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The '''United States''', officially the '''United States of America''', is a country in northern [[North America]]. Its [[Contiguous United States|contiguous territory]] is bordered in the north by [[Canada]], in the south by [[Mexico]], in the west by the [[Pacific Ocean]], and in the east by the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. Its non-contiguous territory extends the [[Borders of the United States|country's borders]] worldwide. At {{convert|9.83|sqkm|abbr=off|sigfig=1|disp=flip}} in size, the U.S. is the [[List of countries and dependencies by area|fourth-largest country by total area]].
The '''United States''', officially the '''United States of America''', is a country in northern [[North America]]. Its [[Contiguous United States|contiguous territory]] is bordered in the north by [[Canada]], in the south by [[Mexico]], in the west by the [[Pacific Ocean]], and in the east by the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. Its non-contiguous territory extends the [[Borders of the United States|country's borders]] worldwide. At {{convert|9.83|sqkm|abbr=off|sigfig=1|disp=flip}} in size, the U.S. is the [[List of countries and dependencies by area|fourth-largest country by total area]].


America's mainland was first settled by [[Paleo-Indians]] around 15,000 years ago; over time, they formed complex [[Native Americans in the United States|native societies and civilizations]]. Europeans [[European colonization of the Americas|colonized the region]] beginning in the 16th century and, by the 18th century, [[Great Britain]] controlled vast territory on North America, including [[Thirteen Colonies]] in the Atlantic coast. After a series of protests over taxes, these colonies united in 1776 to [[American Revolution|declare their independence]], which they achieved in 1783. The United States developed into a major [[regional power]] in the [[Western Hemisphere]], undergoing a [[United States territorial acquisitions|major territorial expansion]] under the doctrine of [[manifest destiny]]. The territorial integrity of the state was consolidated following a [[American Civil War|civil war]], and the U.S. thereafter entered a [[Gilded Age]] of increasing industrialization, immigration, and social reform. In the twentieth century, the country's leading role in [[World wars#World wars of the 20th century|two world wars]] confirmed its status as a global [[superpower]] and a [[Permanent members of the United Nations Security Council|permanent member]] of the [[United Nations Security Council]]. After the end of a decades-long [[Cold War]] with the [[Soviet Union]], the United States became the world's foremost economic, military, and technological power.
America's mainland was settled by [[Paleo-Indians]] around 15,000 years ago; over the course of millennia, they developed [[Native Americans in the United States|complex societies and civilizations]]. Europeans [[European colonization of the Americas|colonized the continent]] beginning in the 16th century and, by the 18th century, [[Great Britain]] controlled vast areas of North America, including [[Thirteen Colonies]] in the Atlantic coast. After a series of protests over taxes, these colonies united to [[United States Declaration of Independence|declare their independence]] in 1776, which they [[American Revolution|achieved in 1783]]. In the decades that followed, the United States became a [[regional power]] in the [[Western Hemisphere]], undergoing a major territorial expansion under the doctrine of [[manifest destiny]]. The territorial integrity of the state was consolidated following a [[American Civil War|civil war]] over the issue of slavery , and the U.S. thereafter entered a [[Gilded Age]] of increasing industrialization, immigration, and social reform. In the twentieth century, the country's leading role in [[World wars#World wars of the 20th century|two world wars]] confirmed its status as a global [[superpower]] and a [[Permanent members of the United Nations Security Council|permanent member]] of the [[United Nations Security Council]]. After the end of a decades-long [[Cold War]] with the [[Soviet Union]], the United States became the world's foremost economic, military, and technological power.


The United States is a [[federal republic]] divided into 50 [[U.S. state|states]], 16 [[United States territory|territories]], a [[Federal district (United States)|federal district]], and various overseas [[Territories of the United States#Extraterritorial jurisdiction|extraterritorial jurisdictions]]. Its diverse geography include the vast [[Interior Plains]], arctic [[Alaska]], tropical [[Hawaii]], the valleys of its [[Appalachian highlands]], and the arid deserts of its [[Southwestern United States|Southwest]] region. It is a [[developed country]] with a very high Human Development Index. Its national economy is the world's largest, and it is fueled by an abundance of natural resources, a well-developed infrastructure, and a large manufacturing sector.
The United States is a [[federal republic]] divided into 50 [[U.S. state|states]], 16 [[United States territory|territories]], a [[Federal district (United States)|federal district]], and various overseas [[Territories of the United States#Extraterritorial jurisdiction|extraterritorial jurisdictions]]. Its diverse geography include the vast [[Interior Plains]], arctic [[Alaska]], tropical [[Hawaii]], the valleys of its [[Appalachian highlands]], and the arid deserts of its [[Southwestern United States|Southwest]] region. It is a [[developed country]] with a very high Human Development Index. Its national economy is the world's largest, and it is fueled by an abundance of natural resources, a well-developed infrastructure, and a large manufacturing sector.

Revision as of 17:30, 7 July 2014

For other uses of "US", "USA", and "United States", see US (disambiguation), USA (disambiguation), and United States (disambiguation).
United States of America
Great Seal of United States
Great Seal
Motto: 
"E pluribus unum" (Latin) (traditional)
"Out of many, one"
Anthem: "The Star-Spangled Banner"
Projection of North America with the United States in green
CapitalWashington, D.C.
Largest cityNew York City
Official languagesNone at federal level[a]
National languageAmerican English[b]
Demonym(s)American
GovernmentFederal presidential constitutional republic
• President
Barack Obama (D)
Joe Biden (D)
John Boehner (R)
John Roberts
LegislatureCongress
• Upper house
Senate
• Lower house
House of Representatives
Independence 
from Great Britain
• Declared
July 4, 1776
September 3, 1783
June 21, 1788
Area
• Total
9,826,675 km2 (3,794,100 sq mi)[4][c] (3rd/4th)
• Water (%)
6.76
Population
• 2013 estimate
336,585,000[5] (3rd)
• Density
34.2/km2 (88.6/sq mi) (179th)
GDP (PPP)2013 estimate
• Total
$16.724 trillion[6] (1st)
• Per capita
$52,839[6] (6th)
GDP (nominal)2013 estimate
• Total
$16.724 trillion[6] (1st)
• Per capita
$52,839[6] (9th)
Gini (2011)47.7[7]
high (39th (2009))
HDI (2013)Increase 0.937[8]
very high (3rd)
Currency[[]] ($) (USD)
Time zoneUTC−5 to −10
• Summer (DST)
UTC−4 to −10[e]
Driving sideright[g]
Calling code+1
ISO 3166 codeUS
Internet TLD.us   .gov   .mil   .edu
  1. ^ English is the official language of at least 28 states; some sources give higher figures, based on differing definitions of "official".[9] English and Hawaiian are both official languages in the state of Hawaii.
  2. ^ English is the de facto language of American government and the sole language spoken at home by 80 percent of Americans aged five and older. Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language.
  3. ^ Whether the United States or China is larger has been disputed. The figure given is from the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency's The World Factbook. Other sources give smaller figures. All authoritative calculations of the country's size include only the 50 states and the District of Columbia, not the territories.
  4. ^ The population estimate is of people whose usual residence is within the 50 states and the District of Columbia, regardless of nationality. It does not include those living in the territories (over 4 million people, mostly in Puerto Rico).
  5. ^ See Time in the United States for details about laws governing time zones in the United States.
  6. ^ Does not include insular areas and United States Minor Outlying Islands, which have their own ISO 3166 codes.
  7. ^ Except U.S. Virgin Islands.

The United States, officially the United States of America, is a country in northern North America. Its contiguous territory is bordered in the north by Canada, in the south by Mexico, in the west by the Pacific Ocean, and in the east by the Atlantic Ocean. Its non-contiguous territory extends the country's borders worldwide. At 4 square miles (9.83 square kilometres) in size, the U.S. is the fourth-largest country by total area.

America's mainland was settled by Paleo-Indians around 15,000 years ago; over the course of millennia, they developed complex societies and civilizations. Europeans colonized the continent beginning in the 16th century and, by the 18th century, Great Britain controlled vast areas of North America, including Thirteen Colonies in the Atlantic coast. After a series of protests over taxes, these colonies united to declare their independence in 1776, which they achieved in 1783. In the decades that followed, the United States became a regional power in the Western Hemisphere, undergoing a major territorial expansion under the doctrine of manifest destiny. The territorial integrity of the state was consolidated following a civil war over the issue of slavery , and the U.S. thereafter entered a Gilded Age of increasing industrialization, immigration, and social reform. In the twentieth century, the country's leading role in two world wars confirmed its status as a global superpower and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. After the end of a decades-long Cold War with the Soviet Union, the United States became the world's foremost economic, military, and technological power.

The United States is a federal republic divided into 50 states, 16 territories, a federal district, and various overseas extraterritorial jurisdictions. Its diverse geography include the vast Interior Plains, arctic Alaska, tropical Hawaii, the valleys of its Appalachian highlands, and the arid deserts of its Southwest region. It is a developed country with a very high Human Development Index. Its national economy is the world's largest, and it is fueled by an abundance of natural resources, a well-developed infrastructure, and a large manufacturing sector.

The U.S. population, estimated at 316 million, is the third largest in the world. Americans are multiethnic and multicultural, the product of over two centuries of large-scale immigration. The main spoken language is English, and a significant number of the nation's inhabitants also speak Spanish. At the forefront of its national identity, the U.S. has traditionally upheld the ideals of freedom, democracy, and opportunity.

Etymology

See also: Names for United States citizens

History

Main articles: History of the United States and Timeline of United States history

Prehistory

Native American and European contact

The Treaty of Penn with the Indians

13 Colonies & French/Indian War

Independence & Constitution

Will edit this in a little bit.

Expansion & Monroe Doctrine

Civil War & Reconstruction

Largest ancestry groups by county, 2000

Gilded Age & Spanish-American War

WW I, Roaring 20s, Depression

Largest ancestry groups by county, 2000

New Deal, World Wars

Cold War Era & Space Race

Largest ancestry groups by county, 2000

Modern Era

Government

Main articles: Federal government of the United States, state governments of the United States, and elections in the United States
Largest ancestry groups by county, 2000
Largest ancestry groups by county, 2000

States and territories

Main articles: Political divisions of the United States, U.S. state, Territories of the United States, and List of states and territories of the United States
Further information: Territorial evolution of the United States and United States territorial acquisitions
AlabamaAlaskaAmerican SamoaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaGuamHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaNorthern Mariana IslandsOhioOklahomaOregonPuerto RicoPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUnited States Virgin IslandsUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingDelawareMarylandNew HampshireNew JerseyMassachusettsConnecticutDistrict of ColumbiaWest VirginiaPuerto RicoUnited States Virgin IslandsGuamNorthern Mariana IslandsAmerican SamoaVermontRhode Island

Geography

Main articles: Geography of the United States, Climate of the United States, and Environment of the United States
Red cartouche
The Kennedy Space Center in Florida helped the U.S. explore outer space.
Red cartouche
The Kennedy Space Center in Florida helped the U.S. explore outer space.
Red cartouche
The Kennedy Space Center in Florida helped the U.S. explore outer space.

Biodiversity

Yellow cartouche
U.S. Capitol seats the Congress: the Senate, left; the House, right
Red cartouche
The White House used by the U.S. President

Economy

Main article: Economy of the United States
Red cartouche
The Kennedy Space Center in Florida helped the U.S. explore outer space.
Red cartouche
The Kennedy Space Center in Florida helped the U.S. explore outer space.

Science and technology

Main article: Science and technology in the United States
Yellow cartouche
The Texas Medical Center in Houston is the world's largest medical center.
Red cartouche
The Kennedy Space Center in Florida helped the U.S. explore outer space.

Demographics

Main articles: Demographics of the United States, Americans, and List of United States cities by population
Largest ancestry groups by county, 2000
Largest ancestry groups by county, 2000

Culture

Main article: Culture of the United States
The Statue of Liberty in New York City is a symbol of the United States and its ideals of freedom, democracy, and opportunity.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ 36 U.S.C. § 302 National motto
  2. ^ Simonson, 2010
  3. ^ Dept. of Treasury, 2011
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference WF was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "U.S. POPClock Projection". U.S. Census Bureau. (figure updated automatically).
  6. ^ a b c d "World Economic Outlook Database: United States". International Monetary Fund. 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  7. ^ "Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2011". Newsroom. United States Census Bureau. September 12, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  8. ^ "Human Development Report 2013" (PDF). United Nations Development Programme. March 14, 2013. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference ILW was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ "Ecological Footprint Atlas 2010" (PDF). Global Footprint Network. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  11. ^ "Statue of Liberty". World Heritage. UNESCO. Retrieved October 20, 2011.

Bibliography

Further reading

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:MarshalN20/Sandbox4&diff=prev&oldid=615973957

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