THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

GEOHGHRAPHY

It is located in the middle of North America. It is bordered by Canada in the north and Mexico in the south.  It has two cost lines. First in the east, where is Atlantic Ocean and second in the west, where is Pacific Ocean. United States include 50 states.

RIVERS

                Main rivers in USA are Mississippi (Missouri), Saint Lawrence River, Rio Grande whose have outlet to Atlantic Ocean; Columbia, Colorado, whose have outlet to Pacific Ocean.

MOUNTAINS

                The Rocky Mountains are located in the west coast. It is mountain range from western Canada to USA state – New Mexico.

 In the coast run The Coast Range, The Sierra Nevada and The Cascade Range.

In the eastern are The Appalachian Mountains.

In USA are Great Lakes – four lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario) near the northeast border with Canada.

NACIONAL PARK

                USA has lot of national parks. I would like to introduce some of them. Places where I have been a couple years ago.

YOSEMITY NP

·         This park is situated to California State. It includes The Sierra Nevada Mountains and couple of very breathtaking waterfalls. The most beautiful view you can see from Glacier point.

There are also absolutely amazing waterfalls like Nevada fall, Vernal Fall.

 DEATH VALLEY NP

·         This park is located to the hottest, lowest and driest area.

GRAND CANYON NP

·         Very old, enormous and colourful canyon shaped by erosion and Colorado River.

ARCHIES NP

·         Nation park with unbelievable shapes of rocks. The best are Delicate Arch – natural piece of rock that looks like a window.

POLITICAL SYSTEM

The United States is a Constitution-based federal republic with a strong democratic tradition.  Lot of states have government system created top-down (from the most powerful and important institutions to lowers).

 BUT USA has historically different system – there were 13 individual colonies under British power – after 1776 War of independent - COLONIES won the independence. Each state has their own system. According to Constitution form 1789 was established a federation - creates basic of the federal government.  Since this time the Constitution didn´t change much – IT IS VERY DIFICULT TO CHANGE (approve of all states). Creators also wanted to have it TOTALLY DIFERENT form British one (they hate England).

1789 - BILLS of Rights – it is base for OSN Charta; lot of other countries was inspirited by this document about human rights.

Each state has an executive, a legislative and a judicial branch. Negative is that everything is very slow and complicated.

Executive Branch – the President of the United States

o   THE PRESIDENT

§  By time He has more and more power.

§  RIGHTS:

·         make treaties, sign or veto legislation, amnesty criminals, recommend measures to Congress, and appoint Supreme Court judges

§  CANNOST DO

·         call special elections, dissolve Congress, overrule the Constitution

Legislative Branch – Congress (the Senate + House of Representatives)

·         HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE

o   435 members, based on population of states

o   Elections every two years

o   Lower chamber

o   Work in comities (same specialization throw the parties)

o   perform legislative and investigation functions

·         THE SENATE

o   100 members

o    each state has 2 Senators (no matter the size)

o   Upper chamber

o   6-year term – Elections every 3 year (changes 33% of the Senate)

o   confirm most Presidential appointments

Judicial Branch - The Supreme Court (the highest one)

Political elections are created by major system (In CR – The president and Senate). This system is very politically stabile – it usually let only two biggest parties to compete (The Democratic Party   - OBAMA and The Republican Party - ROMNEY.  It not allowed any small or extreme parties. This system could be very unmotivated for people because it did not reflect their wishes.

 

MAJOR CITIES

SAN FANCISCO

This charming city is situated in the west coast in California State.  Usually, it is known for magnificent bridge – GOLDEN GATE bridge and famous prison Alcatraz.  There is a very popular Chinatown and cable cars system (tram). It has about 825 000 people. It was founded on June 29, 1776 by Spanish colonialists, whose build there a fort (pevnost). Thanks to The California Gold Rush (half of 19. Century) - this city developed very quickly. Some  parts of the city was destroyed by earthquake and big fire – but also very quickly rebuilt During Second world war It was major harbour for ships in Pacific Ocean.  There is very usual foggy and rainy weather (as you can see on those pictures above) and cool summers.