1.Geography and envir. charact. Western Hemisphere. 48 states on the North Am continent; Alaska, a peninsula the northwestern part of North Am, Hawaii, an archipelago in the Pac O. Land borders-with Canada (north), Mexico (south), a water border with Russia(northwest). Also possesses sev insular territories (the commonwealth of Puerto Rico) and in the Pac (Guam). A flat coastal plain lines the Atl and Gulf shores from the Texas-Mexico border to NY City. Areas further inland feature rolling hills, temperate forests. The 5 Great Lakes are in the north-centr. part. The southeast US contain subtrop. forests. The Great Plains lie west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains. The Rocky M-s form a large portion of the Western US and contain fairly mild slopes and low peaks. The Southwest is predominantly a low-lying desert region. The highest point Mount Whitney (4,421 m). Alaska contains tall, prominent mountain ranges rise up sharply from flat tundra plains. Hawaii is a chain of tropical, volcanic islands. The geography of the US varies. 8 distinct physiographic divisions exist. While the Atl coast is relatively low, the Pac coast is hilly or mountainous. Lowest point: Death Valley California -86 m; Highest point: Mount McKinley Alaska 6,194 m. Due to its large size and wide range of geogr features the US contains examples of nearly every global climate. Is temperate in most areas, tropical in Hawaii and southern Florida, polar in Alaska, Mediterranean in coastal California and arid in the Great Basin. The Southwest is a hot desert. The US is affected by a large variety of natural disasters yearly. Although severe drought is rare, it has occasionally caused major problems, such as during the Dust Bowl (1931-42). Also experience the most frequent and powerful tornadoes. The strip of land from north Texas to Kansas and east into Tennessee is known as Tornado Alley, where many houses have tornado shelters and many towns have tornado sirens. Another natural disaster are hurricanes, which can hit anywhere along the Gulf Coast or the Atl coast as well as Hawaii in the Pac O. US plant life is very diverse: > than 17,000 species of flora. > than 400 mammal, 700 bird. The US has 58 nat. parks and hundreds of other federally managed parks, forests.

2.New England. northeast. corner:Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut. In the late 18th c, the NE colonies would be among the 1t Br. colonies to demonstrate ambitions of independence from the Br Crown. In the 19th c, it played a prominent role in the movement to abolish slavery, hosted the 1t pieces of Am literature and philosophy. Connecticut the "Constitution St," was influential in the development of early Am government. The 1t major settl-s were establ. in the 1630s by the Eng. Enjoys a temperate cl thanks to its long coastline. This has given the st. a strong maritime tradition. In the 19th c, C had ready access to raw materials which helped to develop a strong manufacturing industry. In the 19th and 20th c, financial organizations flourished. Maine was part of Massachusetts until 1820. Is the easternmost st in the US. It is known for its scenery-jagged, mostly rocky coastline; low, rolling mountains; heavily forested interior. The 1t European settl-t was in 1604. The 1t Eng settlement in M was establ. by the Plymouth Company in 1607. A number of Eng settlements were establ. along the coast in the 1620s, although the rugged climate, Indian attacks wiped out many of them over the years. Am and Br forces contended for M's territory during the Am Revolution.New Hampshire is named after Eng county of Hampshire. Became the 1t post-colonial sovereign nation in the Americas when it broke off from Great Br in 1776. NH was the 1t state to have its own state constitution. NH experiences a humid continental cl. Vermont the 2d least populous state(2d only to Wyoming). The only NE state with no coastline along the Atl O, V is notable for the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain which makes up 50% of V's western border. Originally inhabited by Native Am tribes, the territory that is now V was claimed by France but became a Br possession after France's defeat in the Fr. and Indian War. For many years, the surrounding colonies disputed control of the area, esp. New Hampshire and New York. Massachusetts The eastern half is mostly urban and suburban. Plymouth was the 2d permanent Eng settlement in North Am. Colonists from Eng. founded many towns and villages in the 1630s. The Boston area became known as the "Cradle of Liberty" for the ferment there which led to the Am Revolution and the independence of the US from Great Br. Was the 1t state to abolish slavery. Originally dependent on agriculture and trade with Europe, M was transformed into a manufacturing center during the Industr Rev. Rhode Island the smallest st. Having a history of staunch independence, RI was the 1t of the 13 original Am colonies to declare independence from Br rule and the last to ratify the US Constitution. The Blackstone River Valley is known as the "Birthplace of the Am Industr. Rev. Was one of the leaders in textiles. But, with the Great Depression, most textile factories relocated to the Am South. Today, much of the economy of st. is based in services, particularly healthcare, education, manufacturing.

3. Demography. The US is an urbanized nation with 80,8% of its population residing in cities and suburbs as of mid-year 2005. The mean population center of the US has consistently shifted westward and southward, with California and Texas currently the most populous states. US population growth is among the highest in the developed countries although like most of them its rate 0,88% annually, is below the world average rate of 1,16% annually. The total fertility rate in the US estimated for 2007 is 2,09% which is roughly the replacement level for industrialized countries. Children (people under age 18) made up 1/4 of the population (24,6%), and people over age 65 1/8 (12,4%) in 2006. The US population is predicted to increase by 1/3 by the year 2050. The total US population crossed the 100-million mark around 1915, the 200-million mark in 1967 and the 300-million mark in 2006 (estimated to be on Tuesday, October 17). The US population more than tripled during the 20^th century , a growth rate of about 1,3% a year , from about 76 million in 1900 to 281 million in 2000. This is unlike most European countries, especially Germany, Russia, Italy and Greece, whose fertility rates are below replacement. The US has dozens of major cities, including 11 of the 55 global cities of all types with 3 “alpha” global cities: New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. The most densely populated state is New Jersey (1,121 million per 433km). Racial demography : The US population’s racial distribution in 2006 was as follows: White along – 73,9% or 221,3 million; Black or African American alone - 12, 2% or 73,1 million; Asian alone - 4,4% or 13,1 million; American Indian or Alaska native alone – 0, 8% or 2,4million; Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander alone – 0,14% or 0,43 million; Some other race alone – 6,3% or 19 million; two or more races – 2% or 6,1 million.

4. Labor in U S. Labor is considered to be the necessaries of life not only in America, but all over the world. The composition of the U.S. work force has changed with the structure of the U.S. economy and with economic and social modernization. Before this aspect became so well-spread and developed many labor movements took place. We could find out several events in the history that influenced on further development of labor: The Great Railroad Strike of 1922, Coal Strikes, and Haymarket Riot. Violence, 1886-1894. Pullman Strike: During the major economic downturn of the early 1890s, the Pullman Palace Car Company cut wages. A delegation of workers complained that the corporation that operated the town of Pullman didn't decrease rents, but Pullman loftily declined to talk with them. Discontented workers joined the American Railway Union (ARU). Railroad workers across the nation refused to switch Pullman cars onto trains. The ARU declared that if switchmen were disciplined for the boycott, the entire ARU would strike in sympathy. The boycott was launched on June 1894. Within four days, 125,000 workers on twenty-nine railroads had quit work rather than handle Pullman cars. The strike was broken up by United States Marshals and some 2,000 United States Army troops, commanded by Nelson Miles, sent in by President Grover Cleveland on the premise that the strike interfered with the delivery of U.S. Mail. During the course of the strike, 13 strikers were killed and 57 were wounded. An estimated 6,000 rail workers did $340,000 worth of property damage. Strikes led many workers to join a growing national labor organization. It had a grand name—the Noble and Holy Order of the Knights of Labor. It was founded in 1869 by a small group of Philadelphia clothing workers.Membership in the Kn. of L was open to wage earners over 18 years of age regardless of race, sex or skill. New members had to take an oath of secrecy. They swore that they would never reveal the name of the order or the names of its members. The program of the Kn. of L. called for:an 8-hour working day,laws establishing a minimum weekly wage,the use of arbitration rather than strikes to settle disputes,laws to protect the health and safety of industrial workers,equal pay for equal work, an end to child labor under 14 years of age and government ownership of railroads, telegraphs and telephones.Today most labor unions in the United States are members of one of two larger umbrella organizations: the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) or the Change to Win Federation, which split from the AFL-CIO in 2005. Both organizations advocate policies and legislation favorable to workers in the United States and Canada, and take an active role in politics favoring the Democratic Party but not exclusively so. The AFL-CIO is especially concerned with global trade issues. Public sector worker unions are governed by labor laws and labor boards in each of the 50 states. Northern states typically model their laws and boards after the NLRA and the NLRB. In other states, public workers have no right to establish a union as a legal entity. will account for 49 percent. Labor force growth was incredibly rapid in the 1970s because of the baby boom generation as well as a more general acceptance of women working outside the home. As the baby boomers age, the labor force will become older. The BLS projects an annual increase of 3.9 percent in the labor force population age 55 and older from 2000 to 2010. This age group is expected to comprise 19 percent of the labor force in 2050. Another result of the aging of the baby boom generation is the increase in the median age of the labor force, which is expected to reach a historical high of 41 years. Primarily because of immigration, Hispanics and Asians have the highest percentage growth in the labor force. By 2025 the percentage of women in the labor force is expected to drop to 58.1 percent. This drop will occur across all age groups. The TU are also important.TU differ greatly in structure, in principles, and in policies. Yet they all have certain characteristics in common. A TU is a continuing organization of employees established for the purpose of protecting or improving, through collective action, the economic and social status of its members. 1- the TU should be controlled by the workers and represent their interests.2- the mission of the TU should be better safeguarding migrant workers' legitimate rights and interests.

5.Social Security. The S.S. program began as a measure to implement "social insurance" during the Great Depression of the 1930s.The original S.S.Act and the current version of the Act, as amended encompass several social welfare or social insurance programs signed into law by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1935. The larger and better known initiatives of the program are: Federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance,Unemployment Insurance, Health Insurance for Aged and Disabled ,State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) etc. The program has been one of the most popular government programs in American history.Most women and minorities were excluded from the benefits of unemployment insurance and old age pensions. Employment definitions reflected typical white male categories and patterns. Job categories that were not covered by the act included workers in agricultural labor, domestic service, government employees, and many teachers, nurses, hospital employees, librarians, and social workers. S.S.in the United States is a social insurance program funded through dedicated payroll taxes called Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA). Officials have responded more to the concerns of women than those of minority groups. S.S.moved toward universal coverage. By 1950, debates moved away from which occupational groups should be included to how to provide more adequate coverage. In 2004 the U.S. Social Security system paid out almost $500 billion in benefits. Spouse's benefit:Any current spouse is eligible, and divorced or former spouses are eligible generally if the marriage lasts for at least 10 years. While it is possible for one worker to generate spousal benefits for up to five of his/her spouses that he/she may have, each must be in succession after a proper divorce for each after a marriage of at least ten years. Widow's benefits:The earliest age for a nondisabled widow(er)'s benefit is age 60. The benefit is equal to the worker's full retirement benefit for spouses who are at, or older than, normal retirement age. Children's benefits:Children of a retired, disabled or deceased worker may receive benefits. There are some benefit programs for disable people:A worker who has worked long enough and recently enough to be covered can receive disability benefits. These benefits start after five full calendar months of disability, regardless of his or her age. As with the retirement benefit, the amount of the disability benefit payable depends on the worker's age and record of covered earnings.

6.The South Atl States 9:Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. The 1^st Europeans to settle here were Eng protestants. In coastal areas settlers grew wealthy by raising and selling crops such as tobacco and cotton. Delaware is located on the Atl Coast in the Mid-Atl region. The st is named after D Bay and River, which were named for Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr . Florida here is Disney world. Is a low-lying peninsula with a coast line 2^nd in length only to Alaska. Is flat. Georgia was the last of the 13 Colonies to be establ as a colony in 1733. It was the 4th st to ratify the US Constitution in 1788. G is also known as the Peach St and the Empire St of the South. Atlanta is the most populous city and the capital. Here is the museum of Margaret Mitchel. Maryland Historically was part of the Chesapeake Bay Colony where planters cultivated tobacco.Is comparable in size to the European country of Belgium. M is now the wealthiest state in the US.It bears 2 nicknames, the Old Line St and the Free St. M is a life sciences hub with over 350 biotechnology firms, making it the 3d-largest such cluster in the nation. North Carolina was one of the original 13 Colonies and the home of the 1st Eng colony in the Am-s. Today is a fast-growing st with an increasingly diverse economy and population. A leader n agriculture and business. The nation’s major producer of tobacco. South Carolina Originally known as C, the Province of SC was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence from the Br Crown during the Am Revolution. The st is named after King Charles II, as Carolus is Latin for Charles. Tourism; many racism problems. Virginia is named after Queen Elizabeth I, who, never having married, was known as the 'Virgin Queen'. The st is also known as "Mother of Presidents", because it is the birthplace of 8 US presidents. Agriculture, colonialism and slavery played significant roles in V's early economy and politics. It was the 1st permanent New World Eng colony and became one of the 13 colonies that would take part in the Am Revolution. West Virginia broke away from V during the Am Civil War and was admitted to the Union in 1863. It is one of only 2 states formed during the Am Civil War (along with Nevada). The capital and largest city is Charleston.The st is noted for its great natural beauty, its historically significant logging and coal mining industries, and its labor history.

7.The us Congress Presidency. Election System

The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. Both senators and representatives are chosen through direct election. Each of the 435 members of the House of Representatives represents a district and serves a two-year term. "House" seats are apportioned among the states by population. The 100 Senators serve staggered six-year terms. Each state has two senators, regardless of population. Every two years, approximately one-third of the Senate is elected. Congress has authority over financial and budgetary matters, the Constitution also gives C. an important role in national defense, including the exclusive power to declare war, to raise and maintain the armed forces, and to make rules for the military. The C. shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States; the C. meets in regular sessions beginning with January 3. The nature of the electoral system in the USA is complex as there are a multitude of elective offices and many elections, not all of which are held at the same time. The president and vice-president, one-third of the Senate, and every member of the House of Representatives are elected at the same time every four years, and two years later the mid-term elections involve all representatives and one-third of the Senate. The President of USA is the head of state and head of government and is the highest political office in US. Presidents are elected indirectly. A number of electors, collectively known as Electoral College, select the president. Each state is allocated a number of electors, equal to the size of its delegation in both houses of C. combined. The 23 Amendment to the Constitution grants electors to the District of Columbia as if it were a state. Voters in each of the states elect a president on Election Day, set by law as the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, once every four years. Each state holds a number of electoral votes that correspond to electors in the Electoral College. Tickets of presidential and vice presidential candidates are shown on the ballot; each vote for the tickets actually corresponds to a vote for a slate of electors chosen by the candidates' political party. In most states, the ticket that wins the most votes in a state wins all of that state's electoral votes, and thus has their slate of electors chosen to vote in the Electoral College. The winning set of electors meets at their state's capital on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December, a few weeks after the election, to vote, and sends a vote count to Congress.

8.The Central Southeast States. The region is blessed with plentiful rainfall and a mild climate. Crops grow easily in its soil and can be grown without frost for at least six months of the year.4 states: Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Alabama became the 22nd state in 1819. Capital City: Montgomery. Largest Cities: Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile. Agriculture: Poultry and eggs, cattle, nursery stock, peanuts, cotton, vegetables, milk, soybeans. Industry: Paper, lumber and wood products, mining, rubber and plastic products, transportation equipment, apparel. Kentucky. Capital: Frankfort. Admitted into the Union in 1792, Kentucky is the 15th state and the first state west of the Appalachian Mountains. It is known as the "Bluegrass State" because of the blue blossoms of the lush grass around Lexington. Kentucky is one of the border states that lie between the North and the South. Rich tobacco fields and champion race horses have long been symbols of Kentucky. Today, Kentucky is associated with coal mines, horse farms ,and racing. Kentucky Derby horse race, America's most prestigious horse race. The name "Mississippi" comes from an Indian word meaning "great waters" or "father of waters". In 1817, Mississippi was admited as the 20th state to the Union. Part of the Deep South, it was once a land of farmers and quiet towns. It is becoming a state of factory workers and busy cities. The state retains many reminders of the Old South. Agriculture: Cotton, poultry, cattle, catfish, soybeans, dairy products, rice. Industry: Apparel, furniture, lumber and wood products, food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment. In 1796, Tennessee was the first territory admitted as a state under the federal Constitution (16th state). The lonely pioneer, wearing a coonskin cap and carrying a flintlock rifle, is a symbol of Tennessee's great past. Pioneers crossed the mountains of Tennessee to settle in the wilderness. They brought  with them the spirit of independence. rugged mountains, thick forests and beautiful lakes and rivers. The capital Nashville is known as a center for country music; Memphis, Tennessee's largest city is a magnet for music fans, as the birthplace of urban blues and long-time home of Elvis.