The United States of America, otherwise commonly known as USA or the U.S., has long been considered one of the world’s superpowers based on the country’s economy size and political influence.

Known as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurialism, its entrepreneurialism has been a major driver of the country’s cultural and economic growth.

Population and Cities

The U.S. is home to more than 324 million people, making it the third-largest country in the world by population.

Historically, immigration to the U.S. - after its discovery by Europeans - was mainly from England and other European countries, and then later from Latin America and Asia. The five countries that have contributed the most immigrants to the U.S. in the last ten years (2015 figures) have been Mexico, India, China, the Philippines and Cuba

Made up of 50 states, the U.S. faces the North Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans and is bordered by Canada in the north and Mexico in the south. Taking up a large portion of the North American continent, the U.S. extends its reach through the states of Alaska in the far northwest and Hawaii in the Pacific

Given its huge land area, the U.S. is pided into four major regions: the West, the Midwest, the South and the Northeast. Each of these regions are then subpided into two or more census pisions

It's impossible to geographically define the U.S. with a single term given the disparity between the country’s bustling city streets, wide open plains, mountain ranges, coastal cities and quiet country towns.

Weather

The climate of the U.S. varies considerably from coast to coast due to the differences in latitude and the country’s varied geographical features.

The seasons in the United States are:

  • Winter (December to February)

  • Spring (March to May)

  • Summer (June to August)

  • Fall (September to November)

Much of the eastern parts of the U.S. have a humid continental or subtropical climate, with four distinct seasons. The Southeast has mild winters and hot humid summers and the Northeast and Midwest have much colder winters with frequent snowfalls and periods with snow on the ground

Hawaii typically experiences tropical weather conditions with cold and wet seasons during winter months and dry seasons during warmer months. Alaska on the other hand, experiences Arctic conditions with very distinct winter and summer season due to the significant changes in temperatures between the two seasons.

Politics and Government

The Founding Fathers of the U.S., who created the Constitution, wanted to ensure it was written to allow for a separation of powers, or three separate branches of government – that being the Legislative which makes the laws, the Executive which carries out the laws and the Judicial which evaluates the laws

The U.S. Government is known as a representative democracy with two legislative bodies, the Senate and House of Representatives. The Senate has 100 elected senators - two senators per state who serve a six-year term - while the House of Representatives has 435 voting representatives. The number of representatives from each state in the House of Representatives is based on the state's population. Each representative serves a two-year term and can be re-elected.

The Executive Branch consists of the President of the United States, the Vice President and the Cabinet. A president can only remain in office for a maximum two four-year terms.

The Judicial Branch is made of the court system which includes: the Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals, the U.S. District Courts, State Courts and the County Courts.

Any areas that the Federal Government does not directly control are ruled by the state governments which are modelled after the federal government and made up of three branches: Legislative, Executive and Judicial.

Ethnicity and Religion

The U.S. is one of the most perse countries in the world and its exact breakdown of ethnic persity is extremely difficult to determine as most Americans come from a variety of ethnic backgrounds

Being one of the most ethnically perse countries in the world naturally brings a wide persity of religious beliefs and practices. Many Americans believe that religion plays a very important role in their lives and this is unique among developed countries.

Indigenous People

The indigenous people in the U.S. are referred to as Native Americans but are also known as American Indians or Indians for short. Native Americans are considered to be the people whose ancestors were indigenous to the lands within the nation's modern borders before Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492.

These people formed distinct tribes, bands, and ethnic groups, many of which are still intact today.

Social Norms and Etiquette

As previously mentioned, the US is made up of diverse cultures. This is because residents of the United States come from various countries, ranging from immigrants to international students who settle there in the end.

The group of immigrants who for centuries stayed in the United States brought a certain set of behaviors and beliefs. Without realizing it, this builds social norms and etiquette in society. Until today, these norms and etiquette are accepted as commonplace and perhaps need to be done in America.

Most Americans shake hands firmly and briefly when they first meet someone. This act can also be found in other countries, especially in formal situations.

However, a slightly different etiquette from the United States is hugging or kissing cheeks as a greeting between relatives and close friends. This American culture may tend to be new or even taboo in several other countries.

Showing affection in public is acceptable behavior in American society. Because of that, no wonder they have a more personal way of greeting those closest to them.

Apart from the habits above, there are several other etiquettes that you need to pay attention to while studying and living in the United States, such as:

  • Be Punctual
    Time management and punctuality are important to the American. Being late or postponing an appointment or meeting will have a negative impact. You may come across as inattentive and impolite. If there is an urgent matter that makes you late, immediately inform those with whom you have an appointment.

  • Tipping
    Giving tips to waiters in restaurants, taxi drivers, hairdressers, and others is a common practice in the United States. More precisely, you are expected to tip at least 20% of the main fee. This habit is a form of appreciation and gratitude for those who have provided services or services for you.

  • Small Talk
    When you arrive in the United States, don't be surprised when several people engage you in conversation or start small talk. It is one of the most widely encountered cultures of the American. They often converse with strangers to discuss light topics such as the weather, sports or television shows. So, try to respond to conversational Americans as long as it looks harmless.

  • Avoid Personal Topics
    Even though Americans often strike up small talk, it's a good idea to avoid topics that get too personal, for example weight, age, salary, income, religion, or politics. Talking about sensitive topics will be considered offensive or even considered impolite.

In order to have a more comfortable study and living experience, it is better to respect the norms and etiquettes that exist in the United States. By following the culture, it will be easier for you to be accepted. Moreover, the social norms and etiquette that grew into the culture of the United States created respect for each other and the identity of America's diverse communities.

Language and Accents

The U.S. does not have an official language, however around 80 per cent of its people are native English speakers

The use of English in the U.S. is a result of the British colonisation of the Americas. Since the first English-speaking settlers arrived early in the 17th century, American English has been influenced by the languages of West Africa, the Native American population, German, Dutch, Irish, Spanish and other languages of successive waves of immigrants to the U.S.

A wide variety of accents and dialects can be found across the country. As a result, American English might be difficult for a visitor to decipher.

American have their own unique form of slang language, and you’ll find you will soon become familiar with words like ‘buck’ (dollar), ‘bail’ (leaving quickly) or ‘raincheck’ (reschedule).