Source CIA factbook
A typical home in the suburbs will be two storeys
tall, have space for a garage and a garden.
Urban or Rural?
82% of the population are considered urban living in the towns and cities.
Transport in the United States
Due to the large size of the country, America has the world's longest road network, the world's longest rail netowrk and the world's largest air travel market. Car ownership is often essential with 92% of people commuting to work by car.
Source: Economist
Shopping in California
Family life in America
Pregerson Interchange, LA
Service industries in America
The service industries, as in many modern economies, accounts for 78% of what the country produces. The largest segment here is retail, employing 10% of the people in work. The next largest sectors are hotels and restaurants 8% and professional services 6%.
Source: Wikipedia
A suburban American home.
Videos for school - United States
The American National anthem.
Fascinating facts about the White House