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UNITED STATES

Welcome
Sunset Over Manhattan

Welcome

Motto: "In God We Trust"
Anthem: "The Star-Spangled Banner"

The United States is a country located in North America bordering the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean. Neighboring countries are Canada and Mexico. The geography of the United States is varied with mountains in the west, a broad central plain, and low mountains in the east.

Capital: Washington, D.C. 38°53′N 77°01′W.

Population: 331,894 million inhabitants.

Gross Domestic Product - GDP (PPP): $25.035 trillion.

Official languages: English.

Area: 9,833,520 km2.

Water (%): 4.66. 

Currency: U.S. dollar ($) (USD).

Safety rating: Ranked 129 on the Global Peace Index with a score of 2.44.

Food

Food

Americans are very notorious for consuming only junk food. That's why we love them. Who remembers ''Super Size Me''? It's not just a legend: hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, fries, soda, very sweet pastries, etc., they are very fond of this type of product. It's inexpensive, easy to access and as well as simple to consume. However, contrary to what one might think, many Americans have a very “healthy” lifestyle. It is also in the United States that research in terms of food is the densest. Sprouted seeds, cranberries or kale, for example, are foods with a very high nutritional density. These foods are also very representative of the American diet, as are vegan, vegetarian and keto diets which occupy a central place.

 

Hamburgers
It is found all over the country in all forms. My personal favorite is the Cheeseburger. Attention to all the amateurs, the American burgers are often of a much larger size than what we know in overseas. Many also claim that there is more salt in the US McDonald's menu than the one in France. Will try. For Science.

 

Bacon
Typically, these thin slices of smoked pork belly are eaten for breakfast or in sandwiches. But it can also be found in other forms: in ice cream, mayonnaise (known as "baconnaise"), chocolate and even in the form of toothpaste.

Buffalo Wings

Buffalo Wings are Chicken wings smothered in hot buffalo sauce! Most historians say that Buffalo Wings were invented during the 1960s in Buffalo, New York & was named after that town.

Ranch Dressing

Ranch is the most popular dressing in the US, and it was born in California.  Steve Henson, owner of Hidden Valley Ranch, invented a buttermilk dressing with herbs and spices in the 1950s.

Corn Bread

Today, corn bread is a staple side-dish of southern cooking.  The dish originally came from Native Americans.  Historians say that Native Americans were likely making corn bread long before the first European ever set foot in North America.

Peanut Butter

Whether it’s slathered on bread or eaten straight from the jar, Americans love peanut butter.  South American Incas may have been the very first to grind peanuts into a paste, but you can’t talk about any modern peanut products without mentioning Dr. George Washington Carver, who came up with more than 300 uses for peanuts - including peanut butter as we know it today.  It was also debuted at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

America’s favorite cookie was first baked in Whitman, Massachusetts by Ruth Wakefield in 1930.  It is said that the cookies were a happy accident.  Wakefield ran out of baker’s chocolate (for chocolate cookies) and substituted chunks of Nestle’s semi-sweet chocolate.  She expected the chocolate pieces to melt throughout the whole cookie, but the pieces remained whole.  She named it the Toll House Crunch Cookie after her family-owned inn.

Soul Food

Since they were brought to the US in the 18th century, African Americans created dishes out of whatever was available to them.  Thus, some of southern cooking’s favorite recipes were born; foods like: fried catfish, collard greens, ham hocks and grits, and sweet potato pie. The term “soul food” was coined in the 1960s.


Mac and cheese
“Macaroni and cheese”, also called “mac and cheese” are the representatives of the comforting dish (or “comfort food”), simple and quick to make: macaroni with a cheese sauce grilled in the oven. For the little anecdote, it was Thomas Jefferson who would have brought the idea from Italy.


Corn
Corn is one of the foods fairly representative of the United States. This food can be eaten boiled or grilled. Eating corn on the cob is not a new American idea. American Indians were already consuming it before the arrival of settlers.


Jerky
Jerky is thin slices of marinated and then dried meat. Traditionally, jerky is used as a means of preserving meat so that it can be consumed at any time. Americans now eat it more like a snack. This product is quite healthy because it is low in fat and high in protein. However, it should not be abused.

Donuts
This pastry is the American version of the french croissant. The donut is usually eaten with a large  cup of coffee, either for breakfast or during the afternoon break. The donut (in the shape of a ring) is the flagship pastry of the United States, so famous that it has its own national day: the "National Donut Day", celebrated since 1938. It is also Homer Simpson's favorite line: ''Mmm... donuts.''

The pecan pie
The famous pecan pie is traditionally served during winter periods with ice cream or whipped cream. The secret of its very particular taste lies in the choice to use corn syrup instead of white sugar.

 

The milkshake
The milkshake is one of the most legendary drinks in the United States. Composed of ice cream, milk, most of the time fruit to flavor, all mixed. This drink can be found all over the United States, especially in diners.

 

Popcorn
It is the American snack par excellence. For the record, its popularity exploded during the Great Depression, because it was very inexpensive. Many states are fighting over its creation, but it was Illinois that made it an official snack.

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Transportation

Transportation

Public transport
The quality of public transportation in the United States depends heavily on where you live. Major city transportation systems can include buses, subways, trams, and ferries. Major cities such as New York, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Washington D.C., Newark, Philadelphia and Seattle have the most extensive public transportation networks in the country and are used by many people for their daily commute.

New York

The vast majority of New Yorkers use the MTA's subway and bus system to get to work. More than 400 subway stations, spread over 36 lines, are scattered throughout the boroughs of Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx. It is, for many, the fastest and most economical means of transport, not to mention the fact that buses and metros run non-stop 24 hours a day. Metro cards, called Metrocard, are also used on board buses. If you take transport every day, it is better to opt for an unlimited pass for the week ($32) or the month ($121). 

Miami

The buses are equipped with air conditioning and are well maintained and have no fixed schedule. They are available anywhere in the city at all hours of the day and night. The bus ticket is cheap - $2 to $3. The Metromover is one of the main means of rail transport and the smallest of all. As small as it is, it surprises by being the most efficient of all railways. In addition, it is free and operates from 5 a.m. to midnight daily. However, on weekends the hours may change. The fact that it is elevated, helps bypass downtown traffic. If you love or work around Brickellor Bayfront, be sure to take the Metromover

It is the same version as the Metromover but larger and can be considered complicated from the user's point of view. Its route extends from Palmetto to Dadeland with stops at each possible terminal. As you cannot pay cash for this means of transport, it is advisable to buy the ticket at the metro station. If you regularly travel to Miami International Airport from or to Coconut Grove, you will find the Metrorail useful.

This is the bulk of rail transport in Miami, and unlike the two options mentioned above, the tri-rail covers the three departments of Miami, namely, Miami, Broward and Palm Beach. It can therefore travel long distances from county to county. Just like the metrorail, you will have to buy the ticket beforehand or bring the Easycard card. Tickets are also available online. On average, it costs $2 to $7 for the tri-rail.

Taxi

Taxis are common in cities but are one of the most expensive forms of transport and not generally used for daily commuting, although the rise of Uber and Lyft has increased people's tendency to use taxis. chargeable car transport services. Note that in the United States, drivers must receive a tip of at least 10% of the total price of the trip.

Shuttle

For longer distances, shuttles and buses are available for intercity travel. Greyhound bus lines, for example, serve most of the country at really low prices.

Train
The United States has more than 220,000 km of railroads that serve both freight and passengers. In the northeast region in particular, commuter trains are common and used daily for short or intercity journeys. Only one class is offered and you can usually buy your ticket at the station, without reservation.

Long-distance train travel is possible, but the lack of convenient routes and long travel times make it uncommon. Amtrak is the largest rail operator and offers services such as sleeping cars for long runs as well as onboard food and drink. A prior reservation is usually necessary.

Car

If you have just arrived in the United States, you may consider renting a car for a short period of time, unless you live in New York, Boston, San Francisco and other cities where public transport is more useful. There are many rental locations in almost every city in the United States. Rental prices vary depending on the type of vehicle (large vehicles like SUVs are more expensive than compact cars) and the package (for example if you want unlimited mileage). In most agencies, a credit card, a valid driver's license, and sometimes an international driver's license, are required to rent a car. Car insurance is mandatory in the United States and if it is not provided by your credit card company, you will need to purchase an insurance package from the rental agency.

Plane
The United States is a big country and when traveling long distances, flying is often the most convenient option. If you consider the cost of gas and stopovers versus the price of a long-distance train, the prices are about the same. There are many low-cost airlines and each state has a number of airports through which hundreds of thousands of passengers pass through every day. Ticket prices vary depending on your destination, the travel period and the travel class you choose.

Best Things to Do

Best things to do

Since the United States is such a vast territory, it's difficult to pin point specific activities. So here is a list of the best things to do in each states:

 

Alabama
Learn about Montgomery’s history.

Alaska
Go cruising for glaciers.


Arizona
Photograph the Canyons.


Arkansas
Seek out modern art in the Ozarks.      


California
Drive the Pacific Coast Highway.


Colorado
Catch an outdoor concert.


Connecticut
Take a fall foliage-themed river cruise.     


Delaware
Get a heady dose of Italian Renaissance design.      


Florida
Drive 127 miles for a slice of pie and enjoy the many beaches.


Georgia
Get spooked in Savannah.


Hawaii
Take a helicopter tour of Kauai.     


Idaho
Enjoy pure, unobstructed stargazing.


Illinois
Spend 3.5 hours eating Chicago’s best pizza.  


Indiana
Visit one of the country's newest National Parks.


Iowa
Stay in a hotel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. 


Kansas
See sunflowers the size of your head.


Kentucky
Shop for massive hats before the Derby.


Louisiana
Take a drag tour in New Orleans.


Maine
When in doubt, eat lobster.


Maryland
Watch baseball at the country’s most beautiful stadium.


Massachusetts
Become a cranberry farmer for a day.


Michigan
Experience a world without cars.


Minnesota
Take a North Shore road trip.


Mississippi
Explore the movement that changed the nation.


Missouri
Eat your body weight in BBQ.


Montana
Get a taste of dude ranch life—celebrity-style.


Nebraska
Travel the actual Oregon Trail.


Nevada
Get an aerial view of Sin City.


New Hampshire
Try your hand at winter surfing.


New Jersey
Order a "regular sub" in Atlantic City.


New Mexico
Wave to a seven-story-high Darth Vader.


New York
Cruise the Hudson & visit Time Square.


North Carolina
Head to the Outer Banks.


North Dakota
Experience the magic of The Enchanted Highway.


Ohio
Eat burgers in Columbus.


Oklahoma
Search for Art Deco treasures.


Oregon
Drink the best wine outside of Burgundy.


Pennsylvania
Eat your way through Reading Terminal Market.


Puerto Rico
Explore Old San Juan.     


Rhode Island
Sail like you're in the America's Cup.


South Carolina
Visit an island with no street lights.


South Dakota
Experience the beauty of the Badlands.


Tennessee
Treat yourself at Blackberry Mountain.


Texas
Trade bird watching for bat watching.


Utah
Tour the Mighty Five.


Vermont
Go dog sledding (with a clear conscience).


Virginia
Get out of the city and into nature.


Washington
Stand in the middle of a rainforest.


Washington, D.C.
Spend the entire afternoon at the best Smithsonian museum.


West Virginia
Spend the night in a treehouse.


Wisconsin
Fill up on cheese curds.


Wyoming
Skip the crowds at Yellowstone by visiting in the winter.

Source: cntraveler.

Best time time to visit
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Best time to visit

The United States can be visited throughout the year. However, places like Alaska can get rough during the winter months between November to March. 

 

The best time to visit the USA is either during spring (late March to late May) or autumn (late September to late October). These are the seasons before and after summer, so mild temperatures and fewer visitors in the most popular destinations.

Quick tips

Quick tips

Tips & Tricks

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended date of departure from the United States.

Always remember to go out with a valid ID, even if you are 40 years old. You only need to look under 30 in some states to be asked for your ID. Store your passport at the hotel and leave with your identity card, recognized everywhere without problem. If you do not have an ID, you will be refused entry. In the USA, they do not laugh with the laws, the majority in the USA is 21 years old and if you seem to be under 25, the presentation of an identity document is mandatory.

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