2. FACT FILES:
Official name: The United States of America
Status: A federal republic, a union of 50 states
Area: 9,364,000 squ. km.
Population: about 250 mln. people
Capital: Washington
3. NATIONALITIES: WHITE AMERICANS - 83,5 %
AFRICANS - 12,4%
IMMIGRANTS FROM ASIA - 3,3%
NATIVE AMERICANS (INDIANS, ALEUTS, ESKIMOS) – 0,8 %
5. WASHINGTON- THE CAPITAL OF USA.
Washington was founded in l791 for the purpose of serving as the capital of
the United States of America. Many people consider Washington to be
one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There are many parks, wide
streets and impressive buildings. In the centre of the city, there is
Capitol Park, where visitors' eyes focus on the Capitol, the home of
American Congress.
6. Who discovered America?
In 1492 three ships- the “Santa
Maria”, the “Pinta”, the “Nine”
under Columbus landed the
continent.
In 1507 Amerigo Vespucci explored
the area of South America and
introduced a new land to the
world. This continent was called
after him - “America”
7. The Mississippi – “Old man river” together with its tributaries the
Missouri and the Ohio is the longest river in the world. The history of this
river is described in the book “Life on the Mississippi” by M. Twain.
8. WASHINGTON (D.C) WAS NAMED IN HONOUR OF THE FIRST
AMERICAN PRESIDENT (1789-1796).
George Washington, “the father
of his country”.
He was an example of bravery and
approved the fight against slavery.
General Henry Li wrote : “Washington
was first in war, first in peace and
first in the hearts of his countrymen”
The capital of the country, a state, a lake,
an island, a mount, a canyon, some
universities and colleges, streets and
squares are named after him.
In 1888 the Washington Monument was
established in the capital (169 m. high)
22nd of February – birthday of J. Washington, a national holiday in the USA.
9. Washington National
Cathedral (St. Peter
and St.Paul’s
Church Cathedral)
– was built in a
gothic style. The
first stone was laid
by Th. Roosevelt
(the 26th president)
in 1907. Finally it
was rebuilt in 1990.