Geography
The USA is situated in the southern part of North America. Its neighbors are Canada in the north, Mexico in the south and Russia by Alaska. The largest rivers are the Mississippi and the Missouri. There are big variations of climate. Temperatures change from arctic cold in northern Alaska to subtropical warmth in Hawaii and the Gulf Coast States. There are many national parks in the USA, especially in the Rocky Mountains Region, where there are Rocky Mountain National Park, Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons.
People
The USA population is about 250,000,000. Now there are about 80% Caucasian, 12% black, 1.5% Asian and Pacific Islanders and 0.6% American Indians and Eskimos. The main language spoken here is American English. American English differs from British English in vocabulary, pronunciation and spelling.
History
Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492. The first English colony was founded in Virginia at Jamestown in 1607. In 1620 the ship named Mayflower brought 102 English men, women and children. They were Puritans. They called themselves the Pilgrim Fathers. In October 1621 they celebrated a good harvest. They called this day Thanksgiving Day. During the 17th century many colonists, mostly British but also French, German, Dutch and Irish settled in the country, mainly along the eastern coast. In the 17th century about half a million Africans were brought as slaves.
Foundation of the USA, The War for Independence (1775 - 1783)
In 1775, at Lexington, the War began. On July 4th, 1776 they agreed on the Declaration of Independence written mainly by Thomas Jefferson. The War for Independence lasted until 1783 when Britain recognized the USA.
National Economy
The main industrial items are manufacturing steel, car industry, electronics, machinery, and clothing. The main agriculture products are corn, cotton, tobacco, fruit and vegetables. The USA is rich in coal, copper, gold, iron and oil.
Government
The USA with the President as the head of state is a federation of 50 states with 48 on the continent, Alaska in the north and Hawaii in the Mid Pacific. The USA is the member of all major international organizations: UN, NATO, OECD.
American Political System
The main body is called Congress - its seat is in the Capitol. The Congress is divided into two parts - the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives consists of 435 lawmakers who are elected for two years. The Senate has 100 members - 2 members from each state, who serve six years. The President together with his Vice President is chosen every 4 years. There are two main political parties in the USA - The Democratic Party and The Republican Party.
Capital of the USA
Washington D.C. has the 10th largest population in the country (3.4 million). There are the most important buildings in the USA - the White House - residence of the American President, the Capitol - the seat of the Congress, the Pentagon - the center of military forces. There are no factories and industry in Washington and that is why the city seems so clean and nice.
Interesting Places
On the western coast the most well known places are Los Angeles and San
Francisco. Los Angeles is the second largest. Here we can find the famous film center Hollywood. LA is also the center of crime. The biggest zoo in the world is in San Diego. Florida is mainly a tourist area with loud beaches in Miami. Florida also has Disney World and Epcot Center.
London
Is the capital of the United Kingdom. It is the 9th largest city in the world - it´s population is about 10 million. London is situated on the river Thames in south-east England. The Romans came to London in 43 A. D. They built a small town on the Thames, its name was Londinium. In 1066 William the Conqueror came to England. He came from Normandy after the battle of Hastings. He became the King of England. On Sunday 2nd September 1666, there was a great fire, which destroyed almost all the city.
There are many places of interest. We can see them by walking or going by various means of transport. London´s famous red double-deckers go almost everywhere. To be faster, we can use the underground which is the oldest underground in the world. There are also 3 airports in London (the most important are Heathrow and Gatwick).
How I have said, in London we can find a lot of places of interest. We can start our sightseeing tour in centre on Piccadilly Circus. When we walk from Piccadilly Circus threw Regent Street and Oxford Street which are the most famous shopping centers, we come to Hyde park, which is the largest green park in London.
From Hyde Park, we can go to Buckingham Palace. It is the Queen’s residence in London. Here is one of the biggest London’s parades - Changing the Guard. Near the Buckingham Palace there is the Victoria Station. Victoria station is railway station, where the trains from France threw the Channel tunnel come. When we go thru Victoria Street, we come to Westminster Abbey. It was founded in the 11th century. Britain´s Kings and Queens have been crowned here and many of them are buried here. It is an excellent example of gothic architecture.
Then we can visit The Houses of Parliament. They are in gothic style but they were built only in 1840 after the old building had burnt down. The only part which escaped the fire was Westminster Hall. There is also a famous clock-tower with Big Ben and its characteristic bell-ringing. The best photo you can take from the Westminster Bridge.
Then we can go along Whitehall, in which takes place Horse Guards Parade, come we to the Downing Street 10, which is the official home of British Prime Ministers since 1731. At the end of Whitehall is Trafalgar Square. It was named after Admiral Nelson’s victory over Napoleon. Here is a Nelson’s statue. This place is very popular place for demonstrations and meetings. At Christmas time a big Christmas tree stands here.
One part of London is called The City. It is the oldest part of London around St. Paul´s. There are many banks e. g. the Bank of England. St. Paul´s Cathedral is one of the largest cathedrals in the world. This great renaissance dome is the work of the famous architect Sir Christopher Wren and it was built in the 17th century after the great fire. The Cathedral is known for its Whispering Gallery.
The next interesting place is The Tower of London. It was built in the 11th century. It served as royal palace first, then prison and fortress. It is a museum now. The Crown Jewels are kept here. Tower Bridge is one of the most famous symbols of London. It was built only in the last century. It can open in the middle and let large ships go through.
The British Museum is the largest museum in the world. There is a collection of Egyptian mummies and antiquities from ancient Greece. The admission is free. The Post Office Tower is the tallest building in Great Britain. It is 190 m high.
With 40 theatres and music halls London is the centre of cultural life. The most important are: The National Theatre, the Royal Festival hall and The Royal Albert Hall. In Kew Gardens we can find the largest collection of living plants in the world. Greenwich is the seat of the National Maritime Museum.
There are many places of interest. We can see them by walking or going by various means of transport. London´s famous red double-deckers go almost everywhere. To be faster, we can use the underground which is the oldest underground in the world. There are also 3 airports in London (the most important are Heathrow and Gatwick).
How I have said, in London we can find a lot of places of interest. We can start our sightseeing tour in centre on Piccadilly Circus. When we walk from Piccadilly Circus threw Regent Street and Oxford Street which are the most famous shopping centers, we come to Hyde park, which is the largest green park in London.
From Hyde Park, we can go to Buckingham Palace. It is the Queen’s residence in London. Here is one of the biggest London’s parades - Changing the Guard. Near the Buckingham Palace there is the Victoria Station. Victoria station is railway station, where the trains from France threw the Channel tunnel come. When we go thru Victoria Street, we come to Westminster Abbey. It was founded in the 11th century. Britain´s Kings and Queens have been crowned here and many of them are buried here. It is an excellent example of gothic architecture.
Then we can visit The Houses of Parliament. They are in gothic style but they were built only in 1840 after the old building had burnt down. The only part which escaped the fire was Westminster Hall. There is also a famous clock-tower with Big Ben and its characteristic bell-ringing. The best photo you can take from the Westminster Bridge.
Then we can go along Whitehall, in which takes place Horse Guards Parade, come we to the Downing Street 10, which is the official home of British Prime Ministers since 1731. At the end of Whitehall is Trafalgar Square. It was named after Admiral Nelson’s victory over Napoleon. Here is a Nelson’s statue. This place is very popular place for demonstrations and meetings. At Christmas time a big Christmas tree stands here.
One part of London is called The City. It is the oldest part of London around St. Paul´s. There are many banks e. g. the Bank of England. St. Paul´s Cathedral is one of the largest cathedrals in the world. This great renaissance dome is the work of the famous architect Sir Christopher Wren and it was built in the 17th century after the great fire. The Cathedral is known for its Whispering Gallery.
The next interesting place is The Tower of London. It was built in the 11th century. It served as royal palace first, then prison and fortress. It is a museum now. The Crown Jewels are kept here. Tower Bridge is one of the most famous symbols of London. It was built only in the last century. It can open in the middle and let large ships go through.
The British Museum is the largest museum in the world. There is a collection of Egyptian mummies and antiquities from ancient Greece. The admission is free. The Post Office Tower is the tallest building in Great Britain. It is 190 m high.
With 40 theatres and music halls London is the centre of cultural life. The most important are: The National Theatre, the Royal Festival hall and The Royal Albert Hall. In Kew Gardens we can find the largest collection of living plants in the world. Greenwich is the seat of the National Maritime Museum.
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