AREA GUIDE - USA
As the third largest country in the world after Russia and China, the USA’s vast territory covers an area of over 9.6 million sq. km (3.7 million square miles) and consists of 50 states with several dependent territories. The USA is bordered in the north by Canada, in the south by Mexico and to the east and west by the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans respectively. The state of Alaska is flanked by the Arctic Ocean and Canada, while Hawaii nestles in the warmth of the Pacific Ocean.
The climate of the USA is governed by the geography and vastness of the country and unsurprisingly every type of global climate can be found here. On the east coast and around the Great Lakes, the climate is temperate with warm wet summers. Further west on the plains or prairies, the climate is more arid and extreme while in Nevada and the southwest, there is a typically dry desert environment. California boasts a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and winter rain while the southern areas of Florida and Louisiana are sub-tropical. Between Hawaii and Alaska the largest climatic contrasts are outstanding: Hawaii with its lush, tropical setting and Alaska with its Arctic climate and freezing winters.
The original inhabitants of the USA were the native Americans who throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries came increasingly into conflict with the European settlers as they pushed further west in their quest for land. The biggest crisis for the native Americans arose through the decimation of the buffalo population that was shot out during the building of the railways to the west. They depended on buffaloes for food and clothing and soon became weakened, losing their land to the settlers.
The settlement policy of the USA started with the Pilgrim Fathers and welcomed all who had suffered from persecution in Europe. The USA started life as a British Colony, but in the war of 1775 to 1783 the Americans fought for, and won, their independence from Britain. Later the Civil War was fought to abolish slavery, amongst other factors and the USA took its first steps to becoming the large multicultural and multiracial mix it is today.
Today the USA is one of the most prosperous nations in the world and has a large population with every ethnic mix conceivable. Immigration to the USA is not as easy as it once was and a strict quota system applies. For those wanting to live and work in the USA, a Green Card is essential and as there are various routes to obtaining one of these. We recommend you employ the services of a professional who can advise you on the best route for your circumstances.
Information Required When Travelling to the USA
Visas: |
European Union citizens travelling to the USA are part of the Visa Waiver Programme provided they conform with the following conditions:
Further information on passport requirements is available on the US Department of State web site: http://travel.state.gov/ Different visas are required for those looking to reside in the USA and the above web site will give you the necessary information. |
Vaccinations: |
No vaccinations are necessary for those entering the USA, under the visa waiver programme. |
Time Zone: |
Several time zones span the USA :
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Electricity: |
110 – 120 V 60 Hz |
Weights and Measures: |
All weights and measures are imperial with the exception of liquids. The USA gallon is smaller than the imperial measure. |
Tel. Dialling Code: |
00 + 1 + area code + phone number |
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