general information about usa

True flatness is rare, although the High Plains of western Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and eastern Colorado come close. Besides the 48 conterminous states that occupy the middle latitudes of the continent, the United States includes the state of Alaska, at the northwestern extreme of North America, and the island state of Hawaii, in the mid-Pacific Ocean. This Appalachian coal, like the Mesabi iron that it complements in U.S. industry, is extraordinary. Carl M. Loeb University Professor Emeritus, Harvard University. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS General Motors is home to Chevrolet, Buick, GMC & Cadillac. The country embraces some of the world’s largest urban concentrations as well as some of the most extensive areas that are almost devoid of habitation. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. D. 100. The western flanks of the Interior Lowlands are the Great Plains, a territory of awesome bulk that spans the full distance between Canada and Mexico in a swath nearly 500 miles (800 km) wide. The High Plains, near Fort Morgan, Colorado. To some, the landscape may seem dull, for heights of more than 2,000 feet (600 metres) are unusual, and truly rough terrain is almost lacking. North of the Missouri–Ohio river line, the advance and readvance of continental ice left an intricate mosaic of boulders, sand, gravel, silt, and clay and a complex pattern of lakes and drainage channels, some abandoned, some still in use. West of the Central Lowland is the mighty Cordillera, part of a global mountain system that rings the Pacific basin. B. General: What You Can Do. ... (SEL) SEL TERMS AND CONDITIONS SEL PRIVACY POLICY CA PRIVACY NOTICE DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION… It is the world’s third most populous country after China and India and the world’s fourth largest country by land area after Russia, Canada, and China. The two great sets of elements that mold the physical environment of the United States are, first, the geologic, which determines the main patterns of landforms, drainage, and mineral resources and influences soils to a lesser degree, and, second, the atmospheric, which dictates not only climate and weather but also in large part the distribution of soils, plants, and animals. Here are some basic facts you should know when applying to different branches of the United States military. The United States still offers its residents opportunities for unparalleled personal advancement and wealth. Usually, however, the Appalachian Plateau is considered a subregion of the Appalachian Mountains, partly on grounds of location, partly because of geologic structure. The United States of America is one of the largest countries in the world based on both population and land area. Interstate History 4. Learn about the American flag and how to display it. The country continues to sustain an economic life that is more diversified than any other on Earth, providing the majority of its people with one of the world’s highest standards of living. It has a relatively short history compared to other world nations and has one of the world's largest economies and one of the world's most diverse populations. Find government information on education including primary, secondary, and higher education. The United States of America is one of the biggest and wealthiest countries in the world. More commonly, the land is broadly rolling, and parts of the northern plains are sharply dissected into badlands. Fifty 5-pointed white stars, representing the present number of states in the Union, are placed in 9 horizontal rows alternately of 6 and 5 against a blue field in the upper left corner of the flag. Capitol.) The U.S. owns the GPS (Global Positioning System). General Information Are you thinking of joining the military? Discover highlights from American history, including founding documents. Fishing boat at the harbour at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. • The hosting considerations laid out below are not an exhaustive list. General Information on Canada. Southward the plain grows wider, swinging westward in Georgia and Alabama to truncate the Appalachians along their southern extremity and separate the interior lowland from the Gulf. Take the Quiz and Prove to yourself how good you really are! The United States outlawed alcohol in 1919 with the 18th amendment. In its first century and a half, the country was mainly preoccupied with its own territorial expansion and economic growth and with social debates that ultimately led to civil war and a healing period that is still not complete. The conterminous states are bounded on the north by Canada, on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, on the south by the Gulf of Mexico and Mexico, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE CCPA. Housing. The major characteristic of the United States is probably its great variety. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Here’s a list of 25 Interesting USA facts that you probably didn’t know. The rank of general ranks above a lieutenant general and below the special wartime ranks of General of the Army or General of the Air … There are 50 statesand the District of Columbia. Des articles sont écris par des bénévoles qui cherchent un rapprochement. The southern part of the Central Lowland is quite different, covered mostly with loess (wind-deposited silt) that further subdued the already low relief surface. 1. As such, the United States is highly influential internationally. Iron lies near the surface and close to the deepwater ports of the upper Great Lakes. Despite its relative economic self-sufficiency in many areas, the United States is the most important single factor in world trade by virtue of the sheer size of its economy. Political units in association with the United States include Puerto Rico, discussed in the article Puerto Rico, and several Pacific islands, discussed in Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. 40. It has not accepted this mantle easily nor always carried it willingly; the principles and ideals of its founders have been tested by the pressures and exigencies of its dominant status. Test your knowledge of when each of the 50 states became part of the United States. As the Mesabi iron was a major source of America’s industrial wealth, its agricultural prosperity has been rooted in Midwestern loess. USA facts: Official web sites of the United States, links and information on US art, culture, geography, history, travel and tourism, cities, the US capital, District of … United States Facts for Kids. Over much of central Canada, these Precambrian rocks are exposed at the surface and form the continent’s single largest topographical region, the formidable and ice-scoured Canadian Shield. Forest fires or volcanoes harm air quality. As in the rest of the shield, glaciers have stripped soils away, strewn the surface with boulders and other debris, and obliterated preglacial drainage systems. The United States of America (often referred to as the USA, or simply the US) is the world”s third largest country in size (after Russia and Canada) and the third largest in terms of population (after China and India). Please refer to any federal, state, and local directives and guidance on hosting gatherings safely. Find information for federal, state, and local government agencies and elected officials. Get information about the 2020 U.S. Census. The official and formal insignia of General is defined by its four-stars. usa's involvement in the united nation's security council. America was the first of the European colonies to separate successfully from its motherland, and it was the first nation to be established on the premise that sovereignty rests with its citizens and not with the government. Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates. The United States of America is the world's third largest country in size and nearly the third largest in terms of population. Whether or not the lowlands constitute the country’s cultural core is debatable, but there can be no doubt that they comprise its geologic core and in many ways its geographic core as well. South of the Adirondack Mountains and the Superior Upland lies the boundary between crystalline and sedimentary rocks; abruptly, everything is different. This is an example of a page. The main mineral wealth of the Interior Lowlands derives from fossil fuels. 2. ): 318,892,103 (growth rate: 0.77%); birth rate: 13.42/1000; infant mortality rate: 6.17/1000; life expectancy: 79.56; Seen from the east, the surface of the Great Plains rises inexorably from about 2,000 feet (600 metres) near Omaha, Nebraska, to more than 6,000 feet (1,825 metres) at Cheyenne, Wyoming, but the climb is so gradual that popular legend holds the Great Plains to be flat. Beyond the reach of glaciation to the south, the sedimentary rocks have been raised into two broad upwarps, separated from one another by the great valley of the Mississippi River. Most attempts at farming in these areas have been abandoned, but the combination of a comparative wilderness in a northern climate, clear lakes, and white-water streams has fostered the development of both regions as year-round outdoor recreation areas. Old Glory was designed by a high school student. There may … Hurricanes or floods can contaminate drinking water sources. Wacky Town Names 6. Read about United States history, its population, states, economy, mountains, rivers, popular sports and much more. Inauguration of the President of the United States, Get U.S. government maps, data, and statistics. United States of America Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Its physical environment ranges from the Arctic to the subtropical, from the moist rain forest to the arid desert, from the rugged mountain peak to the flat prairie. The nation’s wealth is partly a reflection of its rich natural resources and its enormous agricultural output, but it owes more to the country’s highly developed industry. 1. Test the strength of your wits! Please select which sections you would like to print: While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The gently sloping surface of the plain extends out beneath the sea, where it forms the continental shelf, which, although submerged beneath shallow ocean water, is geologically identical to the Coastal Plain. (It should be noted that although the terms “America” and “Americans” are often used as synonyms for the United States and its citizens, respectively, they are also used in a broader sense for North, South, and Central America collectively and their citizens.). Do you think you're a patriot? Tornadoes or earthquakes, by damaging factories or storage facilities, can release contaminants where people live or into the environment. The Library of Congress occupies three buildings on Capitol Hill. Above all, the loess produces soil of extraordinary fertility. The Great Plains were built by successive layers of poorly cemented sand, silt, and gravel—debris laid down by parallel east-flowing streams from the Rocky Mountains. CDC Mold Web site provides information on mold and health, an inventory of state indoor air quality programs, advice on assessment, cleanup efforts, and prevention of mold growth, and links to resources. Eastward from the Central Lowland the Appalachian Plateau—a narrow band of dissected uplands that strongly resembles the Ozark Plateau and Interior Low Plateaus in steep slopes, wretched soils, and endemic poverty—forms a transition between the interior plains and the Appalachian Mountains. History and Historical Documents Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Petroleum and natural gas have been found in nearly every state between the Appalachians and the Rockies, but the Midcontinent Fields of western Texas and the Texas Panhandle, Oklahoma, and Kansas surpass all others. America's Weird Museums 3. The United States is the world’s greatest economic power, measured in terms of gross domestic product (GDP). United States of America. ... United States. This is a general quiz on everything about the USA. Learn English and Attend College in the U.S. Introduction to Federal Government Contracting, The Contract Opportunities Search Tool on beta.SAM.gov, Locate Military Members, Units, and Facilities. Except for two nearly circular patches of rich limestone country—the Nashville Basin of Tennessee and the Kentucky Bluegrass region—most of both plateau regions consists of sandstone uplands, intricately dissected by streams. In spite of depletion, the Minnesota and Michigan mines still yield a major proportion of the country’s iron and a significant percentage of the world’s supply. U.S. States Dates of Admission to the Union Quiz. Here are 15 interesting facts about the US you can now add to your list. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. b. What rights do I have under the CCPA? FLAG: The flag consists of 13 alternate stripes, 7 red and 6 white; these represent the 13 original colonies. Learn where to find answers to the most requested facts about the United States of America. Explore All Topics and Services on USA.gov, USAGov is the Official Guide to Government Information and Services, Government Agencies and Elected Officials, Presidents, Vice Presidents, and First Ladies, Indian Tribes and Resources for Native Americans, Commonly Requested U.S. Laws and Regulations, How Laws Are Made and How to Research Them, Personal Legal Issues, Documents, and Family History, Who Can and Can’t Vote in U.S. The District of Columbia is discussed in the article Washington. The soils there are poor, and mineral resources are scanty. For discussion of other major U.S. cities, see the articles Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York City, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. The Cordillera encompasses fully one-third of the United States, with an internal variety commensurate with its size. A. How many states are there in the US?. Find information for federal, state, and local government agencies and elected officials. ... Strait on the North East separates it from Greenland, to the East is the Atlantic Ocean; the South is bordered by the United States of America and the West by the Pacific Ocean and Alaska. The Republicans and the Democrats. Unlike the other plateaus, where rocks are warped upward, the rocks there form an elongated basin, wherein bituminous coal has been preserved from erosion. south africa. America exists in the day to day through ball games, hamburgers and apple pie, and all that jazz. Planning - Preparing for natural disasters can greatly reduce the risks to health and the environment. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Laura Head, the SoCal UIC is responsible for developing the best umpires possible for the teams that play softball under the USA Softball of Southern California banner. Mineral wealth in the Superior Upland is legendary. The Colorado River in Marble Canyon at the northeastern end of Grand Canyon National Park, northwestern Arizona. (PDF, 740.47 KB) However, the depletion of its resources, the contamination of its environment, and the continuing social and economic inequality that perpetuates areas of poverty and blight all threaten the fabric of the country. CAPITAL: Washington, D.C. (District of Columbia). What are the two major parties in the US?. Elsewhere, especially near major rivers, postglacial streams carved the loess into rounded hills, and visitors have aptly compared their billowing shapes to the waves of the sea. General Information. Facts & Figures. Government Agencies and Elected Officials. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Omissions? Iron is mined both north and south of Lake Superior, but best known are the colossal deposits of Minnesota’s Mesabi Range, for more than a century one of the world’s richest and a vital element in America’s rise to industrial power. Do you know when California became a state? The internet was first conceptualized in the United States. In the United States most of the crystalline platform is concealed under a deep blanket of sedimentary rocks. The United States is relatively young by world standards, being less than 250 years old; it achieved its current size only in the mid-20th century. Health. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. The United States contains a highly diverse population. The United States is a lot more than just serious statistics and boring textbook history. (Since this article covers only the conterminous United States, see also the articles Alaska and Hawaii.). A. President: Donald J. Trump (2017) Vice President: Michael Pence (2017) Land area: 3,539,225 sq mi (9,166,601 sq km); total area: 3,718,691 sq mi (9,631,420 sq km) Population (2014 est. The core of this sedimentary region—the heartland of the United States—is the great Central Lowland, which stretches for 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometres) from New York to central Texas and north another 1,000 miles to the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. ... You can also read some general information such as highest mountain, biggest cities, largest lake, government and much more! Learn some interesting information about the United States of America while enjoying a range of fun facts and trivia that's perfect for kids! Although these elements are not entirely independent of one another, each produces on a map patterns that are so profoundly different that essentially they remain two separate geographies. Extensive, thick, and close to the surface, it has stoked the furnaces of northeastern steel mills for decades and helps explain the huge concentration of heavy industry along the lower Great Lakes. Local relief runs to several hundreds of feet in most places, and visitors to the region must travel winding roads along narrow stream valleys. Image credit: BublikHaus/Shutterstock. Southward and eastward, the land rises gradually to three major plateaus. Learn about GM’s rich history and dedication to innovation, inclusion, sustainability and safety. The items below provide general information on how to accomplish tasks through USCIS. The United States is the fourth largest country in the world in area (after Russia, Canada, and China ). A cat served as honorary mayor for 20 years in Talkeetna, Alaska. Find contact information and other facts about Presidents, Vice Presidents, and First Ladies, past and present. In the far north, however, the naked Canadian Shield extends into the United States far enough to form two small but distinctive landform regions: the rugged and occasionally spectacular Adirondack Mountains of northern New York and the more-subdued and austere Superior Upland of northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Find data about the U.S., such as demographic and economic data, population, and maps. The centre of the conterminous United States is a great sprawling interior lowland, reaching from the ancient shield of central Canada on the north to the Gulf of Mexico on the south. An official website of the United States government. 1. Questions on the text. Pent between the Rockies and the Pacific chain is a vast intermontane complex of basins, plateaus, and isolated ranges so large and remarkable that they merit recognition as a region separate from the Cordillera itself. The Republics and the Socialists. ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. From New York to the Mexican border stretches the low Coastal Plain, which faces the ocean along a swampy, convoluted coast. Lock Find health resources from the government. Hot Dog Month 5. How Do I Know What Services Are Available After I File? Coal occurs in structural basins protected from erosion—high-quality bituminous in the Appalachian, Illinois, and western Kentucky basins; and subbituminous and lignite in the eastern and northwestern Great Plains. Located in North America, the country is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean, and on the east by the Atlantic Ocean. Learn how to report a crime, locate a federal inmate, research common U.S. laws, and file a complaint against the government. Andrew Jackson is supposed to have remarked that the United States begins at the Alleghenies, implying that only west of the mountains, in the isolation and freedom of the great Interior Lowlands, could people finally escape Old World influences. The USA is a federal union of _____ independent states. Questions and Answers 1. Aside from small deposits of lead and zinc, metallic minerals are of little importance. Men’s “C” team must qualify … (PDF, 750.09 KB) How Do I Change My Address With USCIS? More than twice the size of the European Union, the Uni… MEN’S FAST PITCH – With the exception of Men’s “C” fast pitch teams, any team meeting registration and roster deadlines are eligible to participate in USA Softball Nationals. New challenges are changing the way the world works and Koozie Group is here to help. The most recent state to join the union was _____? We’ve gathered useful products, tools and relevant content to help you stay connected with your customers, all in one convenient place. Unlike a country such as China that largely incorporated indigenous peoples, the United States has a diversity that to a great degree has come from an immense and sustained global immigration. At its eastern margin lie the Rocky Mountains, a high, diverse, and discontinuous chain that stretches all the way from New Mexico to the Canadian border. c. The Democrats and the Socialists. a. Learn more about some off the eccentricities and quirky locales that help make this country what it is. Government Agencies and Elected Officials. United States, officially United States of America, abbreviated U.S. or U.S.A., byname America, country in North America, a federal republic of 50 states. If you are a California resident, you may ask businesses to disclose what personal information they have about you and what they do with that information, to delete your personal information and not to sell your personal information. Updates? General Information. • USA Gymnastics cannot offer legal advice or guidance specific to any particular location. Its exports and imports represent major proportions of the world total. America's Eccentric Capitals 2. (The Library began in 1800 inside the U.S.