Political system
the system of federal government of the USA was established by the Constitution which was ratified in 1788 and which consists of the Preamble, Articles I - VII and 26 Amendments to the Constitution; the Supreme Court proves unconstitutionality of law
under the system of checks and balances there are three main branches: the Legislative (both houses of Congress), the Executive (the President and the Executive office) and the Judicial (the Supreme Court and Federal courts) the Congress (both the Senate and the House of Representatives) is responsible for drafting and passing laws, handling matters of national finance, ensuring the defense of the nation (with the President), regulating commerce, admitting new states to the Union the Senate is composed of 100 Senators, two for each state; they are elected to six-year terms by popular vote, however every two years is one third renewed; the Vice President is the official presiding officer of Senate; Senate must approve presidents appointments and ratify foreign treaties, try the President and can impeach him the House of Representatives is composed of 435 Representatives (Congressman and women) who are elected on two-year terms; the number of Representatives is based on state population (the greatest number has California); is responsible for originating all bills relating to taxes the major political parties are Democratic and Republican the President is elected every 4 years, may serve maximum two terms in office, must be over 35 years old, born in USA and have lived for 14 years there; the President is Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, he appoints all ambassadors, ministers and consuls
the Executive Office is President's personal staff, has 14 departments (Department of State, Treasury, Defense, Justice, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Energy and Veterans Affaires); includes number of independent agencies - the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the National Security Agency (NSA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) the Judiciary branch is composed of a three-level hierarchy: Federal districts courts (94), US courts of appeal (13), the US Supreme Court (eight Justices and Chief Justice)
Economy
the USA is a leader of world economy, so it's highly developed
industry: manufacturing steel, car industry, electronics, machinery, clothing
agriculture: corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, tobacco, cattle breeding, fruit, vegetables
mineral resources: coal, copper, oil, gas, lead, uranium, gold, iron, mercury
Washington DC
Washington District of Columbia, the national capital of the USA, is situated on Potomac river and has population of 623,000 (conurbation 3,750,000)
was established by Act of Congress in 1790, the place was chosen by President Washington himself and designed by French engineer Pierre L'Enfant
the city has 4 quadrants with the Capitol in its center 1910 - the Height Buildings Act - no building is allowed to be higher than Capitol
Washington has no industry, it's used only for government and as a seat of many international organizations, e.g. World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Organization of American states
Congress and its buildings, White House, Pentagon Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial Arlington National Cemetery
West and East Potomac Parks and Constitution Gardens National Air and Space Museum, National Gallery of Art, National Archives
Opera House, Concert Hall, National Theater, Arena Stage, Ford's Theater
Interesting places
Detroit - headquarters of Ford, Chrysler and General Motors
Mt. Rushmore - the mountain with colossal portrait heads of US Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt (carved by sculptor Gutzon Borghum)
Las Vegas - Hollywood - the center of film industry
the Grand Canyon
Salt Lake