The United States has a diverse population of over 320 million people and varies greatly in culture across its 50 states. It has a federal republic government system and the U.S. dollar is the official currency. Americans have relaxed social norms generally emphasizing individualism, pragmatism and informality in greetings, gift-giving and dining. Business meetings are taken seriously despite an outward casual attitude and direct communication is valued over implied meanings. Most Americans live in urban and suburban areas and have a high standard of living with an emphasis on private property and self-reliance.