1.Physical Geography of the USA.

2. Rivers, lakes, waterfalls, coastline. The influence of geographic

diversity on economic development of the country.
3. American climate. The environment and pollution.
4. The main stages of American historical development.
5. War for Independence. Declaration of Independence. Its
influence on the beginnings of the future American society.
6. The Civil War in the USA – the darkest period in the history of
the USA.
7. Great Depression.
8. Interwar America and World War II. The Post-war Era and the
Cold War Period.
9. Population of the USA. Waves of immigration. Ethnic
dimension.
10. The American ways of life (attitudes, sports, clothing, cuisine,
housing, living standard, family arrangements)
11. Holidays of the United States. Federal Holidays.
12. Education in the United States. (preschool, middle school,
high school public vs. private schools)
13. The system of higher education
14. The General political structure.
15. The Legislative Branch.
16. The Executive Branch.
17. The President, Vice President. The President’s Cabinet.
18. Election System.
19. Political Parties of the USA.
20. U.S. Culture (specific features)
 1. Physical Geography of the USA.
The capital of the USA is the city of Washington. The United States
of America is a state in North America. The area is 9.5 million km² (4th
place in the world). The USA is a federal presidential republic. The USA
consists of 50 states and the District of Columbia. Niagara Falls,
Yellowstone National Park, and the Grand Canyon are a few of the better-
known landscapes. The largest cities - New York, Los Angeles and
Chicago - are the most important global cities.
America has a sea border with Russia. The originality of the
geographical position of the United States lies in the fact that this country
has access to three oceans at once:
The east coast of America is washed by the Atlantic Ocean; Western
- the Pacific Ocean. The Hawaiian Islands are also located in the Pacific
Ocean - about 4 thousand kilometers separate them from the mainland;
Alaska borders the Arctic Ocean. There are many mountains, lakes,
rivers in the USA. The Great Lakes of the United States includes five
lakes. Five lakes make up more than 20% of the world's fresh water. That's
a lot of water, especially when one in five people in the world doesn't have
reliable access to safe drinking water. This is a much needed resource.
The Mississippi is a river in the United States, one of the greatest rivers in
the world. The Mississippi is the main river of the largest river system in
North America. The highest peak in the country, Mount McKinley (Denali),
is in Alaska.
The population is 333 million people. More residents live in cities.
Least of all live outside the suburbs.
 2. Rivers, lakes, waterfalls, coastline. The influence of
geographic diversity on economic development of the
country.
America is rich in rivers, lakes, waterfalls. The main source of
replenishment of water reserves are rivers, as well as large lakes. The
main source of fresh water is the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes are a
system of five large lakes. The Great Lakes are one of the largest
reservoirs of fresh water on Earth. Five lakes make up more than 20% of
the world's fresh water. The Great Lakes are a system of freshwater lakes
in North America, in the United States and Canada. Today, tourism is an
important component of the economies of both countries near the border,
as is industrial fishing. The USA is rich in large rivers that are navigable.
The largest and most important rivers in the United States are:
Mississippi, Missouri, Colorado River, Hudson.
The Mississippi is one of the greatest rivers in the world. It flows
through 10 US states. It established the borders of some states. The
Mississippi River is of great economic importance for the United States -
a major transport artery. Water from the Mississippi water system is used to
irrigate land. The Colorado River is an important source of water for
irrigation, drinking water for cities, and electrical energy. There is Niagara
Falls in the USA. Niagara Falls is one of the most powerful waterfalls in
North America. Niagara Falls are not the highest in the world, but they are
wide.
Water resources are used in agriculture, some industries, as well as
to meet the natural needs of the population. Hydroelectric power plants in
the United States provide a stable transformation of the power of the
waters of large rivers into electricity.
The coastline of North America is heterogeneous. The western part,
on the whole, is more indented by small bays; in the southern and eastern
parts, several large bays protrude deeply into the land.
 3. American climate. The environment and pollution.
Most of the United States (northern and central) has a temperate
climate, while the southern part has a subtropical climate. Florida is
considered the warmest state. The temperature during the year is not
below +24 degrees Celsius. Also Hawaii is a warm place. Here you can
swim all year round. Alaska is arctic cold. The main part of the country is
recognized as favorable for human habitation, industry and agriculture.
Land, fresh water sources, forests, and mineral deposits make up the
environment. There are five great lakes in the server. The main river is the
Mississippi River. The U.S. has environmental pollution. These are air
pollution, deteriorating water quality, and increased trash. Huge amounts of
toxic substances are released into the atmosphere. Industrial plants,
agriculture are the main sources of pollution. Not only industrial plants, but
also the population will increase the volume of garbage.
Ecology in the United States is of great importance. The operation of
the law on the cleanliness of the natural environment, the introduction of
new methods of waste processing, punishment for violation of
environmental laws - all this ensures the preservation of the
environment.
4. The main stages of American historical development.

The history of the United States of America begins with the

settlement of the North American continent. In 1620, the pilgrims who
arrived from England on the shores of today's New England on the
Mayflower ship. They founded their first settlement here.
Gradually, numerous Indian cultures formed on the continent. With
the arrival of Europeans, the colonial history of America began. Most of the
colonies formed after 1600.
The USA in 1776 consisted of only thirteen colonies that were part
of British North America. After declaring independence in 1776, they had to
fight Great Britain in the War of Independence. Under the Treaty of Paris in
1783, Great Britain formally recognized the independence of the United
States.
The basis of the US Constitution is the text approved in 1788, which
included the US Declaration of Independence. The supreme court of law in
the United States is the Supreme Court. The abolition of slavery was a
painful process that affected the interests of many citizens and vast regions
of the American South, which provoked the decay of the state and Civil
war in 1861-1865.
After the US Civil War came economic growth, improved living
standards. It ended with the onset of the Great Depression in 1929. The
measures taken by the government supported citizens who suffered during
the period of economic decline, which marked a new stage in the creation
of a welfare state in the United States. The recovery of the American
economy was helped by the government's military orders, which
increased dramatically with the outbreak of World War II (1939-1945) and
then the Cold War(1947-1991), which led to the transformation of the
United States into a world superpower.
 5. War for Independence. Declaration of Independence.
Its influence on the beginnings of the future American
society.

American War of Independence (American Revolution) - the war

of the American colonies (13 colonies) against Great Britain. War years
1775-1783.
England paid very little attention to overseas affairs. Her government
was more concerned with interior problems and European politics. During
their existence, the colonies gained sufficient experience of self-
government, did not observe with the restrictions on trade that were in force
in the metropolis. Causes of the war of independence: severe restrictions
and control from the mother country. English forces were in the territory of
the colonies always. Interdiction of colonists to move to the West. The
introduction of a tax on any product. All decisions regarding the colonies
were made without taking into account the colonists themselves. The
Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776. Thomas Jefferson
took part in the composition of the US Declaration of Independence. On
July 4, 1776, the US Congress approved the Declaration of Independence.
The declaration was the beginning of the war for independence, which
lasted 7 years. It was the first document that reflected the interests of the
people and civil rights.
Victory in the War of Independence freed the Americans from British
domination. Thus, America was now able to develop independently. The
country's economy also developed rapidly. Customs duties disappeared,
which gave impetus to industrial development.
The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in Paris.
 6. The Civil War in the USA – the darkest period in the
history of the USA.

The American Civil War was the bloodiest conflict in the nation's
history. The years of the Civil War are 1861 to 1865. The U.S. Civil War
(1861-1865) is also called the War of the North and the South. Between
the North and the South of the United States a series of political, economic,
and ethical differences developed. This led to a split in the country.
Emigrants flocked from all over the world in search of a better life. In the
North developed industry, built large cities, and built railroads. The
northern states guaranteed personal freedom for everyone.
The South was home to the descendants of the European
aristocracy. Slaves were used for labor in the South. Politics in the South
was built on the principle of "do what you want, but don't interfere with
others"-each state was essentially an independent state. The causes of
the Civil War were political contradictions, economic disagreements, and
attitudes toward slavery. All agriculture in the South was based on slave
labor. The North advocated the abolition of slavery. Abraham Lincoln
became president in 1860. He was against slavery. The main outcome of
the war was the famous 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which
abolished slavery nationwide. It was a crucial step toward equal rights for
American society. It took more than ten years for the U.S. economy to
recover from the Civil War.
 7. Great Depression
The Great Depression is an economic crisis. It began in the United
States in 1929 and lasted until 1932. The economic crisis began in the
U.S., but then there were also Canada, Great Britain, Germany, and
France. The main reason was the rapid development of the market. Many
goods of all groups were produced. The population was not able to buy
everything. Farmers who planted their fields. They were left with a mass of
their produce.
By the 1920s there was an overproduction of wheat, corn, cotton,
wool. As a result, most of the banks closed, industrial production was cut
in half, unemployment increased, many farmers went bankrupt, and the
grain crop was cut in half. Foreign trade deteriorated and the national
currency depreciated.
«The New Deal» was an economic and social program to deal with
the crisis. It was made by Franklin Roosevelt. There were reforms in
banking, industry, and agriculture. Agricultural prices went up, people had
jobs (labor camps were organized). State loans were given to farmers.
The standard of living improved and the crisis was overcome.
 8. Interwar America and World War II. The Post-war Era
and the Cold War Period.
World War II, a conflict that engulfed almost all parts of the world in
1939-45. The main parts were the Axis Powers — Germany, Italy
and Japan — and allies — France, Great Britain, the United States,
the Soviet Union and, to a lesser extent, China. With the outbreak of
World War II (1939-1945), America remained neutral in Europe.
However, on December 7, 1941, America entered the war, which led
to a brutal Pacific campaign. The war in Asia was basically a series of
naval battles and amphibious operations in order to weaken the
Japanese grip on the islands in the Pacific Ocean. The final battles
were among the bloodiest in the war. The war ended with the
dropping of two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.
By 1948, a new form of international tension had emerged - the Cold
War. It reached its peak in 1948-53. From 1953 to 1957, tensions in
the Cold War eased somewhat, however, the confrontation persisted.
Throughout the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union
avoided direct military confrontation in Europe. A serious split
occurred between the Soviet Union and China in 1960 and
intensified over the years, shattering the unity of the communist bloc.
The 1970s were marked by the easing of Cold War tensions. The
Cold War began to wind down in the late 1980s under Michael
Gorbachev. He dismantled the totalitarian aspects of the Soviet
system and began efforts to democratize the Soviet political system.
When the communist regimes in the countries of the Soviet bloc of
Eastern Europe collapsed in 1989-90, Gorbachev resigned himself to
their fall. At the end of 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed and the Cold
War came to an end.
 9. Population of the USA. Waves of immigration. Ethnic
dimension.
The colonial period was from 1607-1680. The first immigrants were
called colonists because they founded the first colonies in America.
The first wave of immigration, was from 1680 to about 1776 where
Scots-Irish and Germans were the major immigrant groups. After, the
War of Independence, there was not much immigration until 1820.
The second wave of immigration from 1820 to 1890 was a period
where America went from being mainly a rural and agricultural society
to the beginnings of an industrial society. It was during this second
wave, that many Irish and Norwegians emigrated. The Irish were
highly dependent on the potato and when the potato crop failed in the
1840’s many either emigrated or faced starvation. Emigration was
largely to Northern England or the United States. Most of the
Norwegians emigrated to the Midwest. During the latter part of this
period, the United States grew to a major industrial nation and this
growth continued on into the third wave, which was from 1890 to
about 1930. During the third wave, the United States received a
whole new type of immigrants. They mostly came from Eastern and
Southern European cities and moved into American cities and worked
in industry. This wave continued until the Great Depression and World
War II. A fourth wave of immigration began in 1965 and is still
ongoing. In this wave there is a mixture of Asians (Koreans,
Vietnamese, Cambodians, Chinese and Japanese,) and Hispanics;
people from Latin America and South America. Today immigrants
make up 14% of the US population. This number is expected to rise
to 18% by 2065. It is also projected that Asians will become the
largest immigrant group.
10. The American ways of life (attitudes, sports, clothing,
cuisine, housing, living standard, family arrangements).
The American way of life is diverse. At the center of the American
way is the belief in an American Dream that is claimed to be
achievable by any American through hard work. The American
Dream’ is based on the premise that anyone, from any background
can achieve anything. The family unit is generally considered the
nuclear family, and is typically small. Extended family relatives live in
their own homes, often at great distances from their children.
American cuisine was influenced by Europeans and Native
Americans in its early history. Today, there are a number of foods
that are commonly identified as American, such as hamburgers, hot
dogs, potato chips, macaroni and cheese, and meat loaf. Sport is
very popular in the USA with American football, baseball, basketball
and ice- hockey being the most popular. Baseball, is known as
America's favorite pastime, although its popularity has been eclipsed
by football for the past three decades, according to the Harris Poll.
Clothing styles vary by social status, region, occupation and climate.
Jeans, sneakers, baseball caps, cowboy hats and boots are some
items of clothing that are closely associated with Americans. Ralph
Lauren, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors and Victoria Secret are some well-
known American brands. Many holidays are celebrated only in the
United States. Americans celebrate their independence from Britain
on July 4. The most famous holiday is Thanksgiving. It is celebrated
on the fourth Thursday in November etc.
 11. Holidays of the United States. Federal Holidays.
There are many holidays in the USA. These are: Thanksgiving Day,
Independence Day, Christmas Day, Columbus Day, Martin Luther
King Day, Washington's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Veterans
Day.
Thanksgiving Day - is considered the most American of the holidays.
It is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. The holiday
commemorates the first hard year the Pilgrims lived in the New World.

Independence Day - holiday commemorates the adoption of the

Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on
July 4, 1776.
Christmas Day - December 25, is the most festive time of the year in
the US. Students from elementary school through college have one to
two weeks’ vacation beginning shortly before Christmas and ending
after the New Year.
Columbus Day - Throughout most of the US Columbus Day, the
anniversary of the landing of Christopher Columbus in the New World
on October 12, 1492 is celebrated on the second Monday in October.
Martin Luther King Day - On November 2, 1983, President Ronald
Reagan signed legislation establishing a legal holiday, honoring
Martin Luther King, Jr. (born January 15), the 1964 Nobel Peace
laureate and the individual most associated with the triumphs of the
Civil Rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s.
Washington's Day - The February 22 birthday of George Washington,
military leader of the American Revolution and first president of the
United States, has been a legal holiday since 1885.
Memorial Day – is celebrated last Monday in May. Beginning after the
1861–65 Civil War, many states observed a May 30 holiday (known
as “Decoration Day”) honoring the lives lost in that conflict, often by
decorating their graves with flowers.
Labor Day – is celebrated on the first Monday in September.
Veterans Day - is celebrated on November 11, 1918.
 12. Education in the United States. (preschool, middle
school, high school public vs. private schools)
Education in the USA differs from many other countries. There are 50
states in the country and each of them has its own peculiarities. So
the national system varies from state to state. Education in the USA
comprises into three types of schools: public school, private
elementary school and private secondary school. Only public
schools are free and they have their own system in each state.
Private schools, depending on the area, require a certain fee.
Elementary education is available from the age of six or seven. The
main school subjects at this stage are English, Arithmetic, Natural
Sciences, History of the USA, Geography, Physical Training and
several others. Besides learning English, many school children
choose to study different foreign languages, such as French, German,
Spanish, Russian, Italian etc. Children study at Elementary school till
they are 16. After that, they can go to secondary school, which is also
known as high school. Many high schools offer selective subjects for
those students who want to enter a specific college or university after
school graduation. The majority of American pupils continue their
studies after school. Some go to the college, some to the university.
Studying at college lasts for four years, and after that the student gets
a Bachelor’s degree. Studying at university may take four or more
years.
 13. The system of higher education
The system of higher education in the United States differs from
Europe in certain ways. In the United States, there is a nationwide
assumption that students who have completed secondary school
should have at least two years of university education. Therefore, a
great number of “junior colleges” and “community colleges” where a
majority of students complete four years of study for a degree. In the
American system, the four-year, or “bachelor’s,” degree is ordinarily
obtained not by passing a “finals” examination but rather by the
accumulation of course “credits,” or hours of classroom study. The
quality of work done in these courses is assessed by means of a
continuous record of marks and grades in a course transcript. The
completion of a certain number (and variety) of courses with passing
grades leads to the “bachelor’s” degree. The first two years of a
student’s studies are generally taken up with prescribed courses in a
broad range of subject areas, along with some “elective” courses
selected by the student. In the third and fourth years of study, the
student specializes in one or perhaps two subject fields. Postgraduate
students can pursue either advanced studies or research in one of the
many graduate schools, which are usually specialized institutions. At
these schools, students work toward either a “master’s” degree
(which involves one to two years of postgraduate study) or a doctoral
degree (which involves two to four years of study and other
requirements).
First year students - “fresh men. Second year - 2nd year
(Sophomore); Third year - 3rd year (Junior); Fourth year - 4th year
(Senior).
 14. The General political structure.
The United States of America, a federation of 50 states was set up by the
Constitution in 1787. Under the Constitution, the federal government is
divided into three branches.
The legislative power is vested in Congress. It is made up of two houses:
the Senate and the House of Representatives. There are 100 senators and
435 members in the House of Representatives. Both houses must accept
the bill for it to become a law. But before each bill is sorted by a committee.
There are 16 standing committees in the Senate and 20 in the House of
Representatives.
The executive branch is headed by the President, who offers bill to
Congres, provides federal laws, administers national government, makes
treates, serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces and appoints
higher officers. The President can veto a bill unless Congress by a two-
thirds vote shall overrule him. The President is the head of the Cabinet
which today has eleven members.
The judicial branch is made up of Federal District Courts.11 Federal
Courts and the Supreme Court. Federal judges are appointed by the
President for life. Federal Courts decide cases involving federal law
conflicts between states or between citizens of different states. The
Supreme Court may rule the law to be unconstitutional.
Each branch of government can change acts of the other branches:
The president can veto legislation created by Congress and nominates
heads of federal agencies.
Congress confirms or rejects the president's nominees and can remove
the president from office in exceptional circumstances.
The Justices of the Supreme Court, who can overturn unconstitutional
laws, are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
This ability of each branch to respond to the actions of the other branches
is called the system of checks and balances.
 15. The Legislative Branch.
The legislative branch drafts proposed laws, confirms or rejects presidential
nominations for heads of federal agencies, federal judges, and the Supreme Court,
and has the authority to declare war. This branch includes Congress (It is made up
of two houses: the Senate and House of Representatives) and special agencies and
offices that provide support services to Congress.
There are 100 senators and 435 members in the House of Representatives. Both
houses must accept the bill for it to become a law. But before each bill is sorted by
a committee. There are 16 standing committees in the Senate and 20 in the House
of Representatives. Congress also confirms or rejects the president's nominees and
can remove the president from office in exceptional circumstances. American
citizens have the right to vote for Senators and Representatives through free,
confidential ballots.

16. The Executive Branch.

The executive branch carries out and enforces laws. It includes the president, vice
president, the Cabinet, executive departments, independent agencies, and other
boards, commissions, and committees.
The president leads the country. He or she is the head of state, leader of the federal
government, and Commander in Chief of the United States armed forces. The
President is the head of the Cabinet which today has eleven members. The
president can veto legislation created by Congress and nominates heads of federal
agencies.
The president serves a four-year term and can be elected no more than two times.
American citizens have the right to vote for the president and vice president
through free, confidential ballots.
 17. The President, Vice President. The President’s Cabinet.
President—The president leads the country. He or she is the head of state,
leader of the federal government, and Commander in Chief of the United States
armed forces. The president serves a four-year term and can be elected no more
than two times.
Vice president—The vice president supports the president. If the president
is unable to serve, the vice president becomes president. The vice president can be
elected and serve an unlimited number of four-year terms as vice president, even
under a different president.
The Cabinet—Cabinet members serve as advisors to the president. They
include the vice president, heads of executive departments, and other high-ranking
government officials. Cabinet members are nominated by the president and must
be approved by a simple majority of the Senate—51 votes if all 100 Senators vote.

18. Election System.

Every 4 years, the US Americans elect their president and thus the most powerful
office in the world.
In other U.S. elections, candidates are elected directly by popular vote. But the
president and vice president are not elected directly by citizens. Instead, they are
chosen by “electors” through a process called the Electoral College. Elected
electors represent the opinion of their state in the „Electoral College“.
Each state gets as many electors as it has members of Congress. There are
currently 538 electors in all. A candidate needs the vote of at least 270 electors—
more than half of all electors in the U.S.—to win the presidential election. The
winner gets all the electoral votes for that state.
Problems: Parties and candidates try to get as many as possible votes in states
with a high amount of electors and ignore the others. The party with more than 270
electoral votes wins, though another one has more votes of the people in fact (f.e.
Bush vs. Gore)
 19. Political Parties of the USA.
There are two major political parties in the USA: the Democratic Party and
Republican Party. It’s the two major political parties which control the US
Congress since 1856.
The Democratic Party (Democrats)
It is the oldest political party in the United States and also, one of the oldest in the
world. The Democratic Party based on American liberalism and progressivism.
The party believes that it is the governments duty to distribute wealth evenly. They
introduce higher taxation and welfare benefits. Their support comes from urban
areas and minorities.
At present, this party has given the United States 15 US Presidents, including
President Barack Obama, Woodrow Wilson (1913 – 1921), Franklin D. Roosevelt
(1933 – 1945), Harry Truman (1945 – 1953), John Kennedy (1961-63) etc.
The Republican Party (Republicans)
The Republican Party, also referred to as the Grand Old Party (GOP), was founded
by anti-slavery activists and modernizers. They believe in low taxation and little
interference from the Federal Government. The encourage individuals to work hard
and do not like welfare. A party for the rich and Middle Class.
The Republican Party first came to power under the leadership of Abraham
Lincoln. Other Republicans include George W. Bush, Theodore Roosevelt (1901 –
1909), Dwight Eisenhower (1953 – 1961), Ronald Reagan (1981 – 1989), etc.
 20. U.S. Culture (specific features)
Culture includes religion, food, what they wear, language, marriage, music,
religion, behavior, how they greet visitors, and a million other things.
Population. In addition to Native Americans who were already living on the
continent, the population of the United States was built on immigration from other
countries. Because of this, the United States is one of the most culturally diverse
countries in the world. Nearly every region of the world has influenced American
culture.
Language. There is no official language of the United States. While almost every
language in the world is spoken in the United States, the most frequently spoken
languages are English, Spanish, Chinese, French and German.
Religion. Nearly every known religion is practiced in the United States, which was
founded on the basis of religious freedom. About 71% of Americans identify
themselves as Christians.
Style. Clothing styles vary by social status, region, occupation and climate. Jeans,
sneakers, baseball caps, cowboy hats and boots are some items of clothing that are
closely associated with Americans. Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors and
Victoria Secret are some well-known American brands.
Food. There are a number of foods that are commonly identified as American,
such as hamburgers, hot dogs, potato chips, meat loaf, fried chicken, collard
greens, black-eyed peas and corn bread.
Sport. The United States is a sports-minded country, with millions of fans who
follow football, baseball, basketball and hockey, among other sports. Baseball, is
known as America's favorite pastime.
Holidays. Many holidays are celebrated only in the United States. Americans
celebrate their independence from Britain on July 4. Memorial Day, celebrated on
the last Monday in May, honors those who have died in military service. Labor
Day, observed on the first Monday in September, celebrates the country's
workforce. Thanksgiving, celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November and
dates back to colonial times to celebrate the harvest.
The Family. The family unit is generally considered the nuclear family, and is
typically small. Far family relatives live in their own homes, often at great
distances from their children. Individualism is prized, and this is reflected in the
family unit.