The USA, Information about the USA

The USA

Pictures

Look at the pictures and identifiy the places. Give some geographical facts about New York. What places would you like to see if you had a possibility to travel there? Why?

In the pictures I can see three different places in New York.

In the first picture I can see the typical Manhattan skyline. There are a lot of skyscrapers. In 2001 the tallest of them, the 110-storey WorldTrade Centre Towers  were destroyed in a terrorist attack.

In the second picture I can see Central Park. It´s the largest and most important park in N.Y. It offers both summer and winter attractions, such as a ZOO, an ice-skating rink, an open-air theatre, tennis courts, cycle paths, children´s playgrounds, concerts and dances.

In the third picture I can see The Statue of Liberty – it stands with its torch in N.Y. City Harbour, on Liberty Island. It is 92 metres high including its pedestal. It was donated to the American people by France in 1886 to commemorate the alliance between the USA and France during the American Revolution. The Statue symbolizing freedom and democracy was the first sight for immigrants coming to the USA by ship in the19-th and 20-th centuries.

2 Some interesting information about the USA

American continent was discovered by Columbus in 1492.

Then the Pilgrim Fathers were very important in the history. They came by the ship Mayflower. Half of them died of starvation during the first winter. Those who survived celebrated their first harvest with a feast of thanksgiving. Nowadays it´s a day of family reunions on the 4-th Thursday in November and there is always roast turkey, corn, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie on the table.

 Later the first 13 colonies were formed under the British control (mostly agricultural). The slave trade started and Negro slaves were used to work on cotton and tobacco plantations in the South. So the important event in the American history was the Civil War, or the War between North and South (in the 19th century, 1861-1865).

The colonies wanted to eliminate the power of British Kingdom. So a group of Americans dressed themselves as Native Americans threw bags of tea into the Boston Harbour to protest against the unfair taxes (Boston tea party). It was the beginning of revolution against England known as The War of Independence.

The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents for Americans. It was signed on July 4, in 1776 by 13 colonies. Since then it has been the greatest American national Holiday with many outdoor stage shows, boat races, funny competitions (water-melon eating). In the evening there are fireworks to illuminate the skies.

Some geographical facts

The USA cover a considerable part of the North America. The USA is bounded to the north by Canada, to the west by the Pacific Ocean, to the south by Mexico and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean.

Population is about 320 million people mostly of European origin and also of Afro-American, American Indian, Japanese, Chinese and other origins. Besides English which is the official language, the people of the USA speak their minority and immigrant languages (mostly Spanish and Chinese).

The USA is a federation of 50 states including Alaska and Hawaii. (Name some of them:Kansas, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Florida, California, Colorado, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois,......)

The capital city is Washington, D.C. and the largest city is New York.

The System of Government - Is based on the principles established in the Constitution written in 1787 and in the Bill of Rights.

The power of the government is divided into three branches – the Executive Branch, - headed by the president (name),  the Legislative Branch - Congress – consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives and the Judicial Branch – headed by the Supreme Court.

Think of three things that you consider typically American and explain why.

In my opinion McDonalds´  is typical for Americans. They like junk food (fast food). They are very fat.

Then it´s Hollywood – the centre of movie stars and movie makers. I like going to the cinema and my favourite actors are:........................

Finally it´s Thanksgiving Day.  (viď hore)

What places would you like to see if you had a possibility to travel to America?

I would like to visit Las Vegas, because it´s a capital of gambling. I know it from many films.

There are many other attractive places: Niagara Falls, Florida, Death Valley , Washington DC, Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountains, San Francisco (with the Golden Bridge), New York, etc.

Many young people from our country look for some jobs in the USA. Why is this country so popular with young people?

Everybody looks for American dream. In the USA you can do anything you want and be rich.

New York

Is the largest city in the USA. It is an important airport, with good connections inland and the largest business, industrial and cultural centre of the USA. It´s also the centre of the art world, the media world, the theatre world and the fashion world.

N.Y. – originally called New Amsterdam, was a little Dutch town built on a small part of Manhattan Island.

One of the most impressive views of N.Y. City is the typical Manhattan skyline. There are a lot of skyscrapers. In 2001 the tallest of them, the 110-storey Trade Centre Towers  were destroyed in a terrorist attack.

There are many famous attractions in N.Y. City. One of them, the Empire State Building, was also called „the eight wonder of the world.“ It has 102 storeys and a TV tower on the top.

Another famous place is the Rockefeller Centre a large business and entertainment complex.

The Brooklyn Bridge  was one of the longest in the world. It conects Brooklyn to Manhattan Island.

The Statue of Liberty – stands with its torch in N.Y. City Harbour, on Liberty Island. It is 92 metres high including its pedestal. It was donated to the American people by France in 1886 to commemorate the alliance between the USA and France during the American Revolution. The Statue symbolizing freedom and democracy was the first sight for immigrants coming to the USA by ship in the19-th and 20-th centuries.

Another interesting place for visitors to N.Y. is the Fifth Avenue. It´s famous for its luxurious shops, jewellers and office buildings.

Equally famous is Broadway.  Most theatres, including the well-known Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall as well as many cinemas and bars are on Broadway.

People coming to N.Y. like visiting Chinatown  with its restaurants serving typical Chinese food.

Central Park is the largest and most important park in N.Y. It offers both summer and winter attractions, such as a ZOO, an ice-skating rink, an open-air theatre, tenis courts, cycle paths, children´s playgrounds, concerts and dances.

Wall Street – is known as the world´s most important financial centre.