Introduction: United States Download PDF
Britain's American colonies broke with the mother country in 1776 and were recognized as the new nation of the United States of America following the Treaty of Paris in 1783. 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 two most traumatic experiences in the nation's history were the Civil War (1861-65) and the Great Depression of the 1930s. The economy is marked by steady growth, low unemployment and inflation, and rapid advances in technology.
Capital City:
Washington, DC (-5 GMT)
Chief of State:
President Barack H. Obama
Head of Govt.:
President Barack H. Obama
Currency:
U.S. dollar
Major Languages:
English, Spanish
Calling Code:
1
Voltage:
110V
Primary Religions:
Protestant, Roman Catholic
Main Airports
Chicago O'Hare International (ORD), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL), Los Angeles International (LAX)
Corporations
ExxonMobil (Oil & Gas Operations)
$425.7 Billion USD
Wal-Mart Stores (Retailing)
$405.61 Billion USD
Chevron (Oil & Gas Operations)
$255.11 Billion USD
ConocoPhillips (Oil & Gas Operations)
$225.42 Billion USD
Key Facts
- GDP (ppp) per CAPITA
- $46,900 (2008 est.)
- Inflation Rate
- 3.8% (2008 est.)
- Population
- 307,212,123 (July 2009 est.)
- Country Risk Ratings
- A2
- Ease of Doing Business
- 3/181
- Global Competitiveness
- 1/134
Statistics
- Labor force:
- 154.3 million (includes unemployed) (2008 est.)
- Exports:
- $1.291 trillion (2008 est.)
- Exports - partners:
- Canada 20.1%, Mexico 11.7%, China 5.5%, Japan 5.1%, Germany 4.2%, UK 4.1% (2008)
- Imports:
- $2.112 trillion (2008 est.)
- Imports - partners:
- China 16.5%, Canada 15.7%, Mexico 10.1%, Japan 6.6%, Germany 4.6% (2008)
- Major Industries:
Rankings
Corruption Perceptions Index
7.3
out of 180
E-readiness Rankings
1
out of 70
Freedom of the Press
16
out of 191
Global Enabling Trade Report
14
out of 118
Global Services Location Index
21
out of 198
Index of Economic Freedom
5
out of 155
Inward FDI Potential Index
1
out of 140
Tax Misery & Reform Index
49
out of 61
The Globalization Index
7
out of 198
