The United States of America, commonly referred to as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territories, nine minor outlying islands, and 326 Indian reservations. With a population of over 331 million people, it is the third most populous country in the world. The capital city is Washington, D.C., and the most populous city is New York City.
The United States is renowned for its diverse geography, which ranges from the vast plains and prairies of the Midwest to the Rocky Mountains, the deserts of the Southwest, and the coastal regions of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. This diverse landscape contributes to the country’s rich biodiversity, including numerous national parks and wildlife refuges.
Economically, the United States has the largest economy in the world, driven by a highly developed infrastructure, technological advancements, and abundant natural resources. Major industries include information technology, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and agriculture. The U.S. dollar is the world’s primary reserve currency, reflecting the country’s significant influence on global finance.
Culturally, the United States is a melting pot of various ethnicities and traditions, leading to a rich tapestry of cultural experiences. From Hollywood films and Broadway shows to jazz music and fast food, American culture has had a profound impact on the world. The country is also home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities and research institutions, contributing significantly to global advancements in science, technology, and medicine.
The United States has a complex political system with a strong emphasis on democratic principles. It operates under a federal system, with powers divided between the national government and the individual states. The U.S. Constitution, adopted in 1787, is the oldest written national constitution still in use.
Internationally, the United States plays a leading role in global affairs, with significant influence in international organizations such as the United Nations, NATO, and the World Bank. It maintains strong diplomatic and economic ties with numerous countries around the world.
Tourism is a major industry in the United States, with millions of visitors each year flocking to iconic landmarks such as the Grand Canyon, Statue of Liberty, Yellowstone National Park, and Disney World. The country’s diverse cities offer a range of attractions, from the historic sites of Boston and Philadelphia to the entertainment hubs of Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
110 Facts About the United States of America (2024)
Basic Information
Number
Category
Details
1.
Current Name
United States of America
2.
National Name
United States of America
3.
Former Names
Thirteen Colonies
4.
Date of Establishment
July 4, 1776
5.
Date of Independence
July 4, 1776
6.
Leadership
President: Joe Biden, Vice President: Kamala Harris
7.
Government Type
Federal presidential constitutional republic
Geography
Number
Category
Details
8.
Capital City
Washington, D.C.
9.
Important Cities
New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix
10.
Land Area
9.8 million square kilometers
11.
Total Area
9.8 million square kilometers
12.
Neighboring Countries (Land)
Canada, Mexico
13.
Neighboring Countries (Sea)
Bahamas, Russia (via Alaska)
14.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Statue of Liberty (24 sites)
15.
UNESCO World Natural Sites
Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains
16.
Climate
Varied; includes tropical, arid, continental, polar
17.
Biodiversity
Home to diverse flora and fauna, including grizzly bears, bison
18.
Famous River
Mississippi River
19.
Famous Mountain
Mount Denali
20.
Coastline Length
19,924 kilometers
21.
Major Islands
Hawaii, Long Island, Puerto Rico
22.
Longest River
Missouri River
23.
Highest Waterfall
Yosemite Falls
24.
Largest Lake
Lake Superior
25.
Largest Forest
Tongass National Forest
Population
Number
Category
Details
26.
Population (2024)
Approximately 331 million
27.
Population (1950)
152.3 million
28.
Population (1900)
76.2 million
29.
Projected Population (2070)
400 million
30.
Population Density
35.6 people per square kilometer
31.
Urban Population (%)
82.3%
32.
Rural Population (%)
17.7%
Demographics
Number
Category
Details
33.
Ethnicity/Race
White (60.1%), Hispanic (18.5%), Black (13.4%), Asian (5.9%), Other (2.1%)
34.
Languages
English (official), Spanish, Chinese, French, Tagalog
35.
National Language
English
36.
Religion
Christianity (65%), Unaffiliated (26%), Judaism (2%), Islam (1%), Other (6%)
Tax Revenue (% of GDP)** | 16.3% (2022 est.) | | 57. | Minimum Wage | $7.25 per hour (federal) | | 58. | Average Household Income | $68,700 per year | | 59. | Inflation Rate | 7.1% (2022) | | 60. | Interest Rate | 2.5% (2022) | | 61. | Major Trade Partners | China, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Germany |
Social Indicators
Number
Category
Details
62.
Literacy Rate
99%
63.
Fertility Rate
1.8 children per woman
64.
Infant Mortality Rate
5.7 per 1,000 live births
65.
Under-5 Mortality Rate
6.5 per 1,000 live births
66.
National Holidays
Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, Labor Day
67.
Health Care System
Mixed public and private
68.
Health Expenditure (% of GDP)
17.7% (2022 est.)
69.
Obesity Rate
36.2% of adults
70.
Drinking Water Source
99% of the population has access to clean drinking water
71.
Access to Sanitation
99% of the population has access to improved sanitation facilities
72.
Average Life Satisfaction
7.0/10
73.
Major Health Issues
Heart disease, cancer, diabetes
74.
Smoking Rate
14% of adults
Culture and Society
Number
Category
Details
75.
Famous People
George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Steve Jobs
76.
Legal Marriage Age
18 years (without parental consent)
77.
Gender Inequality Index
0.204 (2021)
78.
National Sport
American football
79.
Sport Achievements
Multiple Olympic medals in athletics, swimming, basketball
80.
National Animal
Bald eagle
81.
National Fruit
Apple
82.
Famous Landmarks
Statue of Liberty, Golden Gate Bridge, Mount Rushmore
83.
National Dish
Hamburger
84.
Major Newspapers
The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal
85.
Major TV Channels
ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox
86.
Popular Music Genres
Rock, pop, country, hip-hop
87.
National Theatre
Kennedy Center
88.
National Gallery
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
89.
Popular Festivals
Coachella, Sundance Film Festival, Mardi Gras
90.
Average Internet Speed
145 Mbps
91.
Most Popular TV Show
Friends
92.
Most Popular Book
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
93.
Most Popular Sport
American football
94.
Most Visited Museum
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
95.
Largest Stadium
Michigan Stadium
96.
National Anthem
The Star-Spangled Banner
97.
Famous Historical Sites
Independence Hall, Alcatraz Island, Liberty Bell
98.
Major Brands
Apple, Google, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Nike
99.
Famous Foods
Hot dogs, BBQ ribs, Macaroni and cheese
100.
Famous Drinks
Coca-Cola, Budweiser, Bourbon whiskey
Education
Number
Category
Details
101.
Best Public University
University of California, Berkeley
102.
Best Private University
Harvard University
103.
Education Rank
1st globally
104.
School Enrollment Rate
100% for primary education
105.
Average Class Size
24 students
106.
Notable Alumni
Barack Obama, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg
107.
Public Spending on Education
6.2% of GDP
108.
Number of Universities
Over 4,000
109.
Popular Study Abroad Destinations
United Kingdom, Canada, Australia
110.
Literacy Programs
Extensive adult literacy programs available
111.
Major Research Institutions
MIT, Caltech, Johns Hopkins University
Environment
Number
Category
Details
112.
Pollution Levels
Moderate to high air pollution in urban areas
113.
Renewable Energy Use
19.8% of total energy consumption
114.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
5.4 billion metric tons CO2 (2020)
115.
Protected Areas
14.8% of land area
116.
Major Environmental Issues
Climate change, air pollution, deforestation
117.
Recycling Rate
34.6% of waste recycled
118.
Major Natural Resources
Coal, natural gas, oil, timber
119.
Environmental Performance Index Rank
24th (Environmental Performance Index, 2020)
120.
National Parks
Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon
121.
Wildlife Sanctuaries
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Everglades
122.
Average Rainfall
715 millimeters per year
Legal and Social Issues
Number
Category
Details
123.
Freedom Rank
1st (Freedom House, 2022)
124.
Legal Marriage Age
18 years (without parental consent)
125.
Gender Inequality Index
0.204 (2021)
126.
Human Rights Rank
28th (Freedom House, 2022)
127.
Crime Rate
3.7 per 1,000 people
128.
Major Legal System
Common law
129.
Divorce Rate
2.3 per 1,000 inhabitants
130.
Major Social Issues
Gun violence, healthcare access, income inequality
131.
Age of Consent
18 years
132.
Death Penalty
Legal in 24 states
Infrastructure
Number
Category
Details
133.
Infrastructure
Highly developed
134.
Internet Penetration Rate
90%
135.
Major Airports
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, O’Hare International Airport
136.
Major Ports
Port of Los Angeles, Port of New York and New Jersey, Port of Houston
| 138. | Rail Network | Extensive, includes Amtrak and freight rail | | 139. | Average Commute Time | 26 minutes | | 140. | Public Transport Usage | 5% of population | | 141. | Vehicle Ownership | 276 million registered vehicles | | 142. | Electric Vehicle Adoption | 4% of new car sales |
International Standing
Number
Category
Details
143.
Military Strength
Very strong
144.
Country Rank
1st (2022 Military Strength Ranking)
145.
Happiness Rank
19th (World Happiness Report, 2022)
146.
Passport Rank
7th (Henley Passport Index, 2022)
147.
Tourism Rank
3rd (UNWTO Tourism Ranking, 2019)
148.
Global Economy Rank
1st (World Bank, 2022)
149.
Science and Technology Rank
1st (Global Innovation Index, 2021)
150.
Space Program
Highly advanced (NASA)
151.
Global Peace Index Rank
121st (Global Peace Index, 2023)
152.
Press Freedom Index Rank
44th (Reporters Without Borders, 2021)
153.
Corruption Perceptions Index Rank
27th (Transparency International, 2021)
154.
Global Competitiveness Index Rank
2nd (World Economic Forum, 2022)
155.
Major International Organizations
United Nations, NATO, G7, WTO
156.
Major Foreign Aid Contributor
0.18% of GNI allocated to foreign aid
157.
Diplomatic Missions
294 embassies and consulates worldwide
158.
Trade Agreements
USMCA, TPP, bilateral agreements with numerous countries
Additional Information
Number
Category
Details
159.
Famous Landmarks
Statue of Liberty, Golden Gate Bridge, Mount Rushmore
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, O’Hare International Airport
187.
Internet Penetration Rate
90%
188.
Major Ports
Port of Los Angeles, Port of New York and New Jersey, Port of Houston
189.
Average Commute Time
26 minutes
190.
Public Transport Usage
5% of population
191.
Vehicle Ownership
276 million registered vehicles
192.
Electric Vehicle Adoption
4% of new car sales
193.
Major International Organizations
United Nations, NATO, G7, WTO
194.
Major Foreign Aid Contributor
0.18% of GNI allocated to foreign aid
195.
Diplomatic Missions
294 embassies and consulates worldwide
196.
Trade Agreements
USMCA, TPP, bilateral agreements with numerous countries
197.
Major Newspapers
The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal
198.
Major TV Channels
ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox
199.
Popular Music Genres
Rock, pop, country, hip-hop
200.
Major Brands
Apple, Google, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Nike
This comprehensive list includes 110 unique facts about the United States of America for the year 2024, organized into various categories and with detailed information.