GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE USA

The United States of America was formed by emigrants in 1382. The USA consists of 50 states. Washington, the capital of the United States is situated on the Potomac River in the District of Columbia. The district is a piece of land which doesn't belong to any state but to all the states. All these states are sovereign. The USA occupies a large territory and is situated in the central and southern part of North America. The USA is washed by the Atlantic Ocean in the east and by the Pacific Ocean in the west. In the north, the USA borders on Canada and in the south - on Mexico.

The USA is divided into three areas: Eastern area is a highland, central area is a plain and Western area is mountains including the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada. There are great lakes in the northern part of the USA. There are: Huron, Michigan, Ontario and Erie. They are connected by fast rivers. Mississippi together with its tributary Missouri is the longest river in the world.. The world’s most famous waterfall called Niagara Fall is also located in the country. Mountains range across the country from north to south and don't protect it against cold air from the north and the warm one from the south. The USA has a continental climate.

The USA is a highly developed industrial country. Large deposits of oil, coal, iron ore and other minerals are the solid base for the development of Americans industry. Heavy industry, which includes such branches as the mining, metallurgical, engineering, chemical, aircraft and automobile, prevails in the USA. The country has also well-developed light and food industries. Both animal breeding and farming are very important for the economy of the USA.

Under the Constitution, the federal government is divided into three branches. The Congress is vested with the legislative power and made up of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. There are 435 members in the House of Representatives and 100 senators. Each state elects two members to the Senate.

The executive branch is headed by the President, who proposes bills to Congress, serves as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces. The President is chosen in nation-wide elections every 4 years. The second person in the executive branch is vice President. The elected vice President belongs to the same political party as the President.

The judicial branch consists of Federal District Courts, 11 Federal Courts and the Supreme Court. Federal judges are appointed by the President. Federal courts decide cases involving federal law, conflicts between citizens of different states. Constitution is the most important document in the USA. It has been amended 26 times. The Bill of Rights guarantees individual liberties: freedom of speech, religion and so on.

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