Geography of USA

Geography of USA

The U.S. is only a little smaller than Europe. The main part of the continental U.S. is situated in southern part of North America. Its neighbours are Canada in the north and Mexico in south. East coast of the USA is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and west coast is washed by the Pacific Ocean.

The U.S. consists of 50 states. The two newest states, Alaska and Hawaii, are separated from the continental U.S.. The largest state is Alaska, the smallest is Rhode Island. The capital is Washington, D.C.. It is the seat of the American Congress and of the White House – the residence of the President.

It si the home of about 250 milion people. The orginal inhabitants, the Red Indians, live mostly in reservations and are dying out.

The continental U.S. consists of an eastern highland, interior plains, and western highland.

Central plains are surrounded by the Rocky Mountains and the Coastal Mountains to west, the Appalachian Mountains to east.

The highest mountains are in Alaska, where is situated the highest mountain of the U.S., Mount McKinley.

The largest rivers are the Mississippi and the Missouri. It is the third longest river system in the world after the Amazon and the Nile. The north border which is made by lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario separate the USA of Canada. Lake Superior is the second largest lake in the world (after the Caspian Sea). The river Niagara, flowing from lake Erie into lake Ontario, is famous for the Niagara Falls, a major tourist attraction.

There are many kinds of climate. Temperatures change from the arctic cold in northern Alaska to subtropical warmth of Hawaii. On western coast temperatures change very little between summer and winter, the north and central states have different climate in summer and winter.

There are many national parks in the USA, especially in the Rocky Mountains Region, with beautiful and protected nature: Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and Mount McKinley. Yellowstone National Park is situated in Colorado Springs. It is the first natural reservation in the world, with hot springs, wild animals, birds and plants.

The official language in the USA is American English with a sizable Spanish-speaking minority. American english has got a wide range of differences from British English.

It is the country with leading economic power with a highly productive agricultural system. It is known with production of soya, wheat, maize, pig and cattle farming.

The USA is the member of all major international organisations like NATO and OECD, etc.