United States Flag

Local name: United States

Capital: Washington, DC

Population: 298,444,215

Government: Constitution-based federal republic; strong democratic tradition

Currency: US dollar (USD)

Land size: 9,631,420 sq km

Topography: vast central plain, mountains in west, hills and low mountains in east; rugged mountains and broad river valleys in Alaska; rugged, volcanic topography in Hawaii

Typical foods: hamburger, hot dog, donut, turkey and pumpkin pie (as part of Thanksgiving dinner), apple pie

Major exports: agricultural products (soybeans, fruit, corn) 9.2%, industrial supplies (organic chemicals) 26.8%, capital goods (transistors, aircraft, motor vehicle parts, computers, telecommunications equipment) 49.0%, consumer goods (automobiles, medicines) 15.0%

Official language: English 82.1%

Other languages spoken: Spanish 10.7%, other Indo-European 3.8%, Asian and Pacific island 2.7%

Religions: Protestant 52%, Roman Catholic 24%, Mormon 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 1%, other 10%, none 10%

Literacy rate: 99%

Male/Female Ratio: 0.97 male(s) to every 1 female

Life expectancy: 77.85 years

Ethnic groups: white 81.7%, black 12.9%, Asian 4.2%, Amerindian and Alaska native 1%, native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.2%

Internet users: 203,824,428

Famous people: Thomas Edison, Martin Luther King, Jr.