The document provides an introduction to America and American culture through discussing basic facts about America such as its current president Barack Obama and first president George Washington. It also summarizes America's flag, motto, national bird, and anthem as national symbols. A brief history of America is given starting from the native Americans, European arrival and colonies, independence from Britain, and the US Constitution. America's geography, major cities, iconic sites, and some famous Americans like Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Neil Armstrong, and Steve Jobs are highlighted at a high level.

1. AMERICA
Introduction to America and American Culture

2. BASIC FACTS

3. Presidents
Current President: Barack
Hussein Obama
First President: George
Washington
Total Number of Presidents: 44

4. Symbols
Flag: It has thirteen red and white
stripes representing the 13 original
English colonies that founded the
USA. And it has 50 white stars
representing the 50 American
states.
Motto: E pluribus unum (Out of
many, one)
Bird: Bald Eagle
Anthem: Star Spangled Banner

5. A BRIEF HISTORY OF
AMERICA

6. First Americans
Before Europeans came to America,
NativeAmericans lived there. There were
many different nations of Native
Americans, each with their own culture.
Some examples are the Lakota who lived
in tepees on the grasslands of America,
the Pueblo who lived in mountains in the
desert, and theApache, who were known
for being fierce warriors.

7. Europeans
People from Europe first came to America
to live in the 16th century. These people
came from many places in Europe, such
as the Netherlands, France, Spain, and
England.

8. Colonies
People from England came and lived on
the East coast of America. This area had
13 colonies that were ruled by England.

9. Independence
In 1776, these 13 colonies declared its
independence from England with the
signing of the Declaration of
Independence. In 1783, America won their
revolution and were free from England.

10. Constitution
In 1787, the new United States of America
wrote its constitution which is the same
constitution America has today. The
constitution famously begins with the
words “We the people . . . “

11. GEOGRAPHY

12. It’s BIG
World’s third largest country by size
(Russia and China are bigger)
World’s third largest country by
population (India and China have more
people)

13. Basic Features
Canada is to the North and Mexico is to
the South.
Bordered by two oceans, the Atlantic
Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
Two major mountain chains, the Rocky
Mountains (in theWest) and the Smoky
Mountains (in the East).
Largest river is the Mississippi River which
runs through the middle of the country.

14. Noncontiguous
States
Alaska – Bought buyAmerica from Russia
in 1867. Became a state in 1959.
Hawaii – Added to the USA in 1898.
Became a state in 1959.

15. SITES

16. Statue of Liberty
o She has greeted many immigrants as
they have come to America through
NewYork City.
o She was given to America by France in
1886.
o She is made of copper, but she is green
now because of oxidization.

17. The Liberty Bell
o In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
o A symbol of liberty and independence
in America. Known for its distinctive
crack.
o On it is written “Proclaim LIBERTY
throughout all the land unto all the
inhabitants thereof.”

18. TheWashington
Monument
o InWashington, D.C., the nation’s
capital
o A memorial to the first president of
the United States, GeorgeWashington
o Built in 1884.

19. Grand Canyon
o InArizona.The Colorado River runs
through it.
o It is 446 km long, 29 km wide, and
1,800 meters deep.
o The Pueblo Indians considered the
canyon a holy place.

20. CITIES

21. NewYork City
o Largest city in America with .8.3
million people.
o Divided into 5 boroughs or parts:
Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn,
Queens, and Staten Island
o Many famous places such as the
Empire State Building, Broadway, and
Times Square

22. Washington, D.C.
o Capital of the United States of America
o It is between the states ofVirginia and
Maryland (it is NOT in a state itself)
o D.C. stands for the District of
Columbia, the space betweenVirginia
and Maryland

23. Chicago
o In Illinois, in the middle of the country
o Often called the “Windy City”
o It is known for gangsters and jazz
music

24. New Orleans
o In Louisiana, in the Southern part of
the United States
o Has been influenced by the culture of
the French and the Spanish.
o Known for it’s Mardi Gras celebration
every year

25. Los Angeles
o In California, in theWestern part of the
United States. It is next to the Pacific
Ocean.
o Hollywood and Beverly Hills are
neighborhoods of Los Angeles
o Known for movie stars

26. FAMOUS AMERICANS

27. Benjamin
Franklin
o A “founding father”
o Only non-president on US money (he
is on the 100 dollar bill)
o Invented the bifocals and the lightning
rod

28. Abraham Lincoln
o President of the United States from
1861 to 1865
o President of the United States during
the United States CivilWar
o Signed the Emancipation
Proclamation, which freed all the
slaves in America

29. Martin Luther
King, Jr.
o Preacher and civil rights leader
o Lead the Montgomery Bus Boycotts
and the March onWashington in 1963
that helped end segregation in the
United States and give civil rights to all
Americans regardless of their race.
o His “I have a dream” speech is very
famous

30. Neil Armstrong
o Astronaut
o First man to walk on the moon in 1969

31. Steve Jobs
o Businessman
o The founder of Apple computers

32. Any Questions?