The United States of America (USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major self-governing territories, and various possessions.[h] At 3.8 million square miles (9.8 million km2), it is the world's third- or fourth-largest country by total area.[d] With a 2019 estimated population of over 328 million,[7] the U.S. is the third most populous country in the world. Americans are a racially and ethnically diverse population that have been shaped through centuries of immigration. The capital is Washington, D.C., and the most populous city is New York City.
United States of America
FlagCoat of armsMotto: "In God We Trust"[1]Other traditional mottos:
"E pluribus unum" (Latin)[2]:6, 15
"Out of many, one""Annuit cœptis" (Latin)[2]:6, 15
"He has favored our undertakings""Novus ordo seclorum" (Latin)
"New order of the ages"
Anthem: "The Star-Spangled Banner"
March: "The Stars and Stripes Forever"[3][4]
Show globeShow the U.S. and its territoriesShow all
Capital
Largest city
Official languagesNone at federal level[a]National languageEnglishEthnic groups (2018)[7]By race:
76.5% White
13.4% Black
5.9% Asian
2.7% Other/multiracial
1.3% Native American
0.2% Pacific Islander
Ethnicity:
18.3% Hispanic or Latino
81.7% non-Hispanic or Latino
Demonym(s)American[b][8]GovernmentFederal presidential constitutional republic• PresidentDonald Trump (R)• Vice President[c]Mike Pence (R)• House SpeakerNancy Pelosi (D)• Chief JusticeJohn RobertsLegislatureCongress• Upper houseSenate• Lower houseHouse of RepresentativesIndependence from Great Britain• DeclarationJuly 4, 1776• ConfederationMarch 1, 1781• Treaty of ParisSeptember 3, 1783• ConstitutionJune 21, 1788• Bill of RightsSeptember 25, 1789• Last state admittedAugust 21, 1959• Last amendmentMay 5, 1992Area• Total area3,796,742 sq mi (9,833,520 km2)[d][9] (3rd/4th)• Water (%)6.97• Total land area3,531,905 sq mi (9,147,590 km2)Population• 2019 estimate 328,239,523[7] (3rd)• 2010 census308,745,538[e][10] (3rd)• Density87/sq mi (33.6/km2) (146th)GDP (PPP)2020 estimate• Total $22.321 trillion[11] (2nd)• Per capita $67,426[11] (11th)GDP (nominal)2020 estimate• Total $22.321 trillion[11] (1st)• Per capita $67,426[11] (7th)Gini (2018) 48.5[12]
high · 106thHDI (2018) 0.920[13]
very high · 15thCurrencyUnited States dollar ($) (USD)Time zoneUTC−4 to −12, +10, +11• Summer (DST)UTC−4 to −10[f]Date format
mm/dd/yyyy
yyyy-mm-dd
Mains electricity120 V–60 HzDriving sideright[g]Calling code+1ISO 3166 codeUSInternet TLDGeneric top-level domain.com, .org, .net, .edu, .gov, .milccTLD (generally not used in the U.S.).us, .pr, .as, .gu, .mp, .vi and, formerly, .um (removed by ICANN in 2008, but still recognized by the U.S. government as a ccTLD)
Paleo-Indians migrated from Siberia to the North American mainland at least 12,000 years ago,[19] and European colonization began in the 16th century. The United States emerged from the thirteen British colonies established along the East Coast. Numerous disputes between Great Britain and the colonies led to the American Revolutionary War lasting between 1775 and 1783, leading to independence.[20] Beginning in the late 18th century, the United States vigorously expanded across North America, gradually acquiring new territories,[21] oftentimes killing and displacing Native Americans, and admitting new states. By 1848, the United States spanned the continent.[21] Slavery was legal in the southern United States until the second half of the 19th century, when the American Civil War led to its abolition.[22][23]
The Spanish–American War and World War I established the U.S. as a world power, a status confirmed by the outcome of World War II. It was the first country to develop nuclear weapons and is the only country to have used them in warfare. During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union competed in the Space Race, culminating with the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, the spaceflight that first landed humans on the Moon. The end of the Cold War and collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 left the United States as the world's sole superpower.[24]
The United States is a federal republic and a representative democracy. It is a founding member of the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Organization of American States (OAS), NATO, and other international organizations. It is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
A highly developed country, the United States is the world's largest economy and accounts for approximately a quarter of global gross domestic product (GDP).[25] The United States is the world's largest importer and the second-largest exporter of goods, by value.[26][27] Although its population is only 4.3% of the world total,[28] it holds 29.4% of the total wealth in the world, the largest share held by any country.[29] Despite income and wealth disparities, the United States continues to rank high in measures of socioeconomic performance, including average wage, median income, median wealth, human development, per capita GDP, and worker productivity.[30][31] It is the foremost military power in the world, making up more than a third of global military spending,[32] and is a leading political, cultural, and scientific force internationally.[33]
nice