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The United States of America ("USA," "US," "United States," "America," or simply "the States") is a large country in central and north-western North America. The U.S. also includes several Pacific islands (primarily represented by the state of Hawaii) and an unincorporated Caribbean territory (the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico). One of the largest, richest, and most powerful countries in the world, it has a mixture of densely-populated urban areas with wide areas of low population and incredible natural beauty. With a history of immigration dating to the 17th century, the U.S. prides itself on its "melting pot" of different cultures from around the globe. Even the briefest visit to the United States is a study in contrasts.
The U.S. stretches across the midsection of North America, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, with non-contiguous states to the northwest and in the Pacific. As such, its many regions are varied. Following is a rough grouping of the country into regions relevant to the traveler, from the Atlantic to the Pacific:
New England -- Home to gabled churches, rustic antiques, and steeped in American history, New England offers beaches, spectacular seafood, rugged mountains, frequent winter snows, and some of the young nation's oldest cities, in a territory small enough to reasonably cover (quickly) within a week.
The Mid-Atlantic -- Ranging from New York in the north to Washington DC, the Mid-Atlantic is densely populated and home to a number of the nation's largest cities, but also rolling mountains and traditional seaside resorts like Long Island and the Jersey Shore.
The South -- The slow-going, friendly South is celebrated for its down-home cookin' and its blues, jazz, rock 'n' roll, and country music traditions. This lush, largely subtropical region includes verdant (and refreshingly cool) mountains, stately agricultural plantations, and vast cypress swamps.
Florida -- Northern Florida is similar to the rest of the South, but head further south into the megaresorts of Orlando, retirement communities, and tropical Miami. Don't forget to visit the Everglades swamp, although you certainly wouldn't want to live there.
Texas -- The second biggest state in the nation, it's like a whole other country (and in fact, once was). Terrain ranges from Southern swamplands to the cattle-ranching South Plains to the miles of sandy beaches of South Texas to the mountains and deserts of west Texas.
The Midwest -- The Midwest is home to rolling farmland, large forests, picturesque towns, and many bustling industrial cities. Many of these states border the Great Lakes, the largest system of freshwater lakes in the world, forming the North Coast of the U.S.
The Great Plains -- Travel westward through these supposedly "flat" states, from the edge of the eastern forests through the prairies and onto the High Plains, an enormous expanse of steppes (shortgrass prairies) as desolate as it was in the frontier heyday. There is a great deal of remaining European communities that celebrate various parts of their heritage, making for a unique experience while traveling across this area.
The Rocky Mountains -- The spectacular snow-covered Rockies offer outdoor pursuits such as hiking, rafting, and skiing on some of the greatest snow on Earth. There are also deserts and some large cities.
The Southwest -- Heavily influenced by Hispanic culture, the arid Southwest is home to some of the nation's most spectacular natural attractions, and a flourishing artistic culture. Although mostly empty, the region's deserts have some of the nation's largest cities.
California -- In some ways quintessentially American, and in others completely atypical, California offers world-class cities, mountains, deserts, rain forests, snow (and great skiing), and a famous beach lifestyle. Northern California, centered around the Bay Area, and Southern California, centered around Los Angeles are culturally very different.
The Pacific Northwest -- The pleasantly cool Pacific Northwest offers outdoor pursuits as well as cosmopolitan cities. The terrain ranges from spectacular rain forests to scenic mountains and volcanoes to sage-covered steppes and interior deserts.
Alaska -- One fifth as large as the rest of the United States, Alaska reaches well into the Arctic, and features expansive mountainous wilderness.
Hawaii -- A volcanic archipelago in the tropical Pacific, 2,300 miles from California (the nearest state), laid-back Hawaii has long been a vacation paradise.
Politically, the U.S. is divided further into semi-independent states (hence the name).
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