The United States of America

The United States of America

Учитель английского языка:

Бакутова Алена Юрьевна

Contents

• The United States of the America
• The map of the USA
• The national symbol
• The flag of the USA
• Washington D. C.
• New York City
• Holidays of the USA
• Traditions of the Americans

The USA

• The United States of America is the fourth largest country in the world (after Russia, Canada, and China). It’s very diverse. America is divided into 50 states and each of them has its own star on the American flag. Each state has its own government and even its own laws which differ from state to state. The capital of the USA is Washington where the White House is situated. Other big cities are New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. They are big financial and cultural centers. The interesting fact is that it borders only with two countries, Canada and Mexico, but it’s washed by two oceans, Atlantic and Pacific and is famous for its beautiful beaches in California. The country is rich with different natural resources such as coal, natural gas, gold and silver. It has strong economical system and highly developed industry and agriculture.

• The United States of America is considered to be a country of unlimited opportunities. Millions of people have arrived there to fulfill their American dream. Some of them dream to become Hollywood actors, others have a wish to live in cozy houses with white fences. Anyway, the USA attracts with its spirit of freedom and democracy. But what is real America really like?

The map of the America

• If we look at the map of the USA, we can see lowlands and mountains. The highest mountains are the Rocky Mountains, the Cordillera, and the Sierra Nevada. The highest peak is Mount McKinley, which is located in Alaska.

The symbol of the USA

• The eagle became the official national symbol of the country in 1782. It has an olive branch (a symbol of peace) and arrows (symbols of the strength). You can see the eagle on the back of a dollar bill.

The flag of the USA

• The flag of the USA is one of the most complicated in the world. It consists of 13 stripes , seven red and six white and 50 stars. It is called ‘The Stars and Stripes’. The stripes represent the 13 colonies, which in 1776 declared themselves free and independent of England. The 50 white stars representing the present number of states in the union are placed on the blue field in the upper left comer of the flag.

Washington D. C

• Washington, D. C. (District of Columbia) is the capital of the USA. It was named after George Washington, the first president of the country. This is are political center of the US. This city stands on the Potomac River. The central part of D. C. is called the Mall. This is a green avenue where museums and art galleries are situated. The Capital and the White House (the residence of the president) are situated there, too. The White House is the oldest public building in the District of Columbia.
• The Capital Building is one of the greatest buildings in Washington. It’s easy to recognize because of its large white dome, which is the fourth largest dome in the world. There is a law that no building in D. C. can be taller then the Capitol, so it can be seen from any part of the city. This tradition is still kept.
• Most of the people who live in the Washington work for government. Others live in the outskirts of the city, in the so-called villages. The Metro system of the city is very well-organized. It is very clean as it’s prohibited to eat or drink anything in cars and on platforms.
• The city is planned very well. Streets that run from south to north are numbered. The streets that go from east to west are lettered. Large streets are called avenues and have the names of big states. For example, Pennsylvania Avenue. So, it’s hard to get lost in Washington.
• It is very interesting city and I will visit it one day.

New York City

• New York city, which is situated in New York State, is the biggest city of the USA. It is also called The big Apple . In the 19 th century it was very dirty with chickens walking along streets and avenues. When immigrants began to arrive, New York started to grow fast. The first skyscraper was built in 1888. It had only thirteen floors, but the next one had twenty-two. The Empire State Building has 102 floors. Now New York is an industrial, financial, political, cultural and business center of the country. Brooklyn is also called the bedroom of New York because many people live there.

• Manhattan is the heart of the New York. It is the center of American finance, art, theatre, fashion, shopping, etc. Manhattan is divided into two sides: the West Side and the East Side. There is also a division into Downtown, Midtown and Uptown Manhattan. The Wall Street is one of the most famous streets in New York.

• Chinatown is another tourist attraction of New York. It has a lot of restaurants and small shops.
• The financial center of New York is Midtown Manhattan where there are plenty of offices, companies and skyscrapers. The Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building are one of the tallest buildings in the world.

• Times Square is famous for its colorful advertisements and Theater District which begins at the Square and goes to Broadway Street. Broadway is the home to many big and small theaters of New York. It starts in Times Square.
• Central Park which is in Uptown Manhattan was designed in the 1850. There are many places of interest in it: a skating-rink, a zoo, a lake where you can row, and an outdoor theater. People can take a horse ride through Central Park or rent a bicycle.

• New York is the well-planned city, so it is easy for strangers to find their way there.
• Streets are called by ordinal numbers or letters of the alphabet, for example, First Avenue, Second Street, Avenue B, etc.
• New York is an exciting city and I would love to visit it.

Holidays in the USA

• American holidays are strikingly different in origin and show surprising similarities in the manner of their celebration. No matter what the holiday's origin is, they all seem to be the same thing. A holiday has simply become, for most Americans, a day off from work, though some (for example, Thanksgiving and Christmas) retain some individuality.
• The major holidays in the USA are:

New Year's Day, January, 1st:

• People stay awake until after midnight on December 31st to "watch the Old Year out and the New Year in." Many parties are given on this night. Theatres, night clubs, restaurants are crowded. When midnight comes, they greet the New Year: people gather in the streets of big cities, they ring bells, blow whistles and automobile horns, some shoot off guns and firecrackers.

Valentine's Day, February, 14th:

• It is not a national holiday. Banks and offices do not close, but it is a happy little festival in honour of St Valentine, patron of sweethearts and lovers. It is widely celebrated among people of all ages by the exchange of "valentines." A "valentine" may mean a special greeting card or a little present. The greeting cards are often coloured red, have red trimmings and pictures of hearts.

Washington's Birthday, February, 22d:

• In addition to commemorating the birth of the United States' first President, it's a great day for shoppers. The department stores of Washington, DC, stated a national tradition of sales marked by unusual bargains. It is not a national holiday. Many schools, offices and banks close for this day, some stay open. The US Congress observes the birthday of George Washington with speeches and readings from his works.

Easter:

• Easter is in memory of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon between March, 22, and April, 25. The 40 days before Easter are called Lent. Just before Easter, schools and colleges usually close. Students have a week or ten days of spring vacation. Easter is a church holiday, and many churches have an outdoor sunrise service. People give each other presents of eggs which are the symbol of new life. There is a popular belief that wearing three new things on Easter will bring good luck throughout the year.

Memorial Day, May, 30th:

• It is a national holiday. Schools, banks and offices close for the day. On that day, Americans honour the servicemen who gave their lives in past wars. Schools, clubs and churches decorate the cemeteries. They put up the flags on the graves of the army, navy and airmen. They hold memorial services in churches, halls, parks and cemeteries. In addition to solemn services Memorial Day is often marked by other, more joyful ceremonies: colourful parades, sports competitions.

Independence Day, July, 4th:

• On this day, in 1776, America signed the Declaration of Independence. It is a national public holiday celebrated with fireworks and speeches praising "Americanism, democracy, free enterprise".

Labor Day, the first Monday in September:

• It is a holiday of recreation. It marks the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. Vacation time is over. Resorts, camps and beaches close. Parents go to summer camps and take their children back home.

Veterans Day:

• On this day, the radio and television broadcast services held at the National Cemetery in Arlington. High officials come from Washington to attend these services. They place a wreath of flowers at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. All stand in silence for a few minutes at eleven o'clock to honour the memory of the servicemen killed in the two World Wars.

Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in November:

• In the USA it is a national holiday. It was first celebrated in 1621 by the Pilgrim Fathers after their first good harvest. Thanksgiving is a family day, for it is customary for all members of the family to gather at the home of their parents. The family eats a large traditional dinner, usually with turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.

Christmas Day, December, 25th:

• It is usually a one-day official holiday, but it is preceded and followed by festive parties, and marked by special church services, gift-giving and feasting. Christmas is a family holiday. Schools and colleges close between Christmas and New-Year's Day. People stay at home and spend the time with their families. Everybody tries to come home for Christmas. People send cards or Christmas greetings to family and friends away from home. Every family tries to have a Christmas tree, which is beautifully decorated. Santa Claus comes from the North Pole in his sleigh, dressed in red cap and jacket, entering the house from chimney. He is a merry and fat individual. He has gifts of whatever kind you may wish for — nothing is too fabulous nor too trivial for him to provide.

Traditions of the Americans

• A great number of different nations live on our planet. Each nationality has its own traditions and customs that are likely to have come from the early times and still play the great role in people’s life.
• Speaking about the traditions of the USA, it is important to consider the characteristic peculiarities of the American nature. Who is a typical American?

• The Americans are very religious people. Church plays a great role in the life of every citizen. The government of the country endorses the freedom of choice of the religion, and, as a result numerous religious sects have appeared here. The largest one is known as Mormon’s sect. The representatives of this sect travel all over the world to spread Mormonism among other people.

• The Americans prefer to live in the suburb in private houses. Practically each family keeps weapons for the security. Rights of men and women are equal. The Americans have the cult of home and do their best to be good family men.

The Americans are proud of their educational system. Schools and universities in the USA give the education of a very high quality. That’s why many talented people from the other countries come here to enter Harvard, Stanford, Princeton or other institutions. The government of the USA is interested in attraction of clever individuals, and usually those who study in America never turn back home and remain to work in various companies.

• The United States is country of great opportunities. It is a great country, with special lifestyle, unique people and its own traditions. I admire its culture and the spirit. I have never been to the USA, but I’m looking forward to going there and seeing everything with my own eyes.

Thanks for your attention !!!