History

Before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in North America in 1492, the continent was inhabited by peoples thought to have been descended from nomadic Mongolian tribes. The first wave of European settlers, mainly English, French and Dutch, crossed the Atlantic in the 17th century and colonised the Eastern Seaboard. The restrictions on political rights and the punitive taxation which the British government imposed on the American colonists led to the American War of Independence (1775–1783), with the Declaration of Independence signed in 1776.

A period of settlement, purchases from the French and Spanish, and annexation of Indian and Mexican lands followed. By 1853, the boundaries of the United States were, with the exception of Alaska andHawaii, as they are today. Economic activity in the southern States centred on plantation agriculture dependent on slavery. Attempts to end slavery were fiercely opposed. The election of Lincoln to the presidency in 1861 precipitated a political crisis in which seven southern States (joined later by three others) seceded from the Union, leading to the American Civil War. The more powerful and better equipped Union forces prevailed over the rebel Confederacy after four years of fighting.

Reference from www.worldtravelguide.net/united-states-america/history-language-culture

The national flag 

The U.S. flag has undergone many changes since the first official flag of 1777. On June 14, 1777 , the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act, which said that the flag would be made up of thirteen alternating red and white stripes and thirteen white stars on a blue field. Stars have been added to the flag as new states join the union. Currently, the flag contains 50 stars.

White: Signifies purity and innocence

Red: Signifies valor and bravery

Blue: Signifies Vigilance, perseverance, and justice

There are 50 stars representing the 50 states and there are 13 stripes representing the 13 original states.

Flag: thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small white five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; known as Old Glory; the design and colors have been the basis for a number of other flags including Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico.

Reference from www.usconsulate.org.hk/pas/kids/americans1.htm

The capital city 

Washington, D.C., is the capital city of the United States, located between Virginia and Maryland on the north bank of the Potomac River. The city is home to all three branches of the federal government, as well as the White House, the Supreme Court and the Capitol Building. More than 500,000 people live in Washington, D.C.

The city of Washington was named for George Washington (who picked the location), while the District of Columbia was named for explorer Christopher Columbus.

Reference from www.history.com/topics/us-states/washington-dc 

The population 

As of 1 January 2016, the population of United States of America (USA) was estimated to be 323,025,335 people. This is an increase of 0.75 % (2,414,202 people) compared to population of 320,611,133 the year before. In 2015 the natural increase was positive, as the number of births exceeded the number of deaths by 1,397,865. Due to external migration, the population increased by 1,016,337. The sex ratio of the total population was 0.975 (975 males per 1,000 females) which is lower than global sex ratio. The global sex ratio in the world was approximately 1,016 males to 1,000 females as of 2015. See also map of the world by sex ratio of total population.

Below are the key figures for United States of America (USA) population in 2015:

4,039,700 live births

2,641,836 deaths

Natural increase: 1,397,865 people

Net migration: 1,016,337 people

159,469,031 males as of 31 December 2015

163,556,304 females as of 31 December 2015

Reference from countrymeters.info/en/United_States_of_America_(USA) 

The religion 

PRINCETON, NJ -- The large majority of Americans -- 77% of the adult population -- identify with a Christian religion, including 52% who are Protestants or some other non-Catholic Christian religion, 23% who are Catholic, and 2% who affiliate with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Another 18% of Americans do not have an explicit religious identity and 5% identify with a non-Christian religion.

This breakdown is essentially the same as it was in 2011. Compared with last year, Protestant and Catholic identification dropped.

The 2012 findings on the breakdown of religious identification in the American population are based on more than 326,000 Gallup Daily tracking interviews conducted between Jan. 2 and Nov. 30. (Frank Newport)

Reference from www.gallup.com/poll/159548/identify-christian.aspx

The language

Although the country has no official language, English is the most commonly spoken language within the United States, and the explanation for this is very simple. America, before gaining its independence, was a British colony. The country therefore inherited much of its culture as well as language from the British. A majority of the country’s population has British ancestry which, along with other factors, has contributed to English standing strong within American language and culture. English is used in official platforms across most states, and almost the entirety of the population has basic knowledge regarding English language usage. Still, other languages are gaining traction as being frequently used within America’s borders, and we look at some of the most prominent influences on this trend.

Reference from www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-most-spoken-languages-in-america.html

The landmark and tourist area 

THE STATUE OF LIBERTY

Presented to the United States in 1886 as a gift from France, Lady Liberty is a near-universal symbol of freedom and democracy, standing 152 feet high atop an 89-foot pedestal on Liberty Island. You can get a sense of the thrill millions of immigrants must have experienced as you approach it on the ferry from Battery Park and see the statue grow from a vaguely defined figure on the horizon into a towering, stately colossus. 

HOOVER DAM

Holding back the mighty Colorado River, this massive feat of engineering creates hydroelectric power and helps provides water for seven states. In 2010, the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge opened to allow for faster travel through the area. But it's still worth stopping to admire the Art Deco wonder and tour the facilities.

THE FREEDOM TRAIL

This path through central Boston provides a chance literally to walk in the footsteps of America’s forefathers. It leads past locations where much of the drama that would bring about the American Revolution unfolded, from Faneuil Hall to the Old North Church to the site of the Boston Massacre.

ST. LOUIS ARCH

Part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Park, this iconic structure symbolizes the importance of St. Louis as the Gateway to the West. Be sure to ride to the top for great views of the city and the Mississippi.

INDEPENDENCE HALL

In this building the Declaration of Independence was signed, George Washington was appointed commander in chief of the Continental Army, and the Constitution was ratified. In other words, there’s no other structure in the United States that’s loaded with more historical significance. The Hall is part of Independence National Historical Park, where you’ll also find the Liberty Bell and several museums.

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE

The suspension bridge connecting San Francisco with Marin County, completed in 1937, is a triumph in just about every way. With its 2-mi span and 750-foot towers, it’s both beautiful and durable—it was built to withstand winds of more than 100 mph and was undamaged by the 1989 Loma Prieta quake. The bridge's walkway provides unparalleled views of the Bay Area.

MOUNT RUSHMORE

In the midst of South Dakota’s Black Hills, 60-foot-high likenesses of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt are carved into a massive granite cliff; the result is America’s most famous memorial. From June through mid-September, the majestic faces are dramatically illuminated at night.

THE ALAMO

This one-time Franciscan mission stands as a monument to the 189 Texan volunteers who fought and died here during a 13-day siege in 1836 by Mexican general Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. The Texans lost the battle, but they ultimately won their bid for independence with "Remember the Alamo" as their rallying cry.

THE NATIONAL MALL

Washington’s Mall is surrounded by a collection of great American landmarks, with the Capitol at one end, the Washington Monument at the other, and the Lincoln Memorial and Vietnam Memorial (among many others) near at hand. There are also nearly a dozen museums bordering the Mall. 

FORT SUMTER

The first shots of the Civil War were fired on this fort on a man-made island in Charleston’s harbor. The 34-hour battle that ensued would result in defeat for the Union and turn Fort Sumter into a symbol of Southern resistance. Today the National Park Service oversees it, with rangers giving interpretive talks and conducting guided tours.

Reference from www.metro.us/top-10-all-american-landmarks/xFYpgd---ce_TlUIPgEB9ScIDb_49xw/