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BACKGROUND
Country Description
Basis Of Government
Election Process
History Of Events
Historical Documents
History Of Wars
Past Presidents
Making Laws
Citizenship
National Accounts
Banking And Currency
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Branches Of Government
The Executive
The Legislative
The Judicial
Independent Agencies
The Right To Lobby
THE 50 SOVEREIGN STATES
Details of 50 Sovereign States, Maps, Regulations, Harbors and Airports...
THE TERRITORIES
A list of Territories ...

Specials
A visual tour of America
View the National Monuments
Important Symbols of America
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION

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COUNTRY DESCRIPTION

The United States of America is located on the continent of North America . There are 50 States in total, 48 within the North American continent. To the northwest of Canada is the state of Alaska . The state of Hawaii is located in the Pacific Ocean , southwest of California . The U.S. borders on Canada to the north, and Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. On the east cost, the U.S. is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean , and on the west coast it is bordered by the Pacific Ocean .

In addition to the 50 states, the U.S. has several territories and possessions, located in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean .

Capital City Washington , D.C.
National Independence July 4, 1776
Motto In God We Trust
Largest Cities

New York , Los Angeles , Chicago , Houston , Philadelphia , San Diego , Detroit , Dallas , Phoenix , San Antonio

Largest State Alaska
Smallest State Rhode Island
Population 281,421,908 (2000 Census)
Land Area 3,615,123 sq. mi. (9,375,720 sq. km.)
National Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner
National Bird The Bald Eagle
National Flower The Rose

The Capital, Washington , D.C.

VIEW THE CAPITAL

New York City was the first capital of the United States once the Constitution was ratified. This is where Congress (that was formed under the Articles of Confederation) met. It is also where George Washington took the oath of office from the balcony of the old City Hall to become the first President of the United States.

One of the issues the President had to deal with was a permanent location for the country's seat of government. As part of a compromise, it was decided that the capital would move to Philadelphia , Pennsylvania in 1791 for ten years and then to a suitable permanent location on the Potomac River . Washington chose an area that included land from the states of Maryland and Virginia . At this time the area was primarily farm and marsh lands. Nevertheless, Congress was scheduled to meet in the new capital on the first Monday in December 1800.

Pierre Charles L'Enfant was hired to design the " Federal City " and within three months the plans were completed. Problems had to be overcome, but on June 11, 1800 , Philadelphia was no longer the seat of government. The capital of the United States now had a permanent home in Washington , D.C.

  EXPERIENCE AMERICA - TAKE THE TOUR (please turn on sound)

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

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