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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Janechra (talk | contribs) at 15:16, 16 May 2006 (→Education: but the source says australia(49%), finland, iceland, poland, denmark, norway, uk, ireland, sweden, hungary and japan(35%)? the original claim might be incorrect, mean is 35%.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

This page is about the country United States of America. For other uses, see US (disambiguation), USA (disambiguation), and United States (disambiguation).
United States of America
Motto: 
E pluribus unum (1789 to 1956)
(Latin: "Out of Many, One")
In God We Trust (1956 to present)
Anthem: "The Star-Spangled Banner"
Location of the United States
CapitalWashington, D.C.
Largest cityNew York City
Official languagesNone at federal level;
English de facto
GovernmentFederal Republic
Independence
• Water (%)
4.87
Population
• 2006 estimate
298,745,697 (3rd)
• 2000 census
281,421,906
GDP (PPP)2006 estimate
• Total
$13,049 billion (1st)
• Per capita
$43,555 (3rd)
HDI (2003)0.944
very high (10th)
CurrencyDollar ($) (USD)
Time zoneUTC-5 to -10
• Summer (DST)
UTC-4 to -10
Calling code1
ISO 3166 codeUS
Internet TLD.us .gov .edu .mil .um
1.) Area rank is disputed with China and sometimes is ranked 3rd or 4th.

The United States of America (the U.S., the U.S.A., the States, the United States, or America[1]) is a federal republic in North America. Founded in 1776, it is the oldest extant constitutional republic in the world.[2]

The U.S. originated from thirteen colonies in British North America that declared their independence in 1776. After winning the American War of Independence, it was recognized as the new nation following the Treaty of Paris in 1783. During the 19th and 20th centuries, thirty-seven new states were added as the governance expanded across the North American continent and acquired a number of overseas territories.[3]

Buoyed by victories and as the only major power not devastated in World Wars I and II, and especially after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 following the Cold War, the U.S. emerged as the world's sole superpower[4] or hyperpower.[5] It is a founding member of the United Nations (with a permanent seat on the Security Council), G8, NATO and NAFTA.

History

Main article: History of the United States

Before European colonization in the late 1400s, the current area of the United States was inhabited by Native Americans, who arrived on the continent by crossing the Bering land bridge some time between 50,000 and 11,000 years ago.[6] The first successful English settlement was at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607. Within the following two decades, several Dutch settlements, including New Amsterdam (later New York City), were established; extensive British settlement of the east coast followed.

Tensions between American colonials and the British during the revolutionary period of the 1760s and 1770s led to open military conflict by 1775. George Washington commanded the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) as the Continental Congress, an informal alliance of independent states with their own laws and sovereignty, signed the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776. The Second Continental Congress was given the nominal authority to make decisions regarding the formation and founding of the Continental Army, but did not have the authority to levy taxes or make federal laws. In 1787 the United States Constitution was ratified by the Constitutional Convention to establish a federal union of sovereign states and a federal government to operate it.[7]

National Atlas map (circa 2005) depicting dates of territorial acquisitions.

From 1803 to 1848 the size of the new nation nearly tripled. Even before the Louisiana Purchase, settlers had been pushing beyond their national boundaries, many carrying with them a belief that the republic was destined to expand across the continent.[8] This belief was thwarted somewhat by the stalemate of the War of 1812, but was reinforced by victory in the Mexican-American War in 1848. In the process of its expansion, the U.S. displaced most Native American nations residing in the area.[9] As new territories were being settled and incorporated into the country, a heated debate developed over whether slavery would be allowed to spread.

Union soldiers in the trenches before battle at the Siege of Petersburg, Virginia, 1865. The victory of the Union kept the country unified.

In the mid-19th century, the nation was divided over the issue of states' rights, the role of the federal government, and the expansion of slavery, which led to the American Civil War when, following the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, South Carolina became the first state to declare its secession from the Union.[10] Six other Southern states followed, forming the Confederate States of America early in 1861. At the time, the Northern states were opposed to the expansion of slavery, while the Southern states saw the opposition as an attack on their way of life, since their economy, especially the cotton industry, was so dependent on slave labor. The Civil War effectively ended slavery, as well as the question of whether a state has the right to secede from the country, with a Union victory in 1865. The event is widely accepted as a major turning point in American history, with an increase in power for the federal government.[11]

Landing at Ellis Island, 1902. Immigration helped spur the American economy.

The technological advances made during the Civil War, combined with an unprecedented wave of immigrants who helped to provide labor for American industry and create diverse communities in previously undeveloped areas, hastened the industrial development of the United States and its rise to international power. The country subsequently made many imperialist ventures abroad, including the annexation of Puerto Rico after a victory in the Spanish-American War.[12]

With the start of the First World War in 1914, the United States at first decided to maintain its neutrality, but eventually entered the war against the Central Powers and helped turn the tide of battle. American sympathies, due to historical reasons, were very much in favor of the British and French. However, a sizable number of citizens, mostly Irish and German, were staunchly opposed to intervention. Nonetheless, American involvement in the war brought the country much wealth and prestige, even though much of Europe got laid in ruins. After the war, the United States Senate did not ratify the Treaty of Versailles imposed by its Allies on the defeated Central Powers, which would have consequently pulled the U.S. into European affairs. Instead, the country chose to pursue unilateralism, if not isolationism.[13]

An abandoned farmland in South Dakota during the Great Depression, 1936. The Depression ruined the lives of many people in the United States, and led to the abandonment of laissez-faire policies.

During most of the 1920s, the United States enjoyed a period of unbalanced prosperity as farm prices fell and industrial profits grew. The boom was fueled by a rise in debt and an inflated stock market, which resulted in a crash in 1929, triggering the Great Depression. The nation did not recover until the Second World War, where the United States joined the side of the Allies against the Axis after a surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The ensuing war became the most costly war in American history, but it helped to pull the economy out of depression as it provided much needed jobs both at home and at the front.[14]

The post-war era in the United States was defined internationally by the beginning of the Cold War in the late 1940s, when the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (Soviet Union, USSR) attempted to expand their own global influence, with the U.S. representing democracy and capitalism, and the USSR representing communism and a centrally planned economy. The actions of both sides, however, were checked by each side's massive nuclear arsenal. The result was a series of conflicts, including the Korean War, the massively unpopular Vietnam War, the tense nuclear showdown of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and other proxy wars. Within the United States, the Cold War prompted concerns about communist influences, which created the Red Scare of the 1950s. The space race between the two superpowers resulted in government efforts to encourage greater math and science skills.[15]

Martin Luther King giving the famous "I Have a Dream" speech, 1963. The Civil Rights Movement was of major significance for the U.S.

Meanwhile, urbanization was completed and American society experienced a period of sustained economic expansion. At the same time, discrimination across the United States, especially in the South, was increasingly challenged by a growing civil-rights movement led by such prominent African American as Martin Luther King, Jr.., which led to the abolishment of the Jim Crow laws that legalized racial segregation between whites and blacks in the South.[16]

After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1990, the United States continued to involve itself in military action overseas, such as the Gulf War. Following Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential election, the country experienced the largest peacetime economic expansion in its history, which is primarily attributed to the digital revolution and new business opportunities created by the Internet.[17]

The September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001 made terrorism a major political and security issue.

At the beginning of the new millennium, following the September 11, 2001, attacks, the United States foreign policy became highly concerned with the threat of terrorist attacks. In response, the United States government under George W. Bush began a long series of military, police and legal operations termed the War on Terror. With the support of most of the international community, the armed forces invaded Afghanistan and overthrew the Taliban government, which was considered to be a safe haven for terrorism activities in the Middle East. More controversially, the "War on Terror" continued with the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein government. This second invasion proved relatively unpopular amongst the international community, even amongst long-time American allies such as France and Germany, which resulted in a wave of anti-American sentiment; however, over 30 governments supported the U.S. led invasion of Iraq in what became known as 'the coalition of the willing.'[18]

As of 2006, the political climate remains polarized as debates continue over issues such as the increasing trade deficit, a rising health care cost, illegal immigration, the separation of the church and the state, abortion, free speech, gay rights, as well as the ongoing war in Iraq.[19]

Politics

Main article: [[:Politics of the United States and Federal government of the United States]]
United States Congress in Joint Session. Its members consist of 100 senators and 435 representatives.
The United States Capitol building, serving as the legislative branch of the United States federal government.

The United States is a constitutional republic, meaning that its government is composed of and operates through a set of limited powers imposed by its design and enumerated in the United States Constitution. Specifically, the nation operates as a presidential system, also known as a congressional system. There are three levels of government: federal, state, and local. Each level enjoys certain exclusive powers and obligations, and the precise division of these powers has been a matter of considerable ongoing debate. Officials of each of these levels are either elected by eligible voters via secret ballot or appointed by other elected officials. Almost all electoral offices are decided in "first-past-the-post" elections, where a specific candidate who earns at least a plurality of the vote is elected to office, rather than a party being elected to a seat to which it may then appoint an official.

The relationship between the state and national governments is rather complex due to the country's federal system. Under United States law, states are considered sovereign entities, meaning that the power of the states is considered to come directly from the people within the states rather than from the federal government. However, the American Civil War and Texas v. White established that states do not have the right to secede, and under the Constitution of the United States, they are not allowed to conduct foreign policy. Federal law overrides state law in the areas that the federal government is empowered to act, but the powers of the federal government are subject to limits outlined in the Constitution of the United States. All powers not granted to the federal government in the Constitution are duly appropriated to the states and the people, with the people explicitly retaining unenumerated Constitutional rights and the Federal government retaining the exclusive right to determine any unstated rights when these enter into conflict within the states.

The federal government of the United States is comprised of a Legislative Branch (led by the Congress), an Executive Branch (led by the President), and a Judicial Branch (led by the Supreme Court). These three branches were designed to apply checks and balances on each other. The Constitution limits the powers of the federal government to defense, foreign affairs, the issuing and management of currency, the management of trade and relations between the states, as well as the protection of human rights. All other government powers theoretically repose in the individual states. However, in addition to these explicitly stated powers, the federal government has gradually extended its power into such areas as welfare and education, on the basis of the "Necessary and Proper" and "Commerce" clauses of the Constitution. The constitutionality of this extension of powers has been ruled on by the Supreme Court on numerous occasions, citing the above clauses.

Foreign relations

Main article: Foreign relations of the United States
Presidents Hu Jintao and George W. Bush, with first ladies Liu Yongqing and Laura Bush, wave from the White House. The relationship with the emerging superpower status of China is complex and closely watched by international observers.

The United States has large economic, political and military influence on a global scale, which makes its foreign policy a subject of great interest and discussion around the world. The country has one of the largest diplomatic presences of any nation. Almost every nation has full diplomatic relations with the United States, with embassies in Washington, D.C. and consulates around the country. The nations considered America's closest allies are the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, and Israel.[20] Only a few do not have formal diplomatic relations with the United States, which include Cuba, North Korea, Iran, and Sudan.[21]

During the American Revolution, the United States established relations with several European powers, convincing France, Spain, and the Netherlands to intervene in the war against Britain, a mutual enemy. In the period following, the U.S. oscillated between pro-French and pro-British policies. In general, the U.S. remained aloof from European disputes, focusing on territorial expansion in North America. The Monroe Doctrine was later established to weaken European influence in Latin America and help the U.S. become the dominant influence in the region. However, its expansionist policies led to war with Mexico, and later with Spain. During the American Civil War, the United States accused Britain and France of supporting the Confederate States and trying to control Mexico, but after that, the U.S. was virtually unchallenged in North America.

As American power grew, it began to look at interests farther abroad, particularly in the pursuit of trade. It consequently occupied territories in the Pacific, such as Hawaii and the Philippines, demanded the opening of Japan to trade, and competed with other powers for influence in China. After World War II, the country was a major player in the establishment of the United Nations and became one of five permanent members of the Security Council.

During the Cold War, its foreign policy sought to limit the influence of the Soviet Union around the world. In the effort to contain the Soviets, the U.S. founded NATO, which compels the country to defend against any foreign invasion of any NATO state in North America and Europe. In an example of realpolitik, the U.S. also established diplomatic relations with Communist countries that were antagonistic to the Soviet Union, like the People's Republic of China during the Sino-Soviet split. In recent times, the United States has increased its border securities against illegal immigration and the shipment of illegal narcotics, particularly from Mexico and the Caribbean.[22] The country has also sought to fight terrorism and control the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, but its main goal remains to protect American interest and the safety of its citizens at home and abroad.

There are several territorial disputes, such as the Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and areas around Machias Seal Island and North Rock with Canada, and Wake Island, which is claimed by Marshall Islands. There is also a maritime boundary dispute with the Bahamas.[22]

Military

Main article: Military of the United States
Supercarriers like the USS Nimitz are major component in the U.S.'s system of force projection.

The military of the United States consists of four branches: the Army, the Air Force, and the Navy, which includes the Marine Corps; all are administered by the Department of Defense. The Coast Guard falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security in peacetime, but is placed under the Department of the Navy in times of war.

The combined United States armed forces comprise 1.4 million personnel on active duty,[23] along with several hundred thousand each in the Reserves and the National Guard. Service in the military is voluntary, though conscription may occur in times of war when more troops are needed at the front. The United States military is considered one of the most powerful militaries in the world because it spends a significant amount on traditional-warfare power projection capabilities. American defense expenditure is estimated to be greater than the next twelve largest national military budgets combined. The U.S. currently maintains 702 military bases worldwide on every continent besides Antarctica.[24]

Human rights

Main article: Human rights in the United States
President George W. Bush signing the USA PATRIOT Act in the White House's East Room on October 26, 2001. The Patriot Act is the subject of many debates concerning civil rights in the U.S.

The Constitution of the United States guarantees freedom of speech, religion, the press, the right to a fair trial, the right to keep and bear arms, universal suffrage, and property rights. However, although the United States is generally committed to the Western ideology to pursue human rights, the extent to which these rights are available in practice is debated. Several states maintained slavery until 1865, and various forms of ethnic and other discrimination were not prohibited until the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The effects of this discriminative history are still apparent in the social structure, with housing patterns, harder sentences, employment opportunities, and college admissions all reflecting significant de facto segregation[25]. However, the segregation is fading with a more tolerant culture and many anti-discrimination policies.

In addition to its own territory, the United States has been criticized for questionable policies abroad, such as military operations in developing regions like Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East,[26] as well as for its support of repressive governments and warlords,[27] particularly during the Cold War, when many of these policies were claimed to be targeted against Soviet Union.[28] Currently, criticism faced by the government includes civilian devastation resulted by unprofessional military tactics in Iraq and Afghanistan.[29].

Following the September 11, 2001, attacks and the ensuing War on Terror, the continuation of this debate has surrounded the USA PATRIOT Act, government intervention in free speech, extraordinary detentions and other measures[30], which opponents criticize as unnecessary and see them as a potential danger to traditional civil rights and functional democracy. However, proponents claim they are necessary to preserve the country's security.[31]

See also: Censorship in the United States

Political divisions

Main article: Political divisions of the United States

At the Declaration of Independence, the United States consisted of 13 states (listed as bold). In the following years, this number grew steadily due to expansion to the west, conquest and purchase of lands by the American government, and division of existing states to the current number of 50 U.S. states:

Map of United States with state border lines. [32]

The contiguous part of the U.S. (i.e. without Hawaii and Alaska) is called the continental United States.

The United States also holds several other territories, districts, and possessions, notably the federal district of the District of Columbia, which contains the nation's capital city of Washington, and several overseas insular areas, the most significant of which are American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands. Palmyra Atoll is the United States' only incorporated territory, however it is currently unorganized and uninhabited. In addition, the United States Navy has controlled a small military base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba since 1898. The United States government possesses a lease to this land from Cuba which only mutual agreement or United States abandonment of the area can terminate.

Geography

Main article: Geography of the United States
A satellite composite image of the contiguous U.S. Deciduous vegetation and grasslands prevail in the east, transitioning to prairies, boreal forests, and the Rockies in the west, and deserts in the southwest. In the northeast, the coasts of the Great Lakes and Atlantic seaboard host much of the country's population.
A Florida marshland, in the southeast.
Monument Valley, near the Grand Canyon in the southwest.
Mount Hood, an active volcano in the northwest.

The United States is the world's third largest country by land area,[33] but this is disputed as some sources list the People's Republic of China as larger than the U.S. The disputed ranking stems from ongoing debate over the political status of Taiwan, without which China is smaller than the United States.[34]

The contiguous U.S. is bounded by the North Atlantic Ocean to the east, the North Pacific Ocean to the west, Canada to the north, and Mexico to the south. Alaska is bounded by the Pacific to the south, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and Canada to the east. The island state of Hawaii is situated in the Pacific, southwest of the North American mainland.

The landscape of the United States is extremely varied. In the east, rolling hills and temperate forests prevail, transitioning to prairies, boreal forests, and the relatively young Rocky Mountains in the west, with savanna and desert—including the Grand Canyon—among the more arid landscapes in the southwest. The northwest has the highest concentration of active volcanoes in the U.S. In the south, especially in Florida, subtropical forests and marshlands can be found. In Alaska, prominent mountain ranges rise up sharply from broad, flat tundra plains; numerous volcanoes can be found throughout the Alexander and Aleutian Islands south and west of the Alaskan mainland. Hawaii, a chain of tropical, volcanic islands, is a popular tourist attraction. Other major hydrographic features include the five Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River and seaway in the northeast bordering with Canada. In addition, the Mississippi-Missouri River, which snakes through the central U.S., is the world's fourth longest river system.[35]

The United States is frequently affected by a large variety of natural disasters. A common threat is the tornado, especially in the South, the Great Plains, and other parts of the Midwest. Other problems include tropical cyclones along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts, floods, and earthquakes, particularly in southern Alaska and around California. Droughts too are prevalent, with the worst being the infamous Dust Bowl of the 1930s. Recently, the western U.S. experienced widespread drought from 1999–2004, and signs of a major, long-term drought across the Great Plains have developed.[36]

Economy

Main article: Economy of the United States
Wall Street, in Manhattan, New York City, represents the status of the US as a major global financial power.
A farm near Klingerstown, Pennsylvania. Farming is a major contributor to the American economy.

The economic history of the United States has its roots in the marginally successful colonial economies that progressed to a small, independent farming economy. Over the course of those years, the United States grew into a large industrialized economy, making up approximately a fifth of the world economy.[37]

The economic system of the United States can be described as a capitalist free market-oriented mixed economy, in which corporations and other private firms make the majority of microeconomic decisions and governments prefer to take smaller role in the domestic economy, although the United States government's role is relatively large, at 38% of the GDP. The U.S. has a small social safety net, and regulation faced by business firms in the U.S. is slightly below the average of developed countries[38]. The fiscal policy of the country since the New Deal has followed the general ideals of Keynesian economics, which replaced Classical economics following the Great Depression. Neoliberal ideals have become more prominent since the presidency of Ronald Reagan, due to the growing influence of globalization. Since the early 1980s, the United States has transformed from being a net creditor to having a substantial current account deficit and a national debt which has reached record high levels relative to national GDP since World War II.[39]

Economic activity varies greatly across the country. For example, New York City is the center for financial, publishing, broadcasting, and advertising industries, while Los Angeles is the most important center for film and television production. The San Francisco Bay Area is a major center for technology. The Midwest is known for its reliance on manufacturing and heavy industry, with Detroit serving as the center of the American automotive industry. The Southeast is a major area for medical research, tourism, and the lumber industry.

The largest sector in the United States economy is service, which employs roughly three quarters of the work force.[40] The economy is fueled by an abundance of natural resources, such as coal, petroleum, and precious metals. However, the country still depends upon foreign nations for large amounts of resources, such as petroleum. In agriculture, the country is a top producer of corn, soy beans, rice, and wheat, with the Great Plains labeled as the "breadbasket of the world" for their tremendous agricultural output.[41] The U.S. has a large tourist industry, ranking third in the world,[42] and is also a exporter in goods such as automobiles, airplanes, steel, and electronics. The largest trading partner of the United States is Canada (19%), followed by the People's Republic of China, Mexico, and Japan.[43]

Science and technology

Main article: Science and technology in the United States
Buzz Aldrin poses for Neil Armstrong on the moon, 1969, during the Apollo 11 mission.

The United States is an influential country in scientific and technological research and the production of innovative technological products. During World War II, the U.S. was the first to develop the atomic bomb, ushering in the atomic age. Since the country was relatively undamaged by the war, it was able to revive scientific and technological progress in a short time. During the beginnings of the Cold War, the U.S. began emulating Soviet successes in space science and technology, leading to a space race between the two nations. Two-way demonstrations of technological might were a prominent feature in the race, which led to rapid advances in rocketry, weaponry, material science, computers, and many other areas, culminating the first visit of a man to the moon, when Neil Armstrong stepped off of Apollo 11 in July 1969.[44]

In the sciences, United States has a large share of Nobel Prizes, especially in the fields of physiology and medicine. The National Institutes of Health, focal point for biomedical research in the United States, has contributed to international projects such as Human Genome Project.[45]

The main governmental organization for aviation and space research is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Many corporations also play an important role, such as Boeing or Lockheed Martin.

Transportation

Main article: Transportation in the United States
The United States has a sophisticated and well maintained road network, as seen in this picture of Interstate 80, near Berkeley, California

The automobile industry took off very early in the United States in comparison with other countries, so much of the transportation development in the country has been centered around the construction of a network of high-capacity highways. From data taken in 2004, there are about 6,407,637 kilometers (3,981,521 mi) of roadways in the U.S., the most in the world.[46]

Despite the popularity of cars, mass transit systems are also available in large cities, such as New York, which operates one of the busiest subway systems in the world. However, in comparison to Japan and Europe, the United States has an underdeveloped rail network, lacking high-speed rail links connecting major cities.

Air travel is the preferred means of travel for long distances. There are also several major seaports in the United States, with the three busiest being the Port of Los Angeles, the Port of Long Beach, and the Port of New York and New Jersey.

Demographics

Main article: [[:Demographics of the United States and Racial demographics of the United States]]

As of July 2006, there are an estimated 298,444,215 people in United States. The population growth rate for 2006 is 0.59%.[47] According to the 2000 census, the country has 31 ethnic groups with at least one million members each, and numerous others represented in smaller amounts. The largest ethnic group is white, which includes people of European, North African, and Middle Eastern descent, make up 81.7% of the population. Others include black (12.9%), Asian (4.2%), Amerindian and Alaska native (1%), and native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander (0.2%).[47] A separate listing for Hispanic is not included because the U.S. Census Bureau considers Hispanic to mean a person of Latin American descent (including persons of Cuban, Mexican, or Puerto Rican origin) living in the U.S. who may be of any race or ethnic group (white, black, Asian, etc.)

Language

Main article: Languages in the United States

Although the U.S. has no official language, it is largely monolingual with English being the de facto official language, which is spoken by about 82 percent of the population as a native language and nearly everyone as a daily language. There have been moves in the past to make English the official language, but so far, this has been a minor political issue. Even though English is not the official language, knowledge of it is required to become a naturalized citizen. Several states recognize English as an official language, and three states recognize other languages along with English - French in Louisiana, Hawaiian in Hawaii, and Spanish in New Mexico. Spanish, the second most widely used language in the U.S., is spoken by approximately 10.7 percent of the population. Widely spoken languages also include other Indo-European (3.8%), Asian and Pacific island (2.7%), and just other (0.7%).[47] In total, approximately 336 languages are used by the population.[48]

Education

Main article: Education in the United States
America's 19 World Heritage Sites include Thomas Jefferson's home at Monticello and the University of Virginia (original library, designed by Jefferson, shown above), one of highly regarded public universities supported by taxpayers at the state, rather than federal, level of government.

The country has a low literacy rate as compared to other developed countries, with a reading literacy rate at 86-98% of the population over age 15.[49] The country ranks below average in science and mathematics understanding.[50] The poor performance has pushed public and private efforts such as No Child Left Behind Act. The ratio 33% of college-educated adults entering the workforce to general population is slightly below the mean 35% of developed countries.[51] Rate of participation of the labour force in continuing education is high.[52]

Education in the country is a state or local, not federal, responsibility, which make the laws and standards vary considerably. However, the Department of Education of the federal government exerts some influence through its ability to control funding. In most states, students are generally obliged to attend mandatory schooling in public schools starting with kindergarten, and ending with the 12th grade, which is normally completed at age 18, but many states may allow students to drop out at the age of 16. Besides public schools, parents may also choose to educate their own children at home or to send their children to parochial or private schools.

Sports at Jesuit College Preparatory School. Popularity of religious education and role of college sports are some distinct features of the education in United States.

After high school, students may choose to attend universities, either public or private. Public universities receive funding from the federal and state governments, as well as other sources, but students still have to pay tuition. The amount paid varies depending on the university or the state of residence, and students have to pay more if they want to attend a public university outside their state. Tuition at private universities is generally much higher than at public universities. After graduation, many high-school students join the workforce, including the military, instead of moving immediately to post-secondary education.

There are many competitive institutions of higher education in the United States. The universities regarded as the country's best include both private and public universities. According to one list, the United States has total 168 universities in the world's top 500[53] There are also many smaller universities and liberal arts colleges, and local community colleges of varying quality across the country with open admission policies. The country attracts less international students than most developed countries.[54]

Religion

Main article: Religion in the United States
A picture of Pisgah Baptist Church in Four Oaks, North Carolina. The United States is overwhelmingly Christian, particularly in the Bible Belt, and hosts many religious movements such as Baptist churches. However, the percentage of Americans who identify as Christian is in decline, having fallen from 88% in 1990 to 79% by 2001.

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution explicitly forbids the establishment of religion by the government or restrictions on the freedom of religious expression, and the Supreme Court has held up what is called the rule of separation of church and state. However, in practice, many elected representatives make decisions on religious basis. Examples of the prevalence of religion in the U.S. are local laws forbidding the selling of alcoholic beverages on Sundays.

The United States is overwhelmingly Christian with Protestant denominations making up the majority at 52%, followed by Roman Catholics (24%), Mormon (1%), Jewish (1%), Muslim (1%), other (10%), and none (variously estimated at from 10% to 15%).[47] The country is also noteworthy for its relatively high level of religiosity among developed nations. About 38% of Americans say they attend religious services at least once a week,[55] and 53% of Americans consider religion to be very important in their lives, as compared to 16% in Britain, 14% in France, and 13% in Germany.[56] However, this rate is not uniform across the country as regular attendance is more common in the Bible Belt, composed largely of Southern and Midwestern states, than in the Northeast or the West Coast.[57]

In the South, Baptists constitute the largest group, followed by Methodists.[58] Roman Catholicism is predominant in the Northeast, the Southwest, and in large parts of the Midwest.[59] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or the Mormon Church, is the predominant religion in the state of Utah, with significant populations in other parts of the country as well.[60]

Public health

Main article: Health care in the United States

The United States has a health-care system which is ranked 37th by the World Health Organization (WHO), far below the average of developed nations.[61] While the United States performs poorly at delivering health care, the country spends noteworthily on research. For example, research done at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has contributed to a sharp decrease in mortality from heart disease, the number-one killer in the United States, which dropped 41 percent between 1971 and 1991.[62] The death rate for strokes decreased by 59 percent during the same period.[63] Between 1991 and 1995, the death rate for cancer fell by nearly three percent, the first sustained decline since national record-keeping began in the 1930s.[64] And today more than 70 percent of children who get cancer are cured.[65] In 1964, when the US surgeon general first warned Americans about the dangers of smoking, the percentage who smoke has declined from almost 50 percent to approximately 25 percent.[62] Smoking is no longer permitted in most public buildings or on trains, buses, and airplanes. Also, most American restaurants are divided into areas where smoking is permitted and those where it is not. Studies have also linked a significant drop in the rate of lung cancer to a nationwide decline in cigarette smoking.[62] Like most countries, the federal government also encourages Americans to exercise regularly and to eat healthily, including large quantities of fruits and vegetables, which contributed to a per capita increase in fruit consumption of about 20 percent since 1970. Now, more than 40 percent of Americans exercise or play a sport as part of their regular routine.[62]

Health level in the United States is ranked 72nd in the world by WHO[66], worse than China and comparable to Iraq. The survival rate for newborn babies ranks near the bottom among developed nations, at nearly 5 per 1,000 babies. Only Latvia has a higher infant mortality rate at 6 per 1,000.[67] Many public health problems include obesity: a third of Americans are overweight, and another third are obese. The problem of obesity is estimated to cost tens of billions U.S. dollars every year[68]. Despite a sharp decrease in smoking, there are still millions of cigarette smokers. HIV-AIDS is also a problem, which has affected about 950,000 people as of 2003.[47] While a portion of the population has access to advanced treatments, a notably high amount of people in the U.S. suffer from lack of proper healthcare. Unlike most Western governments, the U.S. government does not guarantee publicly-funded health care to its citizens. Several proposals have been made but fail to gain support among lawmakers, despite widespread majority support. In contrast to the poor performance government spending on health care is the highest of any country in the world, and is consequently regarded as massively inefficient. Major programs include Medicare and Medicaid. Private charities also play a huge role in providing health care. Since the 1980s, Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) coverage has increased as a means of controlling costs, however, critics charge that their decisions are made as a way to save money.[69] Health insurance in the United States is traditionally a benefit of employment, which is mandated by law in many cases. Also by law, emergency care facilities are required to provide service regardless of the patient's ability to pay. However, medical bills are overwhelmingly the most common reason for personal bankruptcy in the United States.[70]

Largest cities

The United States has dozens of major cities, which play an important role in U.S. culture, heritage, and economy. In 2004, 251 incorporated places had populations of at least 100,000, including 11 of the world's 55 global cities. In the table below are the ten most populous cities, according to U.S. Census Bureau 2004 estimates.[71]; the ten most populous metropolitan areas; and all 11 global cities.

New York
Los Angeles
File:Chitown jc01.jpg
Chicago
Philadelphia
File:Dallas-Reunion.JPG
Dallas
Miami
City Metro-area
population 		City-proper population Region Global city Economic importance
Rank Millions Rank 2004 estimate per
sq mi 		per
km² 		points group
New York City, New York 1 18.7 1 8,104,079 26,403 10,194 Northeast 12 alpha seaport, finance, media
Los Angeles, California 2 12.9 2 3,845,541 7,877 3,041 West 10 alpha seaport, media center
Chicago, Illinois 3 9.4 3 2,862,244 12,750 4,923 Midwest 10 alpha lakeport, transportation hub
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 4 5.8 5 1,470,151 11,234 4,337 Northeast 3 seaport, historic center
Dallas, Texas 5 5.7 9 1,210,393 3,470 1,340 South 6 gamma telecom & oil industries
Miami, Florida 6 5.4 47 382,894 10,734 4,144 Southeast 4 gamma seaport, resort area
Houston, Texas 7 5.2 4 2,012,626 3,372 1,302 South 6 gamma seaport, oil industry
Washington, D.C. 8 5.1 27 553,523 9,017 3,481 East 6 gamma national capital
Atlanta, Georgia 9 4.7 43 419,122 3,161 1,220 Southeast 4 gamma
Detroit, Michigan 10 4.5 11 900,198 6,856 2,647 Midwest 2 auto industry, music
Boston, Massachusetts 11 4.4 24 569,165 12,166 4,697 Northeast 6 gamma seaport, historic center
San Francisco, California 12 4.2 14 744,230 16,090 6,212 West 9 beta seaport, tourism
Phoenix, Arizona 14 3.7 6 1,418,041 2,782 1,074 West
Minneapolis, Minnesota 16 3.0 49 373,943 6,970 2,691 Upper Midwest 4 gamma
San Diego, California 17 2.9 7 1,263,756 3,772 1,456 West seaport
San Antonio, Texas 29 1.8 8 1,236,249 2,809 1,085 South
San Jose, California 30 1.7 10 904,522 5,118 1,976 West Silicon Valley

Population migration and growth

2000 Population Density Map

The mean center of the U.S. population continues to drift farther west and south. Between 1990 and 2000, 19 of the 20 fastest-growing states were in the West and the South.[72]

The majority of Americans descend from European immigrants who arrived after either the establishment of the first English colonies or the Reconstruction period in 1863–1877. This majority is expected to be reduced to only a plurality by 2050. The largest ethnic group of European ancestry is German at 15.2 percent, followed by Irish (10.8%), English (8.7%), Italian (5.6%) and Scandinavian (3.7%). Many immigrants also hail from Slavic countries, such as Poland and Russia, as well as from French Canada.[73] African Americans, or Blacks, first arrived as slaves from Africa, particularly throughout the colonial period in 1690-1808. In the early years, most of the African American population was concentrated in the South; but, today, it is spread throughout the country, with concentration in the cores of major urban centers if the North. Indigenous peoples in the United States, such as Native Americans and Inuit, make up only a very small percentage of the total population, with about 35% of them living on reservations.[74]

Current major demographic trends include the mass immigration of Latin Americans, called Hispanics, into the Southwest, which is home to about 60 percent of the 35 million Hispanics in the country. Immigrants from Mexico, who make up about 66 percent of the Hispanic community,[75] are second only to the German-descent population in the single-race category. The Hispanic population, which is growing at an annual rate of about 58 percent since the 1990s, is expected to increase significantly in the coming decades.[76] Most Asian Americans, including Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, are concentrated on the West Coast and Hawaii,[77] with a growing concentration in the New York City metropolitan area, as well as the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. The largest groups are from the Philippines, China, India, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan. The Asian American population is increasing at an annual rate of about 52 percent since the 1990s.[78]

Culture

Main article: Culture of the United States
American cultural icons, such as apple pie, baseball, and the American flag.
A tackle made at Pro Bowl in 2006. American football is one of the most popular spectator sports in the United States.

Due to immigration in the United States history, the local culture has been a melting pot of different cultures around the world. This is apparent in areas such as American cuisine, where Native American ingredients like turkey, potatoes, corn, and squash have become integral parts of American culture. Such popular icons as apple pies, pizza, and hamburgers are all either identical to, or derived from, European dishes. Burritos and tacos similarly have their origins in Mexico. However, many of the food items now enjoyed worldwide either originated in the United States or were substantially altered by American chefs. The music in the United States also traces to the country's multicultural population through a diverse array of styles. Rock and roll, hip hop, country, blues, and jazz are among the country's most internationally renowned genres. Since the beginning of the 20th century, popular recorded music from the United States has become increasingly known across the world, to the point where some forms of American popular music are listened to almost everywhere.[79]

However, not all American culture is derived from some other form found elsewhere in the world. For example, the birth of cinema, as well as its radical development, can largely be traced back to the United States. In the early 20th century, the first recorded instance of photographs capturing and reproducing motion was Eadweard Muybridge's series of photographs of a running horse, which he captured in Palo Alto, California, using a set of still cameras placed in a row. Since then, the American film industry has had a profound effect on cinema across the world. Others areas of development include the comic book and Disney's animated cartoons, which saw widespread popularity and influence, especially in Japanese anime and manga, and Chinese animation and manhua.

Although the United States is predominantly a sedentary society with the majority of the population having little or no leisure-time physical activity[80], watching sports is a national pastime with many fans. Professional sports in the U.S. is very big business and its athletes are well compensated. The majority of the world's highest paid athletes play team sports in the United States.[81] The "Big Four" include baseball, American football, Ice hockey, and basketball. Other popular sports include auto racing. Lacrosse, originally played by some of the indigenous tribes, is a visible sport and growing. Football (soccer) is a popular participatory sport, especially among children, but as a spectator sport it does not yet have a large following in contrast to its extreme popularity in other countries. The country is among the most influential regions in shaping three popular board-based recreational sports—surfboarding, skateboarding, and snowboarding, which have many competitions and a large dedicated subculture. Eight Olympic Games have been hosted in the United States. The U.S. generally fares very well in them, especially the Summer Olympics—for instance, in the 2004 Olympics, the U.S. topped the medals table with a record 103 medals (35 gold, 39 silver and 29 bronze).[82]

See also: Arts and entertainment in the United States, Media of the United States, Dance of the United States, Architecture of the United States, Holidays of the United States, and Lists of Americans

See also

Main article: List of United States-related topics

References

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Further reading

  • Johnson, Paul M. A History of the American People. 1104 pages. Harper Perennial: March 1, 1999. ISBN 0060930349.
  • Litwak, Robert S. Rogue States and U.S. Foreign Policy : Containment after the Cold War. 300 pages. Woodrow Wilson Center Press: February 1, 2000. ISBN 0943875978.
  • Nye, Joseph S. The Paradox of American Power : Why the World's Only Superpower Can't Go It Alone. 240 pages. Oxford University Press, USA; New Ed edition: May 1, 2003. ISBN 0195161106.
  • Susser, Ida (Editor), and Patterson, Thomas C. (Editor). Cultural Diversity in the United States: A Critical Reader. 476 pages. Blackwell Publishers: December 2000. ISBN 0631222138.
  • Whalen, Edward. The United States Of Europe: The New Superpower and the End of American Supremacy. 320 pages. The Penguin Press HC: November 4, 2004. ISBN 1594200335.
  • Pierson, Paul. Politics in Time : History, Institutions, and Social Analysis. 208 pages. Princeton University Press: August 9, 2004. ISBN 0691117152.

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