英语国家概况美国Unit1America.ppt

The United States of America Unit 1 The Country Contents I. Basic Information Full country name: The United States of America (USA) Population: 275,000,000 Area: 3,618,000 sq miles (9,370,000 sq km). The 4th largest in the world. Capital city: Washington, DC (pop: 607,000) A shield with thirteen red and white stripes covers the eagle's breast. The shield is supported solely by the American eagle to denote that Americans should rely on their own virtue. The red and white stripes of the shield represent the states united under and supporting the blue, representing the President and Congress. The color white signifies purity and innocence; red, hardiness and valor; and blue signifies vigilance, perseverance, and justice. Above the eagle's head is a cloud surrounding a blue field containing thirteen stars, which forms a constellation. The constellation denotes that a new State is taking its place among other nations. Size and Location In the central part of North America (except Alaska and Hawaii); Canada on the north Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico on the south Atlantic Ocean on the east Pacific Ocean on the west total area—9.5 million square kilometers; 50 states and the federal district of Columbia—the seat of the Federal Government. States original 48 states Alaska and Hawaii, separated from the continent, became the 49th and 50th states in 1959. Alaska borders on northwestern Canada Hawaii lies in the central Pacific Ocean Alaska—the largest Rhode Island—the smallest Texas—the largest on the mainland Discussion --Do you agree? America is a nation with an abundance of geography, but a shortage of history. Geographical Features Geographically the country includes 7 regions. As a matter of fact, it may be separated into four major regions: (1) the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain; (2) the Appalachians and their foothills; (3) the Interior Lowlands; (4) the Cordillera. The Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain The Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains reach