英语国家概况之美国.doc

Chapter 14 Population, Race and Ethnic Groups I.Introduction The United States of America, with a population of 255,5 million in 1992, is the third most populous country in the world after China and India. Immigration accounts for a major source of population growth. 7.8% 20 million immigants 1992 8.7 million Came to USA During the 1980s 14.8% In the Western Foreign-born 10.3% In the Northeast Foreign-born 3.6% In the Midwest Foreign-born 5.3% In the South Foreign-born The United States had a more or less open-door policy to immigrants from independence until the 1960s. Ellis Island of New York was an important immigration reception spot in the 1890s. About 77% of the population in the United States lived in more than 283 city areas in 1988. 21 big cities with a population of over 2 million. New York 18 million In 1990 Los Angeles 14.5 million In 1990 Chicago 8.1 million In 1990 San Francisco 6.3 million In 1990 philadelphia 5.9 million In 1990 II.Immigration The Untied States has been known as a nation of immigrants. The first immigrants in American history came from England and the Netherlands(荷兰人). Some running away from religious and political persecution Some coming as adventures from the Old World(Europe) to seek a better life Some as indentured servants who had to work for a fixed term for their masters to repay the cross-Atlantic fare and debts The largest immigration movement began from 1815. between 1815 and 1917, no fewer than 30 million people, form every corner of Europe, made their way to the USA. They came in a series of waves. The first of these waves began in the mid 1810s, grew during the 1830s and 40s and reached the highest point in 1845. The second wave coverd the period between 1860 and 1890. The third wave, the largest of the three waves, bringing to the Untited States a total of 15 million immigrants between 1890 and 1914, was drawn very largely from Austria-Hungary, Italy, Russia, Greece, Rumania and Turkey. Th