Landscapes and biodiversity

The U.S. is the third largest country in the world in terms of both area and population. Due to its enormous geographical size, the national territory encompasses a wide variety of landscapes, from the glaciers of Denali in Alaska, the deserts in the Great Basin, the Grand Canyon in the southwest, the badlands in the Midwest, the picturesque deciduous forests of New England and the tropical Everglades in Florida to the volcanoes in Hawaii, to name just a few. With numerous endemic animal and plant species, the United States is one of the 17 megadiverse countries in the world. In addition to 63 official national parks, there are several thousand other protected areas in the United States. Yellowstone National Park, which was established in 1872 and is mainly located in the state of Wyoming, is particularly well known. It is the oldest national park in the world and is home to bison, grizzly bears and the world's largest geyser field.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Besides the fascinating nature, many cultural landmarks are protected. To date, the United States is home to 25 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These include, for example, the mounds of the pre-Columbian Mississippi culture and the cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloans in the Four Corners region of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah, as well as buildings from the colonial era such as Independence Hall and historic battlefields. 

History of the national territory

History is an important part of American society and provides many explanations for the vibrant culture. There are 574 federally recognized Indian Tribes and 326 self-governing Indian reservations. The first documented European expedition into the U.S. took place in 1513 under the Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León. After the first Spanish settlements in the south, larger colonies were also founded along the east coast by the French and British. During the Seven Years' War, Great Britain gained supremacy over France. Subsequent tax reforms triggered the American Revolution in 1765 and led to the first successful war of independence in European colonial history. It ended in 1783 when the British finally recognized the independence of the United States. However, the territory still underwent major changes. It was gradually expanded westwards, especially in the course of the Louisiana Purchase from Napoleon Bonaparte in 1803, the territorial gains of 1848 after the Mexican-American War and the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867. During the Civil War from 1861 to 1865, the Union was temporarily reduced in size as the southern states seceded and formed the Confederacy. But after the Union's victory, which abolished slavery, they rejoined the Union.

Culture and society

Modern U.S. culture is most often characterized by its diversity and is considered the epitome of a social melting pot. This richness has developed through the shared history of many indigenous peoples, European settlers and the slaves brought by the latter. The American Dream of creating a better life through hard work and many facets of the American way of life have been adopted by societies around the planet. Last but not least, the US Dollar is the most widely used currency in the world and New York City, home to the world's largest stock exchange, is regarded as the most important global financial center.