North America.

The USA is divided into six time zones:
Eastern Standard Time: GMT - 5 (GMT - 4 from first Sunday in April to last Sunday in October 2006; from second Sunday in March to first Sunday in November, from 2007).
Central Standard Time: GMT - 6 (GMT - 5 from first Sunday in April to last Sunday in October 2006; from second Sunday in March to first Sunday in November, from 2007).
Mountain Standard Time: GMT - 7 (GMT - 6 from first Sunday in April to last Sunday in October 2006; from second Sunday in March to first Sunday in November, from 2007. Arizona does not observe DST).
Pacific Standard Time: GMT - 8 (GMT - 7 from first Sunday in April to last Sunday in October 2006; from second Sunday in March to first Sunday in November, from 2007).
Alaska: GMT - 9 (GMT - 8 from first Sunday in April to last Sunday in October 2006; from second Sunday in March to first Sunday in November, from 2007).
Hawaii: GMT - 10.
When calculating travel times, bear in mind the adoption of Daylight Saving Time (DST) by most States in summer. From the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October, clocks are put forward one hour, changing at 0200 hours local time.

9,809,155 sq km (3,787,319 sq miles).

296 million (official estimate 2005).

32.5 per sq km.

Washington, DC. Population: 550,521 (official estimate 2005). 20 other cities have a population larger than that of Washington, DC. New York is the largest city, with a population of over 8 million. Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Antonio and San Diego, had populations of over 1 million in 2000.

Covering a large part of the North American continent, the USA shares borders with Canada to the north and Mexico to the south and has coasts on the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. The State of Alaska, in the northwest corner of the continent, is separated from the rest of the country by Canada, and Hawaii lies in the central Pacific Ocean. The third-largest country in the world (after the Russian Federation and Canada), the USA has an enormous diversity of geographical features. The climate ranges from subtropical to Arctic, with a corresponding breadth of flora and fauna. For a more detailed description of each region’s geographical characteristics, see the individual State sections.

The USA is a Federal Republic with 50 States and the District of Columbia (as in ‘Washington, DC’), which lies between Maryland and Virginia. In addition, the USA has close associations with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam and the US Virgin Islands and exercises trusteeship on behalf of the UN over several Pacific Island groups. The Constitution (the final arbiters of which are the members of the Supreme Court) ensures that the powers of the executive, legislature, judiciary, presidency and the individual states are balanced by constitutional procedures. The President is elected by an electoral college system, based on universal adult suffrage, every 4 years. No president may be elected to serve more than two full terms of office. The current President is George W Bush, with Dick Cheney as Vice-President. The legislature is bicameral; the Senate has two members from each state while the larger House of Representatives allocates seats on the basis of population. Collectively these two bodies are known as Congress. Each state enjoys a fairly high degree of self-government.

Federal Republic since 1789. Gained independence from the UK in 1776. The USA is a Federal Republic with 50 States and the District of Columbia (as in ‘Washington, DC’), which lies between Maryland and Virginia. The Constitution (the final arbiters of which are the members of the Supreme Court) ensures that the powers of the executive, legislature, judiciary, presidency and the individual states are balanced by constitutional procedures. The President is elected by an electoral college system, based on universal adult suffrage, every four years. No president may be elected to serve more than two full terms of office. The legislature is bicameral; the Senate has two members from each state while the larger House of Representatives allocates seats on the basis of population. Collectively these two bodies are known as Congress. Each state enjoys a fairly high degree of self-government. Head of State and Government: President George W Bush since 2001. Recent History: Conditions in Iraq, and national security generally, are a major issue for Bush junior, who secured a second term at the Presidential election in November 2004. Republics tightened their grip on the Senate, kept control of the House of Representatives, and also presided over the possibility of further changes in the Supreme Court. It seems that Americans were keen to preserve stability in the White House whilst their nation remained in the midst of its 'War on Terror'. It remains to be seen how Bush junior will act in such a 'War' while in his final term as President - and, also, how the President will respond to domestic affairs and criticism of his persistent snubbing of environmental concerns, which culminated in him refusing to sign the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse emissions.

English, with significant Spanish-speaking minorities.

Protestant majority with Roman Catholic, Jewish and many ethnic minorities.

The wide variety of national origins and the USA’s relatively short history has resulted in numerous cultural and traditional customs living alongside each other. In large cities, people of the same ethnic background often live within defined communities. Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting. A relaxed and informal atmosphere is usually the norm. As long as the fundamental rules of courtesy are observed, there need be no fear of offending anyone of any background. Americans are renowned for their openness and friendliness to visitors. Gifts are appreciated if one is invited to a private home. As a rule, dress is casual. Smart restaurants, hotels and clubs insist on suits and ties or long dresses. Smoking is becoming increasingly unpopular in the US and is often considered offensive; it is essential to ask permission from all present before lighting up. Smoking is forbidden on city transport and often restricted or forbidden in public buildings. There will usually be a notice where no smoking is requested and most restaurants have smoking and non-smoking sections. Smoking is banned in all restaurants in California and New York City.

110 volts AC, 60Hz. Plugs are of the flat two-pin type. European electrical appliances not fitted with dual-voltage capabilities will require a plug adaptor, which is best purchased before arrival in the USA. The television system is NTSC I/II and is not compatible with the PAL and SECAM systems used in Asia and Europe, although cassettes can be converted.

Information on the USA is provided in two parts: a general overview and individual State profiles, each of which has its own section.