United States is a third largest country in the world- 9.6 million
square km of area, about 2.5 times the size of Western Europe. Climate is
mostly moderate but tropical in Hawaii and Florida and arctic in Alaska. Winters in Northwest are cold. US mainland spans 4 time
zones: Eastern (-5 UTC), Central (-6), Mountain (-7), and Pacific (-8). Terrain
includes vast central plain, mountains in the west, volcanic mountains in Hawaii, and hills in east. Elevation varies from -86m in
Death Valley to 6,194m at Mount McKinley. Population estimate as of 2002 is
about 280 million people. Capital in Washington, DC. Currency is US dollar. Highway, telephone, electricity, water
infrastructures are very good. Major natural hazards that may limit travel
include earthquakes in the West, hurricanes along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts, tornadoes in the Midwest and Southeast, forest
fires and flooding. Inexpensive flights to major US airports (New York,
Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Atlanta, Seattle, Boston, Miami) are available. US
is a popular tourist destination with over 40 million visitors a year. Most international visitors will need a visa. Displayed
product prices in most states don't include sales taxes that vary from 0% to 15%. 110V
electricity outlets are used. British imperial measure units are used. Food and motel prices are comparable to Western
Europe. Hotel prices in largest cities are over $100 a day. Gas prices are 2-4 times cheaper, usually varying between $1.10 to
$1.60 a gallon. Most popular US desitantions are cities like New York with
Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park and various museums, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, Miami and
San Francisco. Most popular US travel options are by airlines or by car. Traveling
by train and by bus is harder because of large distances and underdeveloped compared to Europe public transportation system.
Top US tourist attractions include Yellowstone Park, Grand Canyon, Space Needle, Mount
Rushmore, Statue of Liberty, White House, Hoover Dam, Disneyland, and Disneyworld.
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