The United States of America (USA), often referred to as the United States or simply America, is a federal republic made up of 50 states, the capital district of Washington, D.C., five major self-governing territories, and several smaller island possessions. The mainland U.S. consists of 48 adjoining states plus Washington, D.C., positioned in North America between Canada to the north and Mexico to the south. Alaska sits in the far northwest of the continent, sharing a border with Canada and lying across the Bering Strait from Russia. Hawaii, on the other hand, is a chain of islands located in the central Pacific Ocean.
The U.S. is the third-largest country in the world in terms of both landmass and population, with more than 340 million residents. It also holds the world’s second-largest exclusive economic zone. Among the states, California, Texas, and Florida have the biggest populations, while the country’s most prominent metropolitan areas include New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
The first people to settle in North America were Paleo-Indians, who are believed to have crossed from Siberia into the continent via the Bering Land Bridge more than 12,000 years ago. European arrival began in the 1500s, with the Spanish creating the earliest enduring settlement in what is now Florida in 1513. The British later established colonies along the Atlantic coast, beginning with Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607—one of the original Thirteen Colonies. As farming grew across these colonies, enslaved Africans were forcibly transported and exploited for labor.
Disputes over taxation, representation, and governance eventually caused friction between the colonies and the British Crown, sparking the American Revolution. On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress formally announced independence, and the Revolutionary War (1775–1783) ultimately secured the creation of the United States. Throughout the 1800s, the young nation expanded westward, often forcing Native American communities from their homelands. Conflict over the institution of slavery divided the Northern and Southern states, leading Southern states to form the Confederacy and triggering the American Civil War in 1861. The Union’s victory in 1865 reunited the country and abolished slavery.
By the early 1900s, the United States had risen to global influence, strengthened by its involvement in World War I. The attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 drew the country into World War II. After the war, the United States and the Soviet Union emerged as rival superpowers, entering the Cold War—an era defined by political, military, and ideological competition rather than direct conflict. The Cold War concluded when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, leaving the United States as the world’s leading superpower.
The United States is governed as a presidential constitutional republic with a federal structure that distributes power between national and state governments. Authority is shared among three branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial. Congress, the legislative body, is divided into the House of Representatives—based on population—and the Senate, where each state has equal representation. The country’s political foundations draw heavily from Enlightenment principles.
Economically, the U.S. is one of the most advanced nations on the globe. It has held the world’s largest nominal GDP since the late 1800s and represented more than 15% of the global economy in 2023. It is widely recognized for technological innovation, top-tier universities, human rights standards, and economic competitiveness, though wealth and income inequality continue to pose challenges. The United States has significant global influence through both its military strength and cultural impact. It is a founding member of multiple major international organizations—including the United Nations, NATO, the World Bank, and the Organization of American States—and holds a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
Etymology
The full name “United States of America” first appeared in a letter dated January 2, 1776, written by Stephen Moylan, an aide to General George Washington, in which he expressed a desire to travel to Spain as a representative of the "United States of America" to seek support for the Revolution. Its earliest known public appearance came shortly after, in an anonymous essay printed in The Virginia Gazette on April 6, 1776. By June of that year, the name was officially included in both the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation. When the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration on July 4, 1776, the name became firmly established.
Today, “United States” and “U.S.” are commonly used in both noun and adjective form, including within government usage, which applies specific style rules for each. “USA” is frequently used informally. People outside the country often refer to it simply as “the States,” while “stateside” is used as a related adjective or adverb.
The word “America” comes from the Latinized version of Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci’s name—Americus Vespucius. German mapmakers Martin Waldseemüller and Matthias Ringmann first applied the term to the New World in 1507. Vespucci was among the earliest to claim that the lands reached by Christopher Columbus in 1492 were not part of Asia but belonged to a separate continent. In English, the word “America” is now mostly associated with the United States, even though “the Americas” refers to North and South America as a whole.
History
Indigenous Peoples
The earliest known settlers of North America arrived from Siberia more than 12,000 years ago, either by crossing the Bering Land Bridge or via coastal migration routes now submerged. The Clovis culture, emerging around 11,000 BC, is recognized as the first widespread civilization in the region. Over time, Indigenous societies evolved in sophistication, with several developing advanced systems of agriculture, architecture, and governance. Among them, the Mississippian culture became particularly prominent across the midwestern, eastern, and southern areas, while the Algonquian peoples were established throughout the Great Lakes region and along the Eastern Seaboard. In the southwest, the Hohokam and Ancestral Puebloans flourished. Estimates of the pre-Columbian Native American population in the territory of the modern United States range from 500,000 to almost 10 million.
European Exploration, Colonization, and Conflict (1513–1765)
European expansion into the Americas began after Christopher Columbus’s voyages in 1492. Spain established the first colonial foothold in what would become the United States with the claim of Spanish Florida in 1513, eventually founding the first permanent European settlement at St. Augustine in 1565. France attempted to colonize French Florida in 1562, but its settlements were abandoned or destroyed by Spanish forces. Permanent French colonies later emerged around the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River basin, and the Gulf of Mexico, including the founding of New Orleans in 1718. The Dutch and Swedish also established settlements, such as New Netherland (1626) and New Sweden (1638). British colonization began with the establishment of the Virginia Colony in 1607, followed by the Plymouth Colony in 1620. Early governance frameworks such as the Mayflower Compact and the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut shaped emerging systems of self-rule. Relations between European settlers and Native Americans alternated between conflict and cooperation, though colonists often imposed European customs and Christianity on Indigenous peoples. The Atlantic slave trade led to the forced transportation of enslaved Africans to labor in the colonies, particularly along the East Coast.
The Thirteen Colonies that would later form the United States remained under British administration but developed their own political institutions, with voting rights extended to most white male property owners. The colonial population grew rapidly and by the 1770s exceeded that of Native Americans. Geographic distance from Britain encouraged greater autonomy, while the First Great Awakening fostered a culture of religious freedom and reform.
American Revolution and the Early Republic (1765–1800)
Following Britain’s triumph in the French and Indian War, increased imperial control and taxation over the colonies sparked widespread opposition. Key grievances included taxation without representation and violations of traditional English rights. The First Continental Congress convened in 1774, coordinating a boycott of British goods. Armed conflict began with the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, marking the start of the American Revolutionary War. The Second Continental Congress appointed George Washington as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and assigned Thomas Jefferson to draft the Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776. The Revolution was guided by principles of liberty, individual rights, popular sovereignty, republicanism, and resistance to corruption—ideas influenced by classical, Renaissance, and Enlightenment philosophies.
The Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781, established a loose confederation of states that lasted until 1789. The Treaty of Paris (1783) formally acknowledged American independence and granted the United States territory extending to the Mississippi River. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 created a framework for the admission of new states. The U.S. Constitution, drafted in 1787 and implemented in 1789, established a federal system with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches to ensure checks and balances. George Washington became the first president under the new Constitution, and the Bill of Rights was adopted in 1791 to safeguard individual liberties. Washington’s leadership—particularly his resignation as commander-in-chief and his decision not to seek a third presidential term—set lasting precedents for civilian authority and peaceful political transition.
Westward Expansion and the Civil War (1800–1865)
The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 nearly doubled the nation’s size and opened vast lands to the west. Ongoing friction with Britain resulted in the War of 1812, which concluded without a decisive victory for either side. In 1819, Spain transferred Florida and its Gulf Coast territories to the United States. Throughout this period, the idea of Manifest Destiny encouraged Americans to push westward, often at the expense of Indigenous peoples. To ease tensions over the spread of slavery, the Missouri Compromise of 1820 admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, while prohibiting slavery north of the 36°30′ line across the Louisiana Purchase territory.
Westward settlement intensified pressure on Native American lands. Federal policies promoted removal and forced assimilation, culminating in the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which displaced nearly 60,000 Indigenous people. This tragic relocation—known as the Trail of Tears—resulted in thousands of deaths. The United States continued territorial expansion with the annexation of Texas in 1845, the Oregon Treaty of 1846 securing the Pacific Northwest, and victory in the Mexican–American War (1846–1848). The Mexican Cession added regions that later became California, Nevada, Utah, and portions of Colorado and the Southwest. The California Gold Rush (1848–1849) drew massive waves of migrants and escalated violence against Indigenous communities, including events recognized as the California genocide.
Debates over slavery deepened national divisions as new territories joined the Union. The Fugitive Slave Act (1850), the Kansas–Nebraska Act (1854), and the Dred Scott decision (1857) heightened sectional conflict. In 1861, eleven Southern states seceded and formed the Confederacy, sparking the American Civil War. The conflict began with the attack on Fort Sumter. President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation (1863) declared enslaved people in Confederate states free, prompting many to enlist in the Union Army. Union successes at Vicksburg and Gettysburg in 1863 marked key turning points, ultimately leading to the Confederate surrender at Appomattox Court House in 1865. The Reconstruction era followed, focused on rebuilding the South and securing civil rights for formerly enslaved people through constitutional amendments.
Post–Civil War Transformation (1865–1917)
Between 1865 and 1917, the United States underwent rapid change. Over 24 million immigrants—mainly from Europe—arrived, many settling in major cities such as New York or in the Midwestern states. The Great Migration saw millions of African Americans relocate from the rural South to Northern cities in search of better opportunities. In 1867, the U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia.
The end of Reconstruction came with the Compromise of 1877, which returned political power in the South to white supremacist leaders. African Americans soon faced segregated schools, discriminatory laws, sundown towns, and violent racism. In 1896, the Supreme Court’s Plessy v. Ferguson ruling legalized segregation under the doctrine of “separate but equal.”
The late 19th and early 20th centuries brought swift industrial growth, fueled by new technology and inexpensive immigrant labor. Industrial giants such as John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie built enormous fortunes, but inequality and labor unrest intensified. The Progressive Era introduced reforms to address corruption, unsafe working conditions, and economic inequality.
The U.S. also expanded its global presence. Hawaii was annexed in 1898, and victory in the Spanish–American War brought control of Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam. American Samoa was acquired in 1900, and the U.S. Virgin Islands were bought from Denmark in 1917.
Emergence as a Global Power (1917–1945)
The United States entered World War I in 1917, contributing significantly to the Allied victory. The 1920s saw notable technological progress, including the rise of radio and early television, but the era ended with the Stock Market Crash of 1929, triggering the Great Depression. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal introduced economic and social programs aimed at recovery, reform, and relief.
The U.S. initially adopted a stance of non-involvement during World War II, but the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 prompted its entry. The United States led major Allied operations, developed the first atomic bombs, and used them on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, bringing the war to an end. The country emerged as a dominant global leader, shaping post-war international institutions and security frameworks.
The Cold War Era (1945–1991)
After World War II, the U.S. entered into a prolonged geopolitical standoff with the Soviet Union known as the Cold War. American foreign policy centered on containing communism, while at home, major social change unfolded. The Civil Rights Movement, led by figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., challenged racial segregation and discrimination. President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “Great Society” programs sought to reduce poverty and expand civil rights.
The period also saw cultural shifts, including the counterculture movement of the 1960s and widespread protests against the Vietnam War. A landmark moment in space exploration came in 1969, when the U.S. achieved the first crewed Moon landing. The Cold War concluded with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, leaving the United States as the world’s sole superpower.
Modern United States (1991–Present)
The 1990s were characterized by economic expansion, technological progress, and falling crime rates. Major achievements included the Human Genome Project and the rapid growth of the internet. In 1991, the U.S. led an international coalition during the Gulf War to drive Iraqi forces out of Kuwait.
The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks reshaped U.S. foreign and domestic policy, initiating the War on Terror and military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Great Recession (2007–2008) caused severe economic hardship and was the most significant downturn since the 1930s. Political polarization deepened throughout the 2010s, culminating in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, an attempt to overturn the 2020 election results. In 2021, the U.S. completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan, concluding America’s longest war.
Geography of the United States
The United States is the world’s third-largest nation by total area, after Russia and Canada. The 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C., cover about 3.1 million square miles (8.08 million km²). The country’s landscapes are highly diverse, ranging from the Atlantic coastal plains and the Appalachian Mountains to the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountains, and the Pacific coastline. The Mississippi River system, one of the world’s longest, runs through the country’s central regions, while the Grand Canyon—carved by the Colorado River—is among its most iconic natural wonders.
The mountain ranges of the West include the Rocky Mountains, home to some of the nation’s highest peaks, notably Denali in Alaska, the tallest point in North America at 20,310 feet (6,190.5 meters). The Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range line the Pacific Coast, while the Great Basin and deserts such as the Mojave and Sonoran dominate the Southwest. The Yellowstone Caldera in the Rockies stands as the continent’s largest volcanic system.
The U.S. encompasses a wide range of climates—humid continental in the north, humid subtropical in the south, semi-arid across the Great Plains, arid in the Southwest, Mediterranean in California, and tropical in Hawaii and parts of Florida. The nation experiences frequent extreme weather, including tornadoes, hurricanes, and heat waves, with such events increasing in intensity in the 21st century.
Biodiversity and Conservation
The United States is recognized as one of the world’s 17 megadiverse nations, with a remarkable range of ecosystems and species found nowhere else on earth. Its natural heritage includes roughly 17,000 species of vascular plants, along with 428 mammals, 784 bird species, 311 reptiles, 295 amphibians, and an estimated 91,000 insect species. The bald eagle, adopted as the national bird in 1782, remains an enduring emblem of the country’s ecological richness.
Conservation is supported through an extensive network of protected areas, including 63 national parks and hundreds of federally managed forests, wildlife refuges, and wilderness reserves overseen by agencies such as the National Park Service. Approximately 28% of U.S. land is publicly owned—most of it concentrated in the western states—and much of this land benefits from federal conservation safeguards. Despite these efforts, the country continues to confront major environmental challenges, including habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and declining biodiversity. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) leads federal initiatives to address these issues, while the Endangered Species Act of 1973 remains a cornerstone of national wildlife protection policy.
As of 2024, the U.S. ranked 35th out of 180 countries on the Environmental Performance Index, a reflection of both progress made and the environmental work that remains.
Government and Politics
The United States is a federal republic made up of 50 states, a federal capital district (Washington, D.C.), and several territories and island possessions. It is the world’s oldest functioning federation and has served as a model for many constitutional democracies. The system is a liberal representative democracy, where the majority’s will is balanced by laws that safeguard minority rights. The U.S. Constitution—the nation’s supreme legal authority—establishes the core framework of governance and defines the structure and powers of its political institutions.
Structure of the Federal Government
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the federal government consists of three co-equal branches, each designed to limit the power of the others through a system of checks and balances:
Legislative Branch
The U.S. Congress is a bicameral legislature composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate includes 100 members—two from each state—while the House has 435 members, apportioned according to population. Congress is responsible for crafting federal laws, approving budgets, declaring war, ratifying treaties, and exercising oversight over the executive branch through investigative authority and subpoena power.
Executive Branch
The President serves as head of state, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and chief executor of federal policy. Presidential duties include vetoing or signing legislation, appointing members of the Cabinet and federal judiciary (subject to Senate confirmation), and issuing executive orders. The President and Vice President are elected together via the Electoral College and may serve a maximum of two four-year terms.
Judicial Branch
The federal judiciary encompasses the Supreme Court, the Courts of Appeals, and District Courts. The Supreme Court, consisting of nine justices, interprets federal law and can nullify legislation or executive actions deemed unconstitutional. Federal judges are appointed for life by the president with Senate approval, ensuring judicial independence.
Political Parties
While the U.S. Constitution makes no reference to political parties, they began to form in the late 18th century and now play a defining role in American politics. The country functions under a de facto two-party system, led by the Democratic Party (typically associated with liberal policies) and the Republican Party (generally aligned with conservative views).
Subnational Government
The U.S. federal system divides authority between the national government and the states. Each state has its own constitution, legal system, and elected government, and states are further subdivided into counties and municipalities. Washington, D.C. is a federal district and does not belong to any state. Additionally, there are 326 federally recognized Indian reservations, governed by Native American tribes with varying degrees of sovereignty.
Foreign Relations
The United States maintains extensive diplomatic ties and has the world’s second-largest diplomatic corps. It is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and hosts the United Nations headquarters in New York City. The U.S. belongs to major international organizations, including the G7, G20, and OECD.
It enjoys particularly close ties with the United Kingdom—often referred to as a “Special Relationship”—as well as strong partnerships with Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Israel, and countries across the European Union. The U.S. is a leading member of NATO and participates in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue with Australia, India, and Japan. It is a key defense supporter of Taiwan and has strengthened strategic cooperation with India, while relations with China have become increasingly strained. Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. has been one of Ukraine’s most significant military and diplomatic supporters.
Military
The United States Armed Forces constitute the most powerful military in the world. In 2023, U.S. defense spending totaled $916 billion, representing 37% of global military expenditure. The military is composed of six branches: the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. The Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, functions as the headquarters of the Department of Defense.
The U.S. maintains a network of roughly 800 overseas military bases across more than 25 nations. It also holds 42% of the world’s nuclear arsenal, the second-largest stockpile after Russia.
Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice
The United States has a highly decentralized law enforcement framework, comprising nearly 18,000 police agencies at local, state, and federal levels. Key federal bodies include the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Marshals Service, which oversee national security, enforce federal law, and protect the federal judiciary.
The criminal justice system is similarly fragmented, with separate systems for federal prisons, state prisons, local jails, and juvenile facilities. As of 2023, nearly 2 million individuals were incarcerated nationwide, giving the U.S. the sixth-highest incarceration rate in the world. The country also experiences elevated levels of gun violence compared with other high-income nations.
The U.S. system of government is defined by a deliberate balance of power, a strong commitment to individual rights, and a complex web of domestic institutions and international alliances that shape its role on the global stage.
Economy
The United States has held the position of the world’s largest economy in nominal GDP since the late 19th century. In 2023, its economy surpassed $27 trillion, representing over 25% of global GDP. The country hosts 136 of the world’s 500 highest-revenue corporations—more than any other nation—and the U.S. dollar remains the dominant global reserve and trade currency, supported by its economic strength, military influence, and the petrodollar system. The United States participates in multiple free trade agreements, most notably the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), and ranked second in the 2019 Global Competitiveness Report.
Although now primarily a service-driven, post-industrial economy, the U.S. remains a global industrial powerhouse, ranking second in manufacturing output, behind China. New York City is home to the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, the world’s largest stock markets by market capitalization and trading volume. The country is also a leader in innovation, especially in artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, electronics, and advanced technology.
The U.S. economy benefits from abundant natural resources, strong infrastructure, and high workforce productivity. Major trading partners include the European Union, Mexico, Canada, China, Japan, and South Korea. The United States is the world’s largest importer, the second-largest exporter, and the leading exporter of services.
Americans enjoy the highest average household income in the OECD, yet income inequality remains pronounced. The top 10% of earners control 72% of the nation’s wealth, while the bottom 50% hold only 2%. The country has the world’s largest number of billionaires and millionaires, with 735 billionaires and approximately 22 million millionaires in 2023. Despite this wealth, issues such as homelessness, poverty, and food insecurity persist—37.9 million people (11.5%) lived below the poverty line in 2022.
Compared to other high-income nations, the U.S. offers a relatively limited welfare system and does not guarantee federally paid vacation or family leave. A high share of low-wage employment is influenced by weak collective bargaining and limited government protections for vulnerable workers.
Science, Technology, Space, and Energy
The United States has been a global center of technological innovation since the late 1800s and a world leader in scientific research since the mid-20th century. It pioneered mass-production systems, including interchangeable machine parts and the assembly line, transforming global manufacturing. The U.S. continues to lead in cutting-edge technology, particularly artificial intelligence, aerospace engineering, biotechnology, and advanced research.
In 2022, the United States ranked second worldwide in scientific publications (after China) and second in patent filings. It placed third in the 2023–2024 Global Innovation Index, following Switzerland and Sweden.
The U.S. space program—led by NASA—has produced historic achievements, most notably the 1969 Apollo 11 Moon landing. NASA continues to direct major projects such as the International Space Station, the James Webb Space Telescope, and Mars exploration missions. American private aerospace companies, including SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Boeing, dominate the commercial space sector globally.
Fossil fuels remain the primary energy source, accounting for 84% of U.S. energy consumption in 2023. Petroleum and natural gas are the main contributors, followed by renewable energy, coal, and nuclear power. Although the U.S. has less than 4% of the global population, it consumes 16% of the world’s energy and is the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases.
Transportation
The United States possesses one of the most extensive transportation networks in the world. Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport ranks as the busiest airport globally, handling more than 75 million passengers in 2021. The Interstate Highway System remains a vital national asset, enabling efficient transport of goods and passengers across the country.
The U.S. rail system—the longest in the world—is primarily used for freight transport. Amtrak provides intercity passenger rail services, with the highest frequency on the Northeast Corridor and select routes in California. The country is also a major automotive hub and home to companies such as Tesla and General Motors. With 910 vehicles per 1,000 people, the United States has the highest vehicle ownership rate globally.
Public transit availability varies widely. Major metropolitan areas, including New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, offer extensive subway, bus, and light-rail systems, while suburban and rural regions largely depend on private vehicles.
Demographics
Population
As of 2024, the United States is the third-most populous nation, with an estimated 340.1 million people, reflecting a 2.6% increase since the 2020 Census. The population grows by approximately 5,400 individuals per day, or a net gain of one person every 16 seconds. The U.S. is one of the world’s most ethnically diverse countries, with 37 ancestry groups exceeding one million people.
The nation’s largest racial and ethnic groups are:
In 2023, the U.S. fertility rate was 1.6 children per woman, and 23% of children lived in single-parent households—the highest rate globally.
Language
English is the most widely used language in the U.S., although no official language exists at the federal level. English is embedded in government processes, including naturalization, and is designated the official language in most states. Several states and territories recognize additional languages—such as Hawaiian in Hawaii, Native languages in Alaska, and Spanish in Puerto Rico. The U.S. is home to 169 Indigenous languages.
According to the 2020 American Community Survey:
245.4 million people spoke only English at home
41.2 million spoke Spanish
Other commonly spoken languages include Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Arabic, French, Korean, and Russian.
Immigration
The United States hosts the largest immigrant population in the world. In 2022, immigrants and their U.S.-born children totaled 87.7 million, accounting for 27% of the population. In 2017:
45% were naturalized citizens
27% were lawful permanent residents
6% were temporary residents
23% were undocumented immigrants
Top countries of origin include Mexico (24%), India (6%), China (5%), the Philippines (4.5%), and El Salvador (3%).
More than one million people gained legal permanent residence in FY 2022, mostly through family-based immigration. The United States also resettled 100,034 refugees in FY 2024, the highest number worldwide.
Religion
The U.S. is one of the most religiously diverse nations, protected by the First Amendment, which ensures freedom of religion and prohibits a state religion.
2023 Gallup survey of religious identity:
Protestant – 33%
Catholic – 22%
Other Christian (non-specific) – 11%
Jewish – 2%
Mormon – 1%
Other religions – 6%
Unaffiliated – 22%
Undeclared – 3%
The U.S. has the largest Christian population globally. Religious practice varies regionally—Evangelical Christianity is prevalent in the Bible Belt, while New England and the West Coast tend to be more secular. Mormonism is the dominant faith in Utah.
Urbanization
Approximately 82% of Americans live in urban or suburban areas, with half residing in cities of more than 50,000 inhabitants. In 2022, 333 cities had populations exceeding 100,000, and nine cities surpassed one million residents. Rapid urban growth is especially visible across the South and West.
The 10 largest metropolitan areas (2023):
New York – 19.5 million
Los Angeles – 12.8 million
Chicago – 9.3 million
Dallas–Fort Worth – 8.1 million
Houston – 7.5 million
Atlanta – 6.3 million
Washington, D.C. – 6.3 million
Philadelphia – 6.2 million
Miami – 6.2 million
Phoenix – 5.1 million
Health
In 2023, U.S. life expectancy rose to 78.4 years—75.8 for men and 81.1 for women—an improvement attributed to lower mortality from COVID-19, heart disease, accidental injuries, cancer, and diabetes. Despite high healthcare expenditure, the U.S. continues to trail other developed nations in life expectancy and health outcomes.
Roughly one-third of adults are obese, and another third are overweight. The United States also reports one of the highest suicide rates among wealthy countries. The healthcare system is the most expensive in the world and not universally accessible, leaving many residents without insurance.
Government programs such as Medicaid (for low-income individuals) and Medicare (for those 65+) provide coverage for eligible groups. The Affordable Care Act (2010) expanded insurance access, though debates over healthcare affordability and abortion laws remain significant. As of recent legislation, 17 states have enacted strict abortion limits or bans.
The Texas Medical Center in Houston is the largest medical complex on the planet, employing around 120,000 professionals and serving 10 million patients annually.
Education
Education in the United States is highly decentralized. While the federal government—through the U.S. Department of Education—sets broad policies and ensures compliance with civil rights standards, state, territorial, and local authorities are primarily responsible for managing kindergarten through Grade 12. Most children begin school at age five or six and remain enrolled until age 18, though certain states allow students to leave school at 16 or 17.
The United States invests more money per student than any other nation, spending an average of $18,614 per public K–12 student during the 2020–2021 academic year. Educational attainment is generally high: 92.2% of adults aged 25 and older have completed high school, 62.7% have pursued some form of college education, 37.7% hold a bachelor’s degree, and 14.2% possess a postgraduate qualification. Literacy rates remain near-universal, and the country leads the world in Nobel Prize recipients, with 411 laureates.
American higher education is internationally renowned, with 19 of the top 25 global universities located in the U.S. Public universities—such as the University of Virginia—enroll the majority of college students, accounting for roughly 77% of total enrollment, while private institutions educate around 20%. Community colleges offer affordable two-year programs that often serve as a pathway to four-year degrees. The nation spends significantly more per higher-education student than the OECD average. However, rising tuition costs have contributed to a rapid increase in student debt, which surpassed $1.7 trillion in 2022.
Culture and Society
American culture is rooted in a shared commitment to the “American Creed”—a belief in liberty, equality, democratic values, and limited government. Core cultural principles include individualism, personal independence, a strong work ethic, competitiveness, and voluntary civic service. Americans consistently rank among the most charitable people in the world, donating a higher share of GDP to philanthropy than any other nation.
The U.S. is a culturally diverse society shaped by centuries of immigration, resulting in a mixture of traditions, customs, and identities that have influenced global culture in areas such as music, film, fashion, and technology. The idea of the American Dream—that success is attainable through hard work—continues to attract immigrants, though ongoing debates question the reality of upward mobility across socioeconomic groups. While national narratives often highlight social equality, researchers note clear class-based differences that influence lifestyle, values, communication, and opportunity.
The country supports cultural development through the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities, established in 1965. Its agencies—the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, Institute of Museum and Library Services, and Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities—promote and preserve American heritage.
The United States is known for strong protections of free speech, guaranteed under the First Amendment. This includes protection for controversial or offensive expression, such as criticism of religion or the government. Americans overwhelmingly support press freedom, open internet access, and diverse forms of artistic expression. Socially, the U.S. is considered progressive, especially regarding LGBTQ+ rights and attitudes toward sexuality.
Literature
American literature developed from colonial and Enlightenment influences, with early figures like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine helping shape both political and literary life. The 19th century marked the emergence of a distinctly American voice, led by authors such as Mark Twain, often described as the father of American literature, and influential poets including Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson.
The early 20th century saw the Harlem Renaissance, a significant cultural movement celebrating African-American creativity and identity, which later inspired international movements like Négritude. Today, American literature is diverse, innovative, and reflective of the nation’s multicultural experience. As of 2024, 12 American writers have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Mass Media
The United States hosts one of the world’s most expansive and influential media industries, largely protected from government censorship by the First Amendment. Major broadcast networks—NBC, CBS, ABC, and Fox—shape national television, while cable TV offers hundreds of specialized channels. National Public Radio (NPR) remains a key source of news and cultural programming.
The country is home to some of the world’s most prominent newspapers, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post. The U.S. also leads the global video-game industry in revenue, with California alone hosting over 400 developers and publishers.
Theater
New York City serves as the heart of American theater, especially its famed Theater District, which houses Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway venues. Many acclaimed film and television performers launched their careers on the New York stage. Excellence in theater is honored annually at the Tony Awards, which celebrate achievements in Broadway productions, acting, and regional theater.
Visual Arts
American visual art has evolved from early colonial folk traditions into influential modern and contemporary movements. Key milestones include the Hudson River School, known for romantic landscapes, and the 1913 Armory Show, which introduced modernism to American audiences. Renowned artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Jackson Pollock, and Andy Warhol have shaped global art culture. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is the largest art museum in the country and the fourth largest worldwide.
Music
The United States is a global musical powerhouse, having given rise to genres such as blues, jazz, country, rock, hip-hop, and R&B. Artists like Louis Armstrong, Bob Dylan, and Beyoncé have had lasting international impact. The U.S. is the world’s largest music market, and most major record labels are headquartered there.
Fashion
American fashion is known for its versatility, casual style, and trend-setting influence. Staples such as jeans, sneakers, hoodies, and baseball caps originated or rose to prominence in the U.S. New York City is regarded as a global fashion capital, hosting New York Fashion Week and the world-famous Met Gala. The United States remains the largest apparel market in the world, with numerous high-end brands based in Manhattan.
Cinema
The center of the American film industry is Hollywood, which has shaped worldwide entertainment for more than a century. Major film studios produce many of the highest-grossing movies globally. Prestigious award ceremonies—including the Academy Awards (Oscars) and Golden Globes—recognize excellence in film. The rise of streaming platforms has transformed media consumption, making American content more accessible worldwide.
Cuisine
American cuisine draws from Indigenous, European, African, and immigrant culinary traditions, resulting in a rich and varied food culture. Classic American dishes include apple pie, hamburgers, fried chicken, and Thanksgiving turkey. The restaurant industry plays a major economic role, employing over 15 million people. The U.S. is also a significant wine producer, led by California, which ranks among the world’s top wine regions.
Sports
The most followed sports in the United States include American football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and ice hockey. The National Football League (NFL) commands the largest audiences, and the Super Bowl is one of the most-watched sporting events on the planet. The U.S. has hosted the Olympic Games eight times and is set to welcome the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. American athletes have earned more Olympic medals than any other nation.
In global soccer, both the U.S. men’s and women’s national teams have achieved notable success—the women’s team, in particular, has won multiple FIFA World Cups and Olympic titles. The United States will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico.
On Black Tuesday, 29 October 1929, 16 million shares were sold on the Stock Market in Wall Street and the US economy collapsed completely (CCEA). - BBC Bitesize. (2024, July 2). BBC Bitesize.https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zmjmywx
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