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Revision 8720760 of "United States" on enwikiJim Wales the owner of Wikipedia is a pornographer who runs http://www.bomis.com the sex search engine Kira Wales the daughter of Jim Wales is a retared FAS Baby Christine Wales the wife of Jim Wales appears in gang bang videos on bomis.com Jim Wales lives in an small little house at 3911 Harrisburgh Rd NE St. Petersburgh, FL Email Jim Wales at [email protected] Jim Wales phone number is 727-644-1636 For more information on Jim Wales visit http://www.wikisucks.com {{otheruses}} {{United States infobox}} The '''United States of America''', also referred to as the '''United States''', '''U.S.A.''', '''U.S.''', '''America''',[[#Notes|¹]] or '''the States''', is a [[federal republic]] in central [[North America]], stretching from the [[Atlantic (ocean)|Atlantic]] in the east to the [[Pacific Ocean]] in the west. It shares land borders with [[Canada]] in the north and [[Mexico]] in the south, a marine border with [[Russia]] in the northwest, and has a collection of districts, territories, and possessions around the world. The country has fifty [[U.S. state|states]], which have a level of local autonomy according to the system of [[federation|federalism]]. A United States citizen is usually identified as an ''American''.[[#Notes|¹]] The United States traces its national origin to the [[United States Declaration of Independence|declaration]] by thirteen [[Kingdom of Great Britain|British]] [[13 colonies|colonies]] in [[1776]] that they were free and independent states. Since the mid-[[20th century]], it has surpassed all other [[nation]]s in contemporary [[economic]], [[political]], [[military]], and [[cultural]] influence. The U.S. was founded under a tradition of government with the consent of the governed under the [[representative democracy]] model. This model of government ([[presidential system|presidential]]-[[congressional system|congressional]]) has since been adopted by many other countries, mostly in [[Central America]] and [[South America]]. ==History== ''Main article: [[History of the United States]]'' Following the [[European colonization of the Americas]], [[thirteen colonies]] split from Britain and formed the United States, one of the world's first modern [[representative democracy|representative democracies]], after their [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]] in [[1776]] and the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]] ([[1775]]–[[1783]]). The original political structure was a [[confederation]] in [[1777]], ratified in [[1781]] as the [[Articles of Confederation]]. After long [[Federalist papers|debate]], this was supplanted by the [[United States Constitution|Constitution]] in [[1789]], forming a more centralized [[federalism|federal]] government. During the [[19th century]], many new [[U.S. state|states]] were added to the original thirteen as the nation expanded across the [[North America]]n continent and acquired a number of overseas possessions, and the nation became an [[industrialisation|industrial power]]. The two major traumatic experiences for the nation were the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] ([[1861]]-[[1865]]) and the [[Great Depression]] ([[1929]]-[[1939]]), and it has taken part in several major wars, from the [[War of 1812]] against Britain, to being allied with Britain during [[World War I]] and [[World War II]], and taking part in the [[Korean War|Korean]] and [[Vietnam War]]s. After the end of the second World War and the later collapse of the [[Soviet Union]], the United States emerged as the world's leading economic and military [[superpower]]. ''See also: [[Military history of the United States]], [[Timeline of United States history]]'' == Politics == ''Main article: [[Politics of the United States]]'' The United States of America consists of fifty [[states]] with limited [[autonomy]] in which [[federal law]] takes precedence over [[state law]]. In general, matters that lie entirely within state borders are the exclusive concern of state governments. These include internal communications; regulations relating to property, industry, business, and public utilities; the state [[Criminal Code|criminal code]]; and working conditions within the state. The [[District of Columbia]] falls under the jurisdiction of the [[U.S. Congress]], and has limited [[District of Columbia home rule|home rule]]. The various state [[constitution]]s differ in some details but generally follow a pattern similar to that of the federal Constitution, including a statement of the rights of the people and a plan for organizing the government. On such matters as the operation of businesses, banks, public utilities and charitable institutions, state constitutions are often more detailed and explicit than the federal Constitution. In recent years, the federal government has assumed broader responsibility in such matters as health, education, welfare, transportation, housing and urban development. [[Image:Uscapitolindaylight.jpg|thumb|250px|The [[United States Capitol]] in [[Washington, DC]], home of the [[United States Congress|Congress]], the [[Legislature|legislative branch]] of the government of United States.]] The federal government itself consists of three branches: the [[executive branch]] (headed by the [[President of the United States|President]]), the [[legislative branch]] (the [[United States Congress|Congress]]), and the [[judicial branch]] (headed by the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]]). The President is elected to a four-year term by the [[U.S. Electoral College|Electoral College]], which is chosen through popular votes in the fifty states and the District of Columbia. The various legislators are chosen by popular vote in the 50 states. Members of Congress are elected for terms of two years in the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] and six years in the [[United States Senate|Senate]]. Justices of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President with the consent of the Senate for an unlimited term. This tripartite model of government is generally duplicated at the state level. Local governments take various forms. The federal and state governments are dominated by two political parties, the [[United States Republican Party|Republicans]] and the [[United States Democratic Party|Democrats]]. The dominant political culture in the United States is, as a whole, somewhat to the [[right-wing|right]] of the dominant political culture in European democracies, though the issues at odds are somewhat different. Given their complex support bases it is difficult to specifically categorize the two major parties' appeal. Within the United States political culture, the Republican Party is described as center-right and the Democratic Party is described as center-left. Minor party and independent candidates are very occasionally elected, usually to local or state office, but the United States political system has historically supported "catch-all parties" rather than coalition governments. The ideology and policies of the sitting President of the United States commonly play a large role in determining the direction of his political party, as well as the platform of the opposition. Political parties in the United States do not have formal "leaders" unlike many other countries, although there are complex hierarchies within the political parties that form various executive committees. Party ideology remains very individually-driven, with a diverse spectrum of [[moderate]]s, [[centrist]]s, and [[radical]]s within each party. The two parties exist on the federal, state, and local levels, although the parties' organization, platform, and ideologies are not necessarily uniform across all levels of government. Both major parties draw some support from across the diverse socio-economic classes that compose the United States' multi-ethnic society. Business interests provide the bulk of financial support to both parties, generally favoring the Republican party. The Republicans generally receive more funding and support from business groups, religious Christians and Jews, and rural Americans, while the Democratic party receives more support from [[labor union]]s and minority ethnic groups. Because federal elections in the United States are among the most expensive in the world, access to funds is vital in the political system. Thus corporations, unions, and other organized groups that provide funds and political support to parties and politicians play a very large role in determining political agendas and government decision-making. The immense cultural, economic, and military influence of the United States has made [[Foreign relations of the United States|foreign relations]] an especially important topic in its politics, with considerable concern about the image of the United States throughout the world. ==Political divisions== ''Main article: [[Political divisions of the United States]]'' With the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]], the [[thirteen colonies]] transformed themselves into [[nation states]] modeled after the European states of the time. In the following years, the number of states within the U.S. grew steadily due to western expansion, the conquest and purchase of lands by the national government, and the subdivision of existing states, resulting in the current total of fifty. The states are generally divided into smaller administrative regions, including [[county (United States)|counties]], [[List of cities of the United States|cities]] and [[township (United States)|township]]s. The United States also holds several other territories, districts and possessions, notably the [[federal district]] of the [[District of Columbia]], which is the nation's capital, and several overseas [[insular area]]s, the most significant of which are [[Puerto Rico]], [[American Samoa]], [[Guam]], [[Northern Mariana Islands]], and the [[United States Virgin Islands]]. The United States has held a Naval Base at an occupied portion of [[Guantanamo Bay]], [[Cuba]] since [[1898]]. The U.S. government claims a lease to this land, which only mutual agreement or United States abandonment of the area can terminate. The Cuban government disputes this arrangement, claiming Cuba was not truly [[sovereign]] at the time of the signing. The United States has made no territorial claim in [[Antarctica]] but has reserved the right to do so. {{United_States}} == Geography == [[Image:National-atlas-general-reference-map-USA.png|thumb|300px|right|Map of the United States]] ''Main article: [[Geography of the United States]]'' As the world's third largest country (by total area), the United States landscape varies greatly: temperate forestland on the East coast, [[mangrove]] in [[Florida]], the [[Great Plains]] in the center of the country, the [[Mississippi River|Mississippi]]-[[Missouri River|Missouri]] river system, the [[Great Lakes]] which are shared with [[Canada]], [[Rocky Mountains]] west of the plains, deserts and temperate coastal zones west of the Rocky Mountains and temperate rainforests in the Pacific Northwest. The arctic regions of [[Alaska]] and the [[volcano|volcanic]] islands of [[Hawaii]] only increase the geographic and climatic diversity. The climate varies along with the landscape, from sub-tropical in [[Hawaii]] and [[Florida]] to [[tundra]] in [[Alaska]]. Large parts of the country have a continental climate, with warm summers and cold winters. Some parts of the United States, particularly parts of California, have a [[Mediterranean climate]]. The political geography is notable as well, with the Canadian border being the longest undefended border in the world, and with the country being divided into three distinct sections: The [[continental United States]], also known as the lower 48; [[Alaska]], which is physically connected only to Canada, and the [[archipelago]] of Hawaii in the central [[Pacific Ocean]]. == Economy == [[Image:U.S._one_dollar_obverse.jpg|right|thumb|The [[United States dollar]], the nation's currency.]] ''Main article: [[Economy of the United States]]'' The economy of the United States is organized primarily on a [[capitalism|capitalist model]], but with some [[government regulation]] in many industries. There are also some [[social welfare]] programs like [[Social Security (United States)|Social Security]], [[unemployment benefits]], Temporary Assistance to Needy Families ("[[welfare]]"), the [[Earned Income Tax Credit]], [[Medicare (United States)|Medicare]], and [[Medicaid]]. Such departures from a pure [[free market|free-market]] economy have generally increased since the late [[1800s]], but are less pronounced in the United States than in other ("first world") industrialized countries. Several countries have coupled their [[currency]] with the [[United States dollar|dollar]] (such as the [[People's Republic of China]]), or even use it as a currency, although this practice has subsided in recent years. The country has rich [[mineral]] resources, with extensive [[gold]], [[oil]], [[coal]], and [[uranium]] deposits. Successful [[Agriculture|farm industries]] rank the country among the top producers of, among others, [[maize|corn]], [[wheat]], [[sugar]], and [[tobacco]]. The U.S. [[manufacturing|manufacturing sector]] produces, among other things, [[automobile|cars]], [[airplanes]], and [[electronics]]. The biggest industry is now [[service economy|service]]; about three-quarters of U.S. residents are employed in that sector. The largest trading partner of the United States is its northern neighbor, [[Canada]]. Other major partners are [[Mexico]], the [[European Union]], and the industrialized nations in [[Asia]], such as [[Japan]], [[India]], and [[South Korea]]. Trade with [[China]] is also significant. In 2002, the United States was [[World Tourism Rankings|ranked]] as the third most visited [[Tourism|tourist]] destination in the world. Its 41.9 million visits trailed only [[France]] (77 million) and [[Spain]] (51.7 million). ''See also: [[List of United States companies]]'' == Transportation == ''Main article: [[Transportation in the United States]]'' To link its vast territories, the United States has built a vast network of roads, of which the most important aspect is the [[Interstate highway]] system. Americans are renowned for their "car-crazy" lifestyle and the [[sprawl]]ing car-oriented design of their cities. Air travel is preferred for destinations at least 300 miles away (or farther). == Demographics == ''Main article: [[Demographics of the United States]]'' ===Ethnicity and race=== Americans, in part due to categories decided by the U.S. government, generally describe themselves as being either multi-ethnic or one of five ethnic groups: [[Whites|White]], sometimes called ''[[European-American]]'' or ''[[Caucasian]]''; [[African-American]], also called ''[[Black]]''; [[Hispanic]], also called ''[[Latino]]''; [[Asian-American]], frequently specified as ''[[Chinese-American]]'', ''[[Korean-American]]'', etc.; and [[Native American]], also called ''American Indian''. These groups leave a ''great'' deal of room for ambiguity, as, for example, Middle Easterners are made to choose between Europe and Asia, neither of which do they belong to; the category Asian is popularly identified with [[East Asia]], rather than [[Southwest Asia]]; [[Pacific Islander/Hawaiian native]]s, technically Native Americans, may be assigned to Asian-American because of their geographic origins in [[Oceania]]; the term ''African-American'' is associated with centuries-long residents, and does not make distinctions between them and, say, recent [[Afro-Caribbean]] immigrants from [[Jamaica]] or refugees from [[Somalia]]. Furthermore, the categories disregard the multi-ethnic heritage of many Americans. The majority of the 290 million people currently living in the United States descend from [[Europe|European]] immigrants who have arrived since the establishment of the first colonies. Major components of the European segment of the United States population are descended from immigrants from [[Germany]] (23 percent), [[Ireland]] (16 percent), [[England]] (13 percent), [[Scotland]], [[The Netherlands]] and [[Italy]] (6 percent), with many immigrants also coming from [[Scandinavia]]n or [[Slavs|Slavic]] countries. Other significant immigrant populations came from eastern and southern Europe and French Canada; few immigrants came directly from [[France]]. Likewise, while there were few immigrants directly from [[Spain]], [[Hispanics in the United States|Hispanics]] from [[Mexico]] and South and Central America are considered the largest minority group in the country, comprising 13.4 percent of the population in [[2002]]. This has brought increasing use of the [[Spanish in the United States|Spanish language in the United States]]. About 12.9 percent ([[2000]] census) of the American people are [[African American]]s, many of whom are descendants of the [[slave trade|enslaved Africans]] brought to the U.S. between the [[1620s]] and [[1807]]. There has been in recent years a large influx of African immigrants to the United States due to the instability in political and economic opportunities in various nations in Africa. A third significant minority is the [[Asian American]] population (4.2 percent), most of whom are concentrated on the [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]]. The aboriginal population of [[Native American]]s, such as [[American Indian]]s and [[Inuit]], make up 1.5 percent of the population. ''See also: [[Immigration to the United States]]'' ===Religion=== ''Main Article: [[Religion in the United States]]'' As of [[2004]], the distribution for major religions in the United States was as follows: [[Protestant]] (52 percent), [[Roman Catholicism in the United States|Roman Catholic]] (24 percent), "none" (10 percent), [[Mormons|Mormon]] (2 percent), [[Jew|Jewish]] (1 percent), [[Muslim]] (1 percent, See [[Islam in the United States]]) and between 0.3 and 0.5 percent each for [[Buddhist]], [[Hindu]] and [[Unitarian Universalism|Unitarian Universalist]]. An additional 0.3 to 0.5 percent, each, are professed [[agnostic]]s and [[atheist]]s. The largest single religious denomination in the United States is the [[Roman Catholic Church]], followed by the [[Southern Baptist Convention]] and the [[Mormons]]. The United States, as a developed nation, is noteworthy for its high level of Christian religious devotion. However, the percentage of Americans calling themselves Christian has declined somewhat in recent years from 86.2 percent in [[1990]] to 76.5 percent in [[2001]]. ===Class=== In terms of relative wealth, most U.S. residents enjoy a standard of personal economic wealth that is far greater than that known in most of the world. For example, 51 percent of all households have access to a [[computer]] and 67.9 percent of U.S. households owned their dwellings in [[2002]]. However, there is also a considerable amount of [[poverty in the United States]] with 12.1% of the population living below the poverty level. The [[social structure of the United States]] is somewhat stratified, with a significant class of very wealthy individuals, which are often alleged to hold disproportionate cultural and political influence. However, [[social mobility]] is a well-known concept in America, considered part of the "[[American dream]]", in that even someone born into a poor family can rise to join the upper classes. How often this actually occurs is a matter of debate. The nation's [[Gini coefficient]] of 40.8 percent (measuring income inequalities) is the third highest of all developed nations (after [[South Africa]] and [[Mexico]]). == Culture == ''Main article: [[Culture of the United States]]'' [[Image:Elvisstamp.jpg|frame|right|[[Elvis Presley]], an American singer and star who had a large impact on music and youth culture in the world.]] U.S. culture has a large influence on the rest of the world, especially the [[Western world]]. This influence is sometimes criticized as [[cultural imperialism]]. [[Music of the United States|U.S. music]] is heard all over the world, and it is the sire of such forms as [[blues]] and [[jazz]] and had a primary hand in the shaping of modern [[rock and roll]] and [[popular music]] culture. Many great [[Western classical music]]ians and forums find their home in the U.S. [[New York City]] is a hub for international [[opera]]tic and [[instrumental]] music as well as the world-famed [[Broadway]] plays and musicals. New York and [[San Francisco]] are world-wide leaders in [[graphic design]] and New York and [[Los Angeles]] compete with major European cities in the fashion industry. [[Cinema of the United States|U.S. movies]] (primarily embodied in [[Hollywood]]) and [[Television of the United States|television]] shows can be seen almost anywhere. This is in stark contrast to the early days of the republic, when the country was viewed by Europeans as an agricultural backwater with little to offer the culturally "advanced" world centers of Asia and Europe. Nearing the mid-point of its third century of nationhood, the U.S. plays host to the gamut of human intellectual and artistic endeavor in nearly every major city, offering classical and popular music; historical, scientific and art research centers and museums; dance performances, musicals and plays; outdoor art projects and internationally significant architecture. This development is a result of both contributions by private philanthropists and government funding. The United States is also a great center of higher education, boasting more than 4,000 [[university|universities]], [[college|colleges]] and other institutions of higher learning, the top tier of which may be considered to be among the most prestigious and advanced in the world. ''See also: [[Arts and entertainment in the United States]], [[Languages in the United States]], [[Education in the United States]]'' ==Social issues== :''Main Articles: [[Social Issues in the United States]], [[Human rights in the United States]], [[Anti-American sentiment]]'' The [[United States Constitution]] makes provision for the rights of [[freedom of speech]], the [[right to keep and bear arms]], [[freedom of religion]], [[trial by jury]], and protection from "[[cruel and unusual punishment]]." The United States accepts many [[immigration|immigrants]] and has laws against [[racial discrimination|racial]] and other forms of [[discrimination]] and other protections for [[minority group]]s. Nevertheless, the United States has at times been criticized for [[Human rights in the United States|violations of human rights]], including racial discrimination in trials and sentences, police abuses, excessive and unwarranted incarceration, and the imposition of the [[death penalty]] [[#Notes|²]]. In 2001, [[Human Rights Watch]] issued a report stating that United States had "made little progress in embracing international human rights standards at home." [http://www.hrw.org/wr2k1/usa/] As of [[2004]], the United States has possibly the world's largest prison population at over 2 million inmates; note, however, that [[China]] in particular is suspected of not releasing accurate figures, or of failing to document some prisoners. Human Rights Watch believes the United States' per-capita incarceration rate to be second in the world only to war-torn [[Rwanda]]. [http://www.hrw.org/wr2k1/usa/#drug&race] Roughly 1 American in 15 will spend time in prison during his lifetime [http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/crimoff.htm]. It is worth noting that the high incarceration rate may be working, as crime in the United States has been declining for years. The United States' [[suicide]] rate exceeds its [[homicide]] rate but is still quite lower than most other industrialized nations. Routine infant [[male circumcision]] is legal and widely practiced, which has attracted some controversy over recent years. A number of American-based corporations, particularly [[McDonald's]], [[Coca-Cola]], and [[Disney]], have spread to many other countries, some of which have displayed resentment at the spread of American culture. McDonald's particularly has been the subject of protest and even acts of vandalism. Despite being only 5% of the world's population, the United States consumes 25% of the world's power. [http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/ene_ele_con] In terms of per capita usage, the U.S. ranks ninth. Partly because of the United States' status as one of the world's most powerful nations, the [[English language]] has also spread worldwide. In France, lawmakers have made efforts to discourage use of English words such as "e-mail" and to avoid ''[[franglais]]'', or English mixed with French. The concern that English is rapidly displacing other languages is widespread. Likewise, speakers of other [[dialect]]s of English (for example in [[Britain]] and [[Australia]]) feel that their language is becoming "[[Americanization|Americanised]]." ==Legal holidays== ''Main article: [[Holidays of the United States]]'' {| border="1" align="center" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" |- ! style="background:#efefef;" | Date !! style="background:#efefef;" | Name !! style="background:#efefef;" | Remarks |- | [[January 1]] || [[New Year's Day]] || Beginning of year, marks traditional end of "holiday season" |- | [[January]], third Monday || [[Martin Luther King, Jr.]] Day || Honors late Dr. King, [[Civil Rights]] leader |- | [[February]], third Monday || [[Presidents' Day]] || Honors former U.S. Presidents, especially [[George Washington|Washington]] and [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln]] |- | [[May]], last Monday || [[Memorial Day]] || Honors servicemen and women who died in service, marks traditional beginning of summer |- | [[July 4]] || [[Independence Day (US)|Independence Day]] || Celebrates [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]], usually called the Fourth of July |- | [[September]], first Monday || [[Labor Day]] || Celebrates achievements of workers, marks traditional end of summer. This holiday is held instead of the traditional worldwide Labor Day, [[May Day|May 1]], which actually began in the U.S. |- | [[October]], second Monday || [[Columbus Day]] || Honors [[Christopher Columbus]], traditional discoverer of the Americas |- | [[November 11]] || [[Veterans Day|Veterans' Day]] || Traditional observation of a moment of silence at 11 a.m. remembering those who fought for peace |- | [[November]], fourth Thursday || [[Thanksgiving]] || Day of thanks which marks the traditional beginning of the "holiday season" |- | [[December 25]] || [[Christmas]] || Celebrates the [[nativity]] of [[Jesus]], also celebrated as secular winter holiday |} == Related topics == ''Main article: [[List of United States-related topics]]'' {| align="center" id="toc" cellspacing="0" |- bgcolor="#ccccff" | colspan="2" align="center" | '''[[List of United States-related topics | Topics in the United States]]''' |- ! align="left" style="vertical-align: top;" | [[History of the United States | History]] | align="left" style="vertical-align: top;" | <small>[[Timeline of United States history | Timeline]] ([[Colonial America | Colonial Era]] | [[American Revolution]] | [[United States territorial acquisitions | Westward Expansion]] | [[American Civil War | Civil War]] | [[World War 1]] | [[Great Depression]] | [[World War 2]] | [[Cold War]] | [[Vietnam War]] | [[Civil Rights Movement | Civil Rights]]) | [[Foreign relations of the United States | Foreign relations]] | [[Military history of the United States | Military]] | [[Demographic history of the United States | Demographic]] and [[Stamps and postal history of the United States | Postal]] history</small> |- align="center" ! align="left" style="vertical-align: top;" | [[Politics of the United States | Politics]] | align="left" style="vertical-align: top;" | <small>[[Law of the United States | Law]] ([[United States Constitution | Constitution]] and [[United States Bill of Rights | Bill of Rights]] | [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]]) | [[List of political parties in the United States | Political parties]] ([[United States Democratic Party | Democrats]] & [[United States Republican Party | Republicans]]) | [[U.S. presidential election | Elections]] ([[Electoral College]]) | [[Political scandals of the United States | Political scandals]] | [[Political divisions of the United States | Political divisions]]</small> |- align="center" ! align="left" style="vertical-align: top;" | [[Federal Government of the United States | Government]] | align="left" style="vertical-align: top;" | <small>[[List of United States federal agencies | Federal agencies]] | [[Legislative branch]] ([[Congress]]: [[United States House of Representatives | House]] | [[United States Senate | Senate]]) [[Executive branch]] ([[President of the United States | President]] & [[Vice-President of the United States | Vice-President]] | [[United States Cabinet | Cabinet]] | [[United States Attorney General | Attorney-General]] | [[United States Secretary of State | Secretary of State]]) | [[:Category:Law enforcement in the United States | Law enforcement]] ( [[Federal Bureau of Investigation | FBI]] | [[Intelligence]]:[[CIA]] | [[DIA]] | [[NIMA]] | [[NRO]] | [[NSA]]) | [[Judicial branch]] ([[Supreme Court of the United States | Supreme Court]]) | [[Military of the United States | Military]] ([[United States Army | Army]] | [[United States Navy | Navy]] | [[United States Marine Corps | Marines]] | [[United States Air Force | Air Force]])</small> |- align="center" ! align="left" style="vertical-align: top;" | [[Geography of the United States | Geography]] | align="left" style="vertical-align: top;" | <small>[[Appalachian Mountains | Appalachian Mtns.]] | [[Rocky Mountains | Rocky Mtns.]] | [[Great Plains]] | [[Midwest]] | [[U.S. Southern states | The South]] | [[Mississippi River]] | [[New England]] | [[Mid-Atlantic States | Mid-Atlantic]] | [[Pacific Northwest]] | [[List of mountains of the United States | Mountains]] | [[List of valleys of the United States | Valleys]] | [[List of islands of the United States | Islands]] | [[List of rivers in the United States | Rivers]] | [[US State | States]] | [[List of cities in the United States | Cities]] | [[County | Counties]] | [[list of regions of the United States | Regions]] | [[Extreme points of the United States | Extreme points]]</small> |- align="center" ! align="left" | [[Economy of the United States | Economy]] | align="left" | <small>[[United States dollar | Dollar]] | [[Wall Street]] | [[Standard of living in the United States | Standard of living]] | [[List of United States companies | Companies]] | [[Poverty in the United States | Poverty]] </small> |- align="center" ! align="left" | [[Demographics of the United States | Demographics]] | align="left" | <small>[[US Census Bureau]] | [[Languages in the United States | Languages]] | [[Social structure of the United States | Social structure]] | [[Standard of living in the United States | Standard of living]] | [[Religion in the United States | Religion]]</small> |- align="center" ! align="left" style="vertical-align: top;" | [[Arts and entertainment in the United States | Arts]] & [[Culture of the United States | Culture]] | align="left" style="vertical-align: top;" | <small>[[Music of the United States | Music]] ([[Hippie]]s | [[blues]] | [[jazz]] | [[rock and roll]] | [[hip hop]] | [[gospel music | gospel]] | [[country music | country]]) | [[Cinema of the United States | Film]] & [[Television of the United States | TV]] ([[Hollywood]]) | [[Literature of the United States | Literature]] ([[Poetry of the United States | Poetry]] | [[Transcendentalism]] | [[Harlem Renaissance]] | [[Beat Generation]]) | [[Visual arts of the United States | Visual arts]] ([[Abstract expressionism | Abstract expressionism]]) | [[Cuisine of the United States | Cuisine]] | [[Holidays of the United States | Holidays]] | [[American folklore | Folklore]] | [[Dance of the United States | Dance]] | [[Architecture of the United States | Architecture]] | [[Education in the United States | Education]] | [[Languages in the United States | Languages]] | [[Media in the United States | Media]] </small> |- align="center" ! align="left" style="vertical-align: top;" | Other | align="left" style="vertical-align: top;" | <small>[[United States territory]] | [[Communications in the United States | Communications]] | [[Transportation in the United States | Transportation]] ([[United States highway | Highways]] and [[Interstate highway | Interstates]] | [[List of United States railroads | Railroads]]) | [[Uncle Sam]] | [[Flag of the United States | Flag]] | [[American Dream]] | [[Media in the United States | Media]] | [[Education in the United States | Education]] | [[Tourism in the United States | Tourism]] | [[Social issues in the United States | Social issues]] ([[Immigration to the United States | Immigration]] | [[Affirmative action]] | [[Racial profiling]] | [[Human rights in the United States | Human rights]] | [[War on Drugs]] | [[Pornography in the United States | Pornography]] | [[Same-sex marriage in the United States | same-sex marriage ]] | [[United States prison population | Prisons]] | [[Capital punishment in the United States | Capital punishment]]) | [[American Exceptionalism]] | [[Anti-Americanism]] | [[American Folklore]] | [[American English]] | [[United States Mexico barrier]]</small> |- align="center" ! align="left" style="vertical-align: top;" | '''[[U.S. state|States]]''' | align="left" style="font-size: 80%;" | [[Alabama]] | [[Alaska]] | [[Arizona]] | [[Arkansas]] | [[California]] | [[Colorado]] | [[Connecticut]] | [[Delaware]] | [[District of Columbia]] | [[Florida]] | [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] | [[Hawaii]] | [[Idaho]] | [[Illinois]] | [[Indiana]] | [[Iowa]] | [[Kansas]] | [[Kentucky]] | [[Louisiana]] | [[Maine]] | [[Maryland]] | [[Massachusetts]] | [[Michigan]] | [[Minnesota]] | [[Mississippi]] | [[Missouri]] | [[Montana]] | [[Nebraska]] | [[Nevada]] | [[New Hampshire]] | [[New Jersey]] | [[New Mexico]] | [[New York]] | [[North Carolina]] | [[North Dakota]] | [[Ohio]] | [[Oklahoma]] | [[Oregon]] | [[Pennsylvania]] | [[Rhode Island]] | [[South Carolina]] | [[South Dakota]] | [[Tennessee]] | [[Texas]] | [[Utah]] | [[Vermont]] | [[Virginia]] | [[Washington]] | [[West Virginia]] | [[Wisconsin]] | [[Wyoming]]</small> |} == International rankings == * [[IMD International]]: [http://www01.imd.ch/wcy/ World Competitiveness Yearbook 2004], Rank 1 out of 60 economies (countries and regions) * [[World Economic Forum]]: [http://www.weforum.org/site/homepublic.nsf/Content/Global+Competitiveness+Programme%5CGlobal+Competitiveness+Report Global Competitiveness Report 2004-2005] - Growth Competitiveness Index Ranking, Rank 2 out of 104 countries * [[UNDP]]: [http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/2004/ Human Development Index 2004], Rank 8 out of 177 countries * [[Save the Children]]: [http://www.savethechildren.org/mothers/report_2004/images/pdf/SOWM_2004_final.pdf State of the World’s Mothers 2004], Rank 10 out of 119 countries * [[Transparency International]]: [http://www.transparency.org/pressreleases_archive/2004/2004.10.20.cpi.en.html Corruption Perceptions Index 2004], Rank 17 out of 146 countries (tied with Belgium and Ireland) * [[Reporters without borders]]: [http://www.rsf.fr/article.php3?id_article=11715 Third annual worldwide press freedom index (2004)], Rank 22 (American territory; tied with Belgium) & 108 (in Iraq) out of 167 countries ==Notes== <small>¹ In the [[English language|English]]-speaking world, ''[[America]]'' has become synonymous with the nation of the United States while ''[[American]]'' refers to United States (U.S.) citizens; this is a standard usage in not only the U.S. itself, but also much of Europe and Australasia. The term ''Americas'', on the other hand, includes the North and South American continents as a collective unit. In Spanish-speaking countries, particularly in Central and South America, the word ''América'' is used not to denote the U.S. but what English-speakers would term the Americas. Thus, some people of the Americas find it off-putting for the U.S. to be referred to as ''America'' and inhabitants of the U.S. as ''Americans''. While, in some quarters, the accuracy and political correctness of such nomenclature is debated, current usage in English by sheer weight of occurrence inclines to ''America'' and ''American'' as linked to the nation and citizens of the United States.<br> ²The death penalty is only carried out in some U.S. states and it is in itself a controversial issue within the U.S. ''See: [[Human rights in the United States#Death penalty|Human rights in the United States]] </small> == External links == {{commons|United States}} {{wikiquote|United States}} === United States government === *[http://www.firstgov.gov Official website of the United States government] - Gateway to governmental sites *[http://www.whitehouse.gov White House] - Official site of the US President *[http://www.senate.gov Senate.gov] - Official site of the United States Senate *[http://www.house.gov House.gov] - Official site of the United States House of Representatives *[http://www.supremecourtus.gov SCOTUS] - Official site of the Supreme Court of the United States *[http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/factover/homepage.htm Portrait of the USA] - Published by the United States Information Agency, September 1997. *[http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/ US Census Housing and Economic Statistics] Updated regularly by US Bureau of the Census. *[http://nationalatlas.gov/ National Atlas] *[http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/us.html CIA World Factbook Entry for United States] === Other === *[http://www.mediatico.com US Newspapers by State] *[http://www.religioustolerance.org/nat_mott.htm National Motto: History and Constitutionality] *[http://www.nationalcenter.org/HistoricalDocuments.html Historical Documents] *[http://www.travel-directory.org/Destinations/North_America/United_States/index.html Reference: US specific web resources sorted by state] *[http://www.teacheroz.com/states.htm info links for each state] {{North_America}} [[af:Verenigde State]] [[ar:ولايات متحدة امريكية]] [[ast:Estaos Uníos]] [[bg:Съединени американски щати]] [[bs:Sjedinjene Američke Države]] [[ca:Estats Units]] [[chr:ᎠᎺᎢ]] [[cs:Spojené státy americké]] [[cy:Unol Daleithiau America]] [[da:USA]] [[de:USA]] [[et:Ameerika Ühendriigid]] [[el:Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες]] [[es:Estados Unidos]] [[eo:Usono]] [[fa:ایالات متحده آمریکا]] [[fr:États-Unis d'Amérique]] [[fy:Feriene Steaten fan Amearika]] [[ga:Stáit Aontaithe Mheiriceá]] [[gd:Na Stàitean Aonaichte]] [[gl:Estados Unidos]] [[ko:미국]] [[hi:संयुक्त राज्य अमेरिका]] [[hr:Sjedinjene Američke Države]] [[io:Usa]] [[id:Amerika Serikat]] [[ia:Statos Unite de America]] [[is:Bandaríkin]] [[it:Stati Uniti d'America]] [[he:ארצות הברית]] [[la:Civitates Americae Unitae]] [[lt:JAV]] [[hu:Amerikai Egyesült Államok]] [[ms:Amerika Syarikat]] [[minnan:Bí-kok]] [[nv:Wááshindoon bikéyah ałhidadiidzooígíí]] [[nl:Verenigde Staten van Amerika]] [[ja:アメリカ合衆国]] [[no:Amerikas forente stater]] [[nds:USA]] [[pl:Stany Zjednoczone]] [[pt:Estados Unidos da América]] [[ro:Statele Unite ale Americii]] [[ru:Соединённые Штаты Америки]] [[simple:United States of America]] [[sk:Spojené štáty americké]] [[sl:Združene države Amerike]] [[sr:Сједињене Америчке Државе]] [[fi:Yhdysvallat]] [[sv:USA]] [[th:สหรัฐอเมริกา]] [[vi:Hoa Kỳ]] [[tokipona:ma Mewika]] [[tr:Amerika Birleşik Devletleri]] [[ur:امریکہ]] [[uk:Сполучені Штати Америки]] [[zh:美国]] [[Category:North American countries]] [[Category:Republics]] [[Category:United States| ]] All content in the above text box is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license Version 4 and was originally sourced from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=8720760.
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