USA a brief overview of history, culture, facts, etc.

1. USA a brief overview of history, culture, facts, etc. McLeod

2. USA A Brief overview of history, culture, facts, etc.

3. What is Culture? • Culture is the evolving way of life of a group of persons, having a set of practices associated with a shared set of products, based on shared perspectives on the world, and set within specific social context.

4. HISTORY • first settled by people from Asia by way of land bridge of Alaska BTB some 10,000 years ago • Some historians believe that people from Norway called Vikings were first Europeans approx. 2,000 years ago • However, the first recorded European to discover this “New Continent” was an Italian named Christopher Columbus

5. CC was looking for new trade route to India • Many feared CC would fall off flat earth • Set sail on August 3,1492 and found land on October 12,1492, wearing a red coat and carrying a Holy banner claimed the land for Spain and named the Island San Salvador (Holy Savior) and thought he had found India and named the people Indians

6. 3 small ships that made the voyage with CC were called the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria • Land not named after CC but another Italian explored named Amerigo Vespucci who sailed to the new world in 1499 and wrote a book The New World about this new world and his adventures

7. Naming the New World • German professor, Waldseemuller printed a map in 1507 and said NW should be called America in honor of Amerigo Vespucci • many others followed CC and AV as navigation improved

8. Reasons for going to America • Freedom of Religion • lots of land to own and work on • better opportunites to provide food for families

9. Land settled by • French, English and Spanish until 18th Century • English controlled most of East coast area called the Colonies (13) • Revolutionary was in late 1700’s brought Independance to this new nation • Significant Spanish influence in SW and SE

10. Since early 1900’s the USA has been on e of the world’s major political and economic powers • Today, the USA is called the Super Power

11. Government • Federal republic of 50 states • Constitution of 1787 established the basic political framework which still exists • We will discuss in detail later

12. Economy • A modified free enterprise system with • considerable government regulations in • areas of monopolies or • unfair business practices might exist • we will discuss in detail later

13. Natonal Geography and Climate • Covers the central portion of North American Continent plus Alaska and Hawaii • Fourth largest nation in the world. Russia, Canada, China (just a little larger than US) • US uses 47% land mass to grow food (China uses on 10% due to mountains and desert -65%)

14. Climate typical of that for inland areas, temperate at the coasts and subtropical in areas of the south • Estensive deserts are found in the South central and Southwest areas • Mountain ranges run north to south, inland of the east and west coasts. • Rainfall varies widely with seasons & area

15. Most of America has more moisture (esp in the winter) than China • Due to air masses that cover the two areas Continental air mass over the USA and Pacific air mass over China • Major rivers in USA drain to the south and west while in China, they drain to the east

16. Largest states in population in order are California, New York, Texas, Florida and Pennsylvania • Largest cities in Population are New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC/Baltimore and San Francisco • Largest states in area are Alaska, Texas, California and Montana

17. Tallest mountain is Mt. Mckinley in Alaska • California is our wealthiest state and produces more food • The Grand Canyon is the largest in world located in Arizona (mainly) • Mid western area a lot of wheat and corn and called the “Bread basket of the World” as much is exported (sold or given away)

18. Language • American English is the highly flexible, predominant language thoughout the country, with dialectal variations in spoken form, esp in rural areas • Many other languages are spoken extensively at home by members of minority groups and over special TV and Radio stations, however most speak english

19. Religion • Nearly complete freedom of worship • 61% of pop. being member of some religious group and of these 93% are members of various Christian denominations while 4% are Jewish • There are places of worship for Muslims, Buddhists and many others

20. Population • Approximately 300,000,000 about one fifth of China’s • 74% white, 12.5% black, 10% Hispanic and 3.5% Asian/Pacific Islander • 12% speak another language • 25% are single parent households • 9.3% are foreign born

21. 66% own homes • 75% live in urban areas (cities) • Most families own one or two cars • Public transportation varies from city/city • Automobiles, bus and air travel most used • Trains are mainly used for freight • Taxis, bus, subway used in major cities

22. Education • American education encourages a high degree of individual participation and independent study • School is mandatory in most states until 16 • About 2/3’s complete High School • About 30% continue their education after HS in technical and business training or in one of our more than 3,000 colleges and Un.

23. Income and Possessions • Average income for family is approx. $42,000 per year • Almost all have TV’s, Radios,washing machines, drers, dishwashers, stoves, hotwater heaters and refrigerators • 70% have cable • Approx. more than 50% have Computers

24. Recreations and Sports • In free time, Americans love to watch TV, go to the movies, watch sporting events and participate in sports • Less common hobbies are reading, dancing and collecting things • Most workers receive at least two weeks paid vacation, plus several one day holidays paid

25. Ofter spend holidays traveling around the country and to other contries • American Football, baseball, basketball and now soccer (football) are major spectator sports • Individual sports like golf and tennis are very popular. Jogging is popular

26. Athletic teams for children flourish in baseball, football, basketball and soccer • Swimming classes for children as young as a few months old are growing • more later

27. Family • The Nuclear family (parents and their children) is the dominant type • Estimated that the average family moves once every five years to fing a better job. We are a very mobile society. • Divorce is quite common, but families are still very important • We have rich and poor. Middle class typical

28. Dating and Marriage • Couples rarely live with their parents and may choose to have no children at all • Dating often begins at 12-13 and becomes common at 16 • Teenagers date many people and are ususally not chaperoned