| The United States of America is a constitutional | | | | parks and a thriving cultural scene; the USA has it all, |
| federal republic, situated primarily in North America. It | | | | plus some. |
| comprises 50 states and one federal district, and has | | | | Before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in North |
| several territories with differing degrees of affiliation. | | | | America in 1492, the continent was inhabited by |
| It is also referred to, with varying formality, as the | | | | peoples thought to have been descended from |
| United States, the US, the USA, the US of A, | | | | nomadic Mongolian tribes who had travelled across |
| America, the States, or Columbia. | | | | the Barents Sea. The first wave of European |
| Mickey Mouse, Miami Vice, Sleepless in Seattle thanks | | | | settlers, mainly English, French and Dutch, crossed the |
| to cinema and TV we all have impressions of the | | | | Atlantic in the 17th century and colonised the Eastern |
| United States of America. Yet nothing can prepare | | | | Seaboard. The restrictions on political rights and the |
| you for your first glimpse of Manhattans | | | | punitive taxation which the British government |
| unforgettable skyline, your first ride in a yellow cab, | | | | imposed on the American colonists led to the |
| the ubiquitous hamburger joints, the vast expanses | | | | American War of Independence, with the Declaration |
| of prairie, the sweet strains of New Orleans jazz or | | | | of Independence being signed in 1776. The outcome |
| the neon lit excesses of Las Vegas. | | | | was a humiliating defeat for the English King, George |
| The USA is a huge country to explore, with 50 | | | | III. The American Constitution born of this victory |
| states to choose from, flanked by two oceans and | | | | has been imitated by many other countries. |
| covering an incredibly varied terrain. For five | | | | The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre and |
| centuries, since the New World discoveries of | | | | the Pentagon on 11 September 2001, which claimed |
| Christopher Columbus, people from every corner of | | | | over 3,000 lives, made for a defining moment in |
| the globe have come here in search of the American | | | | American history. The impact on the American people |
| Dream. Between them, they have created the | | | | and its body politic was immense. The country |
| richest, most powerful country on earth, and a | | | | demanded action, and President George W Bush |
| fascinating melting pot of cultures and traditions. | | | | immediately launched a war on terror. |
| Vast plains, mountain ranges, deserts, soaring | | | | The climate is hot in the summer and cold in the |
| skyscrapers, stunning coastlines, impressive national | | | | winter. |