2. FLAG
The United States of America (USA), commonly referred to as the United
States (U.S.) or America, is a federal republic composed of 50 states,
a federal district, five major territories and various possessions. The 48
contiguous states and Washington, D.C., are in central North
America between Canada and Mexico. The state of Alaska is located in the
northwestern part of North America and the state of Hawaii is
an archipelago in the mid-Pacific. The territories are scattered about the
Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. At 3.8 million square miles
(9.842 million km2) and with over 320 million people, the country is the
world's third or fourth-largest by total area and the third most populous. It
is one of the world's most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, the
product of large-scale immigration from many countries. The
geography and climate of the United States are also extremely diverse,
and the country is home to a wide variety of wildlife.
3. LANGUAGE
Many languages are used, or historically have been used in
the United States. The most commonly used language
is English. There are also many languages indigenous
to North America or to U.S. states or holdings in the Pacific
region. Languages brought to the country by colonists or
immigrants from Europe, Asia, or other parts of the world
make up a large portion of the languages currently used;
several languages, including creoles and sign languages,
have also developed in the United States. Approximately
337 languages are spoken or signed by the population, of
which 176 are indigenous to the area. Fifty-two languages
formerly spoken in the country's territory are now extinct.
5. GOVERNMENT
The government of the United States of America is the federal
government of the republic of fifty states that constitute
the United States, as well as one capital district, and several
other territories. The federal government is composed of
three distinct branches: legislative, executive and judicial,
whose powers are vested by the U.S. Constitution in
the Congress, the President, and the federal courts, including
the Supreme Court, respectively. The powers and duties of
these branches are further defined by acts of Congress,
including the creation of executive departments and courts
inferior to the Supreme Court.
6. CAPITAL
Washington, D.C. has been the capital of
the United States since 1800. Eight other
cities have served as the meeting place
for the U.S. Congress and are therefore
considered to have once been the capital
of the United States. In addition, each of
the fifty U.S. states and the five
principal territories of the United
States maintains its own capital.
8. NEW YORK
More than 50 million people visit New York
City every year. The five boroughs-- or regions -
- of New York have some of
the most easily recognizedattractions in
the world. Visitors on
a budget can take a free boat fromManhattan to St
aten Island for a great view of
the Statue of Liberty and theManhattan skyline.
9. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
America’s third-largest city offers world-
class museums, great food, sportingevents,
and iconic architecture --
including Willis Tower, America’s tallestbuil
ding.
The Midwest city is also known for comedy.
The Second City theateris where many famo
us comedians got their start, including Mike
Meyers andTina Fey.
10. CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
Many say Charleston is one of
the most beautiful and historic places in
theUnited States. The coastal city has
a very rich history. The Civil War began at
its waterfront,
at Fort Sumter, which visitors can explore.
But present-dayCharleston has
a lot to offer, too. Conde Nast Traveler voted it
the numberone U.S. city, for
its beautiful architecture, food, and friendly people.
11. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
The desert city of Las Vegas is known arou
nd the world for
its casinos andbright lights. Visitors stay at
world-
class hotels, eat at top chefs’ restaurants,
and usually see a spectacular show or conc
ert.
12. SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
visitors to
the West Coast city of Seattle will find the iconic Spa
ce Needle, theworld’s first Starbucks,
and Pike Place Market, one of
the oldest and mostfamous farmers markets in
the country. The Space Needle was built in 1962 for
the World’s Fair. Riding up to
the top provides views of the nearbymountains.
13. SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
The most famous San Francisco site is
the Golden Gate Bridge. Opened in 1937,
it still ranks among the top 10 longest bridge spans in
the world. Beyond
the bridge, San Francisco has beautiful ocean views a
nd one of the largest Chinatowns in
the world. Just a ferry ride away is Alcatraz Island,
the form erfederal prison.
15. YANKEEDOM
Encompassing the entire Northeast north of
New York City and spreading
through Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota,
Yankeedom values education, intellectual
achievement, communal empowerment, and
citizen participation in government as a shield
against tyranny. Yankees are comfortable with
government regulation. Woodard notes that
Yankees have a "Utopian streak." The area
was settled by radical Calvinists.
16. NEW NETHERLAND
A highly commercial culture, New
Netherland is "materialistic, with a
profound tolerance for ethnic and religious
diversity and an unflinching commitment to
the freedom of inquiry and conscience,"
according to Woodard. It is a natural ally
with Yankeedom and encompasses New
York City and northern New Jersey. The
area was settled by the Dutch.
17. THE MIDLANDS
Settled by English Quakers, The Midlands are
a welcoming middle-class society
that spawned the culture of the "American
Heartland." Political opinion is moderate, and
government regulation is frowned upon.
Woodard calls the ethnically diverse Midlands
"America's great swing region." Within the
Midlands are parts of New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri,
Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska.
19. NATIONAL APPLE HARVEST FESTIVAL
Held during the first two weekends in October each
year, the National Apple Harvest Festival in Are
ndtsville, Penn., should be on the bucket list of
anyone who wants to partake in one of America’s
most storied traditions: apple picking. Festival-
goers can drink fresh-pressed apple cider, try their
luck at square-dancing and listen to live music in
this tiny town just outside of Gettysburg.
20. INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FESTIVAL
If you like hot air balloons and you like New Mexico,
then you will love the International Balloon Festival in
Albuquerque. Each year in October, more than 600 hot
air balloons fill the skies over a 365-acre park (that’s
54 football fields) - it’s a pretty impressive sight! Watch
the mass ascensions at 7 a.m. each morning, then stick
around to see the flying competitions and fireworks
shows.
21. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PUNKIN' CHUNKIN'
What do you picture when you hear the words “punkin’
chunkin’”? If you’re envisioning pumpkins being hurtled through
the air thousands of feet above ground, you’re right on target.
To see the best of the best, you’ll have to attend the World
Championship Punkin’ Chunkin’ event in Nassau, Del., where
more than 100,000 people attend the three-day festival each
November. You can be a spectator or compete in the record-
breaking event by assembling a punkin’ chunkin’ machine of
your own.
22. GERMAN VILLAGE OKTOBERFEST
If you don’t want to make the trip to Munich for the
legendary Oktoberfest, the German Village
Oktoberfest inColumbus, Ohio, is the next best thing. This
celebration of beer, polka, and all things Deutsch, is held
each September (oddly enough) over a 100,000 square-
foot pavilion. You can listen to authentic German music and
learn how to pair the proper cheese with the proper beer -
an important life skill.
23. WELLFLEET OYSTERFEST
A two-day event held in Wellfleet, Mass., Wellfleet
Oysterfest pays tribute to the New England town’s famed
shellfish tradition. The gathering on Cape Cod is one that the
locals look forward to all year long. Feast on oysters and clams,
lobster and seafood chowders, while you watch the fastest
oyster-shuckers in the world compete in the famous Oyster
Shuck-Off. The competition is taken very seriously -
controversial rulings have been known to elicit protests from the
crowd.
24. HARVEST ON THE HARBOR
The culinary scene in Portland, Maine, has been receiving
much national attention as of late (the town has produced four
James Beard Award-winning chefs), and Harvest on the
Harbor celebrates all that is best about Maine’s food and
wine. This epicurean celebration is held every October, and
features the Maine Lobster Chef of the Year competition and
Samplings at the Marketplace, which allows travelers to taste
the best local food that Maine has to offer as they gaze
across Casco Bay.
26. LOS ANGELES — KOGI BBQ
Kogi BBQ is an L.A. landmark that
dishes out delicious Korean BBQ to
the fine people of Los Angeles. Kogi
offers up kimchi quesadillas, along
with other street food fit for a king
(but easily afforded by the masses).
27. CHICAGO — CUPCAKES FOR COURAGE
Chicago is no stranger to the culinary indulgence of food
trucks. One of its most popular mobile destinations
is Cupcakes for Courage, a food truck that supports
cancer research. Don’t let the name fool you, though.
Cupcakes are served, but so is a scrumptious array of
breakfast foods. The sisters who own this conscious
cupcakery even appeared on Cupcake Wars!
28. ATLANTA — YUMBII
Fusing together Southern cooking and Asian-Mexican
flavors, Yumbii has created an entire experience with its
gourmet food on wheels. Voted best of Atlanta
in Creative Loafing magazine, Yumbii says, “The truck is
high energy, inviting, and digital to the core.” I can
personally attest to the fact that its fish tacos are
mouth-wateringly divine.
29. NEW YORK — WAFELS AND DINGES
Check Wafels and Dinges off your foodie
bucket list when you’re in the Big Apple,
because New York natives and tourists
alike rave about this Belgian-inspired
mobile eatery.
30. MIAMI — MS. CHEEZIOUS
There are lots of famous food trucks in Miami,
but a local favorite is Ms. Cheezious. This
truck plates up comfort foods with a twist.
One of its most popular items is a Crabby
Cheese Melt — grilled cheese, not quite like
your mom used to make.
31. SEATTLE — MARINATION MOBILE
Don’t be fooled into thinking that this rainy city lets
the weather stop the food truck movement from
being a big hit. Home to some of the most
innovative mobile food shops around, one of
Seattle’s most popular isMarination Mobile. Serving
the streets of Seattle with tacos, sliders,
quesadillas, and more, Marination Mobile combines
Hawaiian and Korean cuisine for some drool-
worthy eats.