The United States of America The United States

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The United States of America

The United States of America

The United States of America consists of 50 states plus a small federal territory,

The United States of America consists of 50 states plus a small federal territory, the District of Columbia, where there is the capital, Washington. Forty-eight states are in the central part of North America, while the two youngest States, Alaska and Hawaii, are separated. The American Flag is called the Stars and Stripes. In it there are 50 white stars on a blue field, representing the U. S. states, and 13 red and white stripes, representing the thirteen states which formed the USA at the beginning in 1776. The national anthem is The Stars Spangled Banner.

In 1492 Christopher Columbus left from Spain and wanted to go to Asia, instead

In 1492 Christopher Columbus left from Spain and wanted to go to Asia, instead he discovered the New Continent and he thought it was India. For this reason the population was called «Indios» in Spanish, a name which corresponds to Indians in English. During the 16 th and 17 th centuries Spanish settlers (=colonizzatori), followed by French, English and Dutch, arrived in North America to bring Christianity and «civilization» but they wanted to exploit natural resources (=sfruttare le risorse naturali). The English settlers established thirteen colonies on the East coast. The colonies were not represented in the British Parliament, but Britain exploited their resources and imposed taxes.

On December 16, 1773, a group of rebels attacked three East India Company ships

On December 16, 1773, a group of rebels attacked three East India Company ships that carried tea and threw the tea into Boston Harbor. This rebellion is known as the Boston Tea Party. In 1775 they signed the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America, written by Thomas Jefferson, and declared their independence from Britain. 1783 Britain recognized the United States of America as a new state. In 1789 George Washington became the first President of the United States of America.

Washington D. C. is the political capital of the USA. It is on the

Washington D. C. is the political capital of the USA. It is on the East coast, between Maryland Virginia, in the federal territory of the District of Columbia (D. C. ). Its population is about 600, 000. It was founded at the end of the 18 th century and takes his name from the first President of the USA, George Washington. He wanted to found a capital city independent of the northern and southern states of the Union to avoid conflicts. Washington is the seat of the US Capitol (the meeting place of the American Congress) the White House (the residence of the President of the USA) and of FBI. Washington offers many cultural attractions, museums and historical places such as the National Archives, where the Declaration of Indipendence and the U. S. Constitution are kept.

New York City has more than 8 million inhabitants and is the financial and

New York City has more than 8 million inhabitants and is the financial and cultural capital of the USA. It is known as «The Big Apple» because it offers many opportunities to people who work there. Another nickname is «The City that Never Sleeps» , because of its frantic (=frenetica) and exciting life, night and day. New York is also called «The Melting Pot» because it is a multiethnic and multicultural city, where about 200 languages are spoken ! People from all over the world arrived in the USA to find a job. Immigrants of the same group settled together in a neighbourhood TO PRESERVE their cultural identity. The most popular neighborhoods are Chinatown, Little Italy, Greenwich Village, Soho and Harlem. New York City is divided into five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island The Bronx. Manhattan is the heart of New York City and there is the highest concentration in the world of restaurants, hotels, museums and theaters. Fifth Avenue, with its elegant buildings and shops, is one of the most famous streets in the world. Another famous place is Times Square, the heart of theater district, Broadway. In the financial district Wall Street there is the most important Stock Exchange (= Borsa) in the world. Central Park, the «lungs» (= polmoni) of the city, is the largest park in New York, very popular all over the world. The Empire State Building is one of the highest skyscrapers (=grattacieli) in the world.

Los Angeles, whose original name was «El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de

Los Angeles, whose original name was «El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de Los Angeles» , is the largest city in California and the second most populated in the USA, after New York. Two nicknames for Los Angeles are «The City of Angels» or «L. A. » Los Angeles is a multiethnic city, with groups of Latin. American, Asian and European origins. Hollywood is the most famous area of Los Angeles. It became the centre of the world movie industry from the 1920’s to the 1940’s. Since 1929 every year a golden statue is assigned to the best film directors, actors, technicians and film writers: The Academy Award of Merit, also known as «Oscar» . Oscar The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a long walkway with over 2, 400 stars made of brass (=ottone) dedicated to celebrities of the entertainment (=intrattentimento) industry.

San Francisco is situated in North California. It’s called the «City of the Bay»

San Francisco is situated in North California. It’s called the «City of the Bay» and is also famous for its more than 50 hills (=colline). San Francisco is one of the most visited cities in the world, and has many attractions: old cable cars, Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street and Alcatraz. San Francisco took its name in the 18 th century by Spanish settlers, who named it after Saint Francis of Assisi. It grew rapidly after the Gold Rush when gold was found in 1848. Near San Francisco is Silicon Valley, which hosts a very high concentration of industries specialized in Information and Communication Technology such as Apple, Apple Google, Yahoo, ebay and HP. HP

Chicago is the largest city in the state of Illinois, it is the third

Chicago is the largest city in the state of Illinois, it is the third most populous American city and of the most important cities in the north of the USA. It is also known as The Windy City. Ø It is situated on Lake Michigan. Ø The name Chicago derives from the French version of the Native American word shikaakwa, which means «wild onion» or «wild garlic» . Ø The Latin motto of Chicago is Urbs in Orto, which means «City in a Garden» . Ø In Chicago there are 552 parks, of which the largest is Lincoln Park. Ø There also a lot of sandy beaches on the lake. Ø In Chicago there are the two tallest buildings in the United States: the Sears Tower (442 meters, 108 floors) and the Trump Hotel and Tower (98 floors, 423 meters).

Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas is in the Nevada desert. It is considered the

Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas is in the Nevada desert. It is considered the city where «dreams become reality and the party never stops» . For this reason it is called the «Entertainment Capital of the World» . It has attracted many people and has become a rich city since divorce and gambing (gioco d’azzardo) were legalized. Today, the «Sin City» attracts millions of tourists every year for its casinos , hotels and shops and lighting displays. About 500 couples get married each day in Las Vegas, all you need is a driver’s license or passport and about US$ 55. 00 to get a marriage license in 20 minutes!

SOME AMERICAN LANDMARKS Niagara Falls – a system of waterfalls between Lake Eire and

SOME AMERICAN LANDMARKS Niagara Falls – a system of waterfalls between Lake Eire and Lake Ontario which form the border between the New York State and Ontario, Canada. They are an important source of hydroelectric power. Boston (Massachusetts) is one of the oldest cities in the USA, where the Boston Tea Party took place and near where we may find one of the world’s most prestigious universities: Harvard University Mount Rushmore (South Dakota) where the heads of four famous American Presidents are carved: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln.

50 Capitals for 50 States

50 Capitals for 50 States