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. Buoyed by victories in World Wars I and II and the end of the Cold War in 1991, the US remains the world's most powerful nation state. The economy is marked by steady growth, low unemployment and inflation, and rapid advances in technology.

New York City, panoramic view		The White House, residence and office of the U.S. President

• 3-Letter abbreviation: USA
• 2-Letter abbreviation: US
• Country common name: United States
• Country official name: United States of America
• Continent: North & Central America/Caribbean
• Capital: Washington, D.C.
• Other major cities: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Dallas, Phoenix, Detroit, San Antonio, Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Atlanta, Miami
• Currency: American dollar
• Official languages: English
• Motto: "E Pluribus Unum" ("Out Of Many, One") (traditional); "In God We Trust" (1956 to date)

• Surface area: 9,629,091 km²
• Highest point: Mount McKinley 6,194 m.
• Neighbouring countries: Canada, Mexico
• Neighbouring seas and oceans: Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific Ocean

• Population (in millions): 300
• Gross domestic product (GDP) per inhabitant (in US dollars): 37,600
• Density (inhabitants per km²): 30.15
• Average age (in years): 35.8
• Life expectancy at birth (in years): 77.14

• Country international telephone code: + 1
• Internet code: .us
• Number of Internet users: 215.75 million (2004)