UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

FLAG

The United States of America (USA), commonly referred to as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a federal republic composed of 50 states, a federal district, five major territories and various possessions. The 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C., are in central North America between Canada and Mexico. The state of Alaska is located in the northwestern part of North America and the state of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific. The territories are scattered about the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. At 3.8 million square miles (9.842 million km2) and with over 320 million people, the country is the world's third or fourth-largest by total area and the third most populous. It is one of the world's most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, the product of large-scale immigration from many countries. The geography and climate of the United States are also extremely diverse, and the country is home to a wide variety of wildlife.

LANGUAGEMany languages are used, or historically have been used in the United States. The most commonly used language is English. There are also many languages indigenous to North America or to U.S. states or holdings in the Pacific region. Languages brought to the country by colonists or immigrants from Europe, Asia, or other parts of the world make up a large portion of the languages currently used; several languages, including creoles and sign languages, have also developed in the United States. Approximately 337 languages are spoken or signed by the population, of which 176 are indigenous to the area. Fifty-two languages formerly spoken in the country's territory are now extinct.

MONEY CURRENCY

US DOLLAR = PHILIPPINE PESO 1$ = 46.09 PESO

GOVERNMENT

The government of the United States of America is the federal government of the republic of fifty states that constitute the United States, as well as one capital district, and several other territories. The federal government is composed of three distinct branches: legislative, executive and judicial, whose powers are vested by the U.S. Constitution in the Congress, the President, and the federal courts, including the Supreme Court, respectively. The powers and duties of these branches are further defined by acts of Congress, including the creation of executive departments and courts inferior to the Supreme Court.

CAPITAL

Washington, D.C. has been the capital of the United States since 1800. Eight other cities have served as the meeting place for the U.S. Congress and are therefore considered to have once been the capital of the United States. In addition, each of the fifty U.S. states and the five principal territories of the United States maintains its own capital.

GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURESMost Visited Tourist

Attraction

NEW YORK

More than 50 million people visit New York City every year. The five boroughs-- or regions -- of New York have some of the most easily recognizedattractions in the world.  Visitors on a budget can take a free boat fromManhattan to Staten Island for a great view of the Statue of Liberty and theManhattan skyline.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

America’s third-largest city offers world-class museums, great food, sportingevents, and iconic architecture -- including Willis Tower, America’s tallestbuilding. The Midwest city is also known for comedy. The Second City theateris where many famous comedians got their start, including Mike Meyers andTina Fey.

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

Many say Charleston is one of the most beautiful and historic places in theUnited States. The coastal city has a very rich history. The Civil War began at its waterfront, at Fort Sumter, which visitors can explore. But present-dayCharleston has a lot to offer, too. Conde Nast Traveler voted it the numberone U.S. city, for its beautiful architecture, food, and friendly people.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

The desert city of Las Vegas is known around the world for its casinos andbright lights. Visitors stay at world-class hotels, eat at top chefs’ restaurants, and usually see a spectacular show or concert.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

visitors to the West Coast city of Seattle will find the iconic Space Needle, theworld’s first Starbucks, and Pike Place Market, one of the oldest and mostfamous farmers markets in the country. The Space Needle was built in 1962 for the World’s Fair. Riding up to the top provides views of the nearbymountains.  

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

The most famous San Francisco site is the Golden Gate Bridge. Opened in 1937, it still ranks among the top 10 longest bridge spans in the world. Beyond the bridge, San Francisco has beautiful ocean views and one of the largest Chinatowns in the world. Just a ferry ride away is Alcatraz Island, the form erfederal prison.

DISTINCT CULTURAL ATTRIBUTES

YANKEEDOM 

Encompassing the entire Northeast north of New York City and spreading through Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, Yankeedom values education, intellectual achievement, communal empowerment, and citizen participation in government as a shield against tyranny. Yankees are comfortable with government regulation. Woodard notes that Yankees have a "Utopian streak." The area was settled by radical Calvinists. 

NEW NETHERLAND

A highly commercial culture, New Netherland is "materialistic, with a profound tolerance for ethnic and religious diversity and an unflinching commitment to the freedom of inquiry and conscience," according to Woodard. It is a natural ally with Yankeedom and encompasses New York City and northern New Jersey. The area was settled by the Dutch. 

THE MIDLANDS

Settled by English Quakers, The Midlands are a welcoming middle-class society that spawned the culture of the "American Heartland." Political opinion is moderate, and government regulation is frowned upon. Woodard calls the ethnically diverse Midlands "America's great swing region." Within the Midlands are parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska. 

FESTIVALS

NATIONAL APPLE HARVEST FESTIVAL

Held during the first two weekends in October each year, the National Apple Harvest Festival in Are ndtsville, Penn., should be on the bucket list of anyone who wants to partake in one of America’s most storied traditions: apple picking. Festival-goers can drink fresh-pressed apple cider, try their luck at square-dancing and listen to live music in this tiny town just outside of Gettysburg.

INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FESTIVAL

If you like hot air balloons and you like New Mexico, then you will love the International Balloon Festival in Albuquerque. Each year in October, more than 600 hot air balloons fill the skies over a 365-acre park (that’s 54 football fields) - it’s a pretty impressive sight! Watch the mass ascensions at 7 a.m. each morning, then stick around to see the flying competitions and fireworks shows.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PUNKIN' CHUNKIN'

What do you picture when you hear the words “punkin’ chunkin’”? If you’re envisioning pumpkins being hurtled through the air thousands of feet above ground, you’re right on target. To see the best of the best, you’ll have to attend the World Championship Punkin’ Chunkin’ event in Nassau, Del., where more than 100,000 people attend the three-day festival each November. You can be a spectator or compete in the record-breaking event by assembling a punkin’ chunkin’ machine of your own.

GERMAN VILLAGE OKTOBERFEST

If you don’t want to make the trip to Munich for the legendary Oktoberfest, the German Village Oktoberfest inColumbus, Ohio, is the next best thing. This celebration of beer, polka, and all things Deutsch, is held each September (oddly enough) over a 100,000 square-foot pavilion. You can listen to authentic German music and learn how to pair the proper cheese with the proper beer - an important life skill.

WELLFLEET OYSTERFEST

A two-day event held in Wellfleet, Mass., Wellfleet Oysterfest pays tribute to the New England town’s famed shellfish tradition. The gathering on Cape Cod is one that the locals look forward to all year long. Feast on oysters and clams, lobster and seafood chowders, while you watch the fastest oyster-shuckers in the world compete in the famous Oyster Shuck-Off. The competition is taken very seriously - controversial rulings have been known to elicit protests from the crowd.

HARVEST ON THE HARBOR

The culinary scene in Portland, Maine, has been receiving much national attention as of late (the town has produced four James Beard Award-winning chefs), and Harvest on the Harbor celebrates all that is best about Maine’s food and wine. This epicurean celebration is held every October, and features the Maine Lobster Chef of the Year competition and Samplings at the Marketplace, which allows travelers to taste the best local food that Maine has to offer as they gaze across Casco Bay.

CUISINES

LOS ANGELES — KOGI BBQ

Kogi BBQ is an L.A. landmark that dishes out delicious Korean BBQ to the fine people of Los Angeles. Kogi offers up kimchi quesadillas, along with other street food fit for a king (but easily afforded by the masses).

CHICAGO — CUPCAKES FOR COURAGE

Chicago is no stranger to the culinary indulgence of food trucks. One of its most popular mobile destinations is Cupcakes for Courage, a food truck that supports cancer research. Don’t let the name fool you, though. Cupcakes are served, but so is a scrumptious array of breakfast foods. The sisters who own this conscious cupcakery even appeared on Cupcake Wars!

ATLANTA — YUMBII

Fusing together Southern cooking and Asian-Mexican flavors, Yumbii has created an entire experience with its gourmet food on wheels. Voted best of Atlanta in Creative Loafing magazine, Yumbii says, “The truck is high energy, inviting, and digital to the core.” I can personally attest to the fact that its fish tacos are mouth-wateringly divine.

NEW YORK — WAFELS AND DINGES

Check Wafels and Dinges off your foodie bucket list when you’re in the Big Apple, because New York natives and tourists alike rave about this Belgian-inspired mobile eatery.

MIAMI — MS. CHEEZIOUS

There are lots of famous food trucks in Miami, but a local favorite is Ms. Cheezious. This truck plates up comfort foods with a twist. One of its most popular items is a Crabby Cheese Melt — grilled cheese, not quite like your mom used to make.

SEATTLE — MARINATION MOBILE

Don’t be fooled into thinking that this rainy city lets the weather stop the food truck movement from being a big hit. Home to some of the most innovative mobile food shops around, one of Seattle’s most popular isMarination Mobile. Serving the streets of Seattle with tacos, sliders, quesadillas, and more, Marination Mobile combines Hawaiian and Korean cuisine for some drool-worthy eats.