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The '''United States of America''' (commonly referred to as '''the United States''', '''the USA''', '''the US''', '''the States''', or simply as '''America''') is a North American nation that consists of a federal union of fifty individual states, along with territories and a capital district. Founded originally as 13 colonies in the [[British Empire]], they united to become a nation on July 4, 1776 with the [[Declaration of Independence]]. After defeating Britain in the [[American Revolutionary War|War of Independence]], the U.S. expanded westward thanks to rapid growth from high birth rates, low death rates and high immigration from Europe and  Africa (slaves). It wrote a Constitution in 1787 that remains in effect today and is based on [[republicanism|republican]] political principles. The Americans created the world's first political parties, and, since abolishing slavery in a bloody [[American Civil War|civil war]] in the 1860s, has been committed to democracy at home and abroad. Its capitalist economy grew rapidly, becoming the largest in the world by the 1870s. After defeating Communism in the [[Cold War]], the U.S. emerged as the world's only [[superpower]], boasting the largest economy and most powerful military. It exerts enormous cutural and intellectual influence worldwide, and in return is the target of the enemies of democracy and capitalism.

The '''United States of America''' (''conventional short form'': '''United States'''; ''abbreviation'': '''US''' or '''USA'''; sometimes also referred to as '''the States''' or simply as '''America''') is a North American nation that consists of a federal union of fifty individual states, along with territories and a capital district. Founded originally as 13 colonies in the [[British Empire]], Britain's American colonies broke with the mother country on July 4, 1776 with the [[Declaration of Independence]] and were recognized as the new nation of the United States of America following the [[American Revolutionary War|War of Independence]] in 1783. The [[United States Constitution]] was written shortly thereafter, in 1787, grounded on [[republicanism|republican]] political principles the constitution remains in effect today. During the 19th and 20th centuries, 37 new states were added to the original 13 as the nation expanded across the North American continent and acquired a number of overseas possessions.

The United States has borders with [[Canada]] and [[Mexico]]. It is otherwise bounded by the [[Pacific Ocean]], the Bering Sea, the Arctic Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. Two of the fifty states, Alaska, an exclave, and Hawaii, an archipelago, are not contiguous with any of the other states.  Puerto Rico, which is largely self governing, is part of the U.S., as are several smaller territories in the Pacific Ocean, such as Guam. Each of the 50 states has a large degree of sovereignty, but the boundaries are debated and shift slightly every year.  

The capital of the United States of America is [[Washington, DC]].

At over 3.7 million square miles (over 9.6 million km²), the U.S. (including its non-contiguous and overseas states and territories) is the third largest country by total area. It is the world's third most populous nation, with over 350 million people.  

 

At over 3.7 million square miles (over 9.6 million km²), the U.S. (including its non-contiguous and overseas states and territories) is the third largest country by total area. It is the world's third most populous nation, with over 350 million people.<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html CIA World Factbook], ''North America :: United States'', Accessed on March 5, 2010.</ref>

==The Constitution and Politics in the United States==

==The Constitution and Politics in the United States==

[[Image:76485685i79.jpg|left|thumb|300px|The drafting committee presenting the [[Declaration of Independence]] to the [[Continental Congress]], painted by John Trumbull 1817–1819.]]

[[Image:76485685i79.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The drafting committee presenting the [[Declaration of Independence]] to the [[Continental Congress]], painted by John Trumbull 1817–1819.]]

Between 1776 and 1788, the United States was governed according to the [[Articles of Confederation]].  The [[Founding Fathers]] formally established the current structure of the United States by ratification of the [[U.S. Constitution]] in 1788. Since 1789, that constitution has been the basic governing document.  

Between 1776 and 1788, the United States was governed according to the [[Articles of Confederation]].  The [[Founding Fathers]] formally established the current structure of the United States by ratification of the [[U.S. Constitution]] in 1788. Since 1789, that constitution has been the basic governing document.  

==History==

==History==

===Thirteen Colonies===

===Thirteen Colonies===

see [[Thirteen Colonies]] [[Image:Pop1750.jpg|thumb|400px]]

{{main|Thirteen Colonies}} [[Image:Pop1750.jpg|left|thumb|400px]]

 

===American Revolution===

===American Revolution===

see [[American Revolution]]

{{main|American Revolution}}

The American Revolution exploded from fears the British Empire was trying to restrict the historic rights and liberties of Americans.  The British victory in the French and Indian War ended the threat that foreign powers might attack the colonies; Britain's protection was no longer needed. At the same time Britain decided to assert its powers by imposing taxes.  The taxes (as on stamps and sugar) were not large but the principle was: Americans insisted their own legislatures could impose taxes but not Parliament, because Americans were not represented there. "No taxation without representation!" became the American catch-word, but the British refused over and over again to accept it.  London sent in troops when Boston protested vehemently, amd Americans organized shadow governments in every colony.  

The American Revolution exploded from fears the British Empire was trying to restrict the historic rights and liberties of Americans.  The British victory in the French and Indian War ended the threat that foreign powers might attack the colonies; Britain's protection was no longer needed. At the same time Britain decided to assert its powers by imposing taxes.  The taxes (as on stamps and sugar) were not large but the principle was: Americans insisted their own legislatures could impose taxes but not Parliament, because Americans were not represented there. "No taxation without representation!" became the American catch-word, but the British refused over and over again to accept it.  London sent in troops when Boston protested vehemently, amd Americans organized shadow governments in every colony.  

As a result of the [[Spanish-American War]], in which the United States took control of the [[Philippines]] and annexed [[Puerto Rico]] and [[Guam]].  The Phillipines became independent in 1946, after the U.S. reconquered the islands from Japan in World War II. [[Puerto Rico]] has occasionally held referenda that ratified its continuing unique "Commonwealth" status as part of the United States.  The residents of Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens.  Guam continues as a U.S. owned territory with full citizenship for its inhabitants. The people of Puerto Rico and Guam have a vote in presidential primaries and a voice, but not a vote, in Congress.

As a result of the [[Spanish-American War]], in which the United States took control of the [[Philippines]] and annexed [[Puerto Rico]] and [[Guam]].  The Phillipines became independent in 1946, after the U.S. reconquered the islands from Japan in World War II. [[Puerto Rico]] has occasionally held referenda that ratified its continuing unique "Commonwealth" status as part of the United States.  The residents of Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens.  Guam continues as a U.S. owned territory with full citizenship for its inhabitants. The people of Puerto Rico and Guam have a vote in presidential primaries and a voice, but not a vote, in Congress.

[[Image:56eugyjnm.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The [[White House]], the official home and workplace of the [[President of the United States]] of America.]]

[[Image:56eugyjnm.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The [[White House]], the official home and workplace of the [[President of the United States]] of America.]]

== See also: ==

==Flag Description==

 

== Also See ==

*[[Flag of the United States of America]]

*[[Flag of the United States of America]]

*[http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/flags_of_us_states.htm Flags of the U.S. States]

*[http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/flags_of_us_states.htm Flags of the U.S. States]

*[http://www.pibmug.com/files/map_test.swf Interactive map test of the 50 U.S. states]

*[http://www.pibmug.com/files/map_test.swf Interactive map test of the 50 U.S. states]

*[http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h445.html]

*[http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h445.html U.S. History]

 

== References ==

== References ==

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{{reflist|2}}

{{USstates}}

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{{Nb US universities}}

{{Nb US universities}}