Delaware

Location of Delaware

• Delaware is next to the ocean

• It is about 3 hours drive from New York

• 2 hours from Washington, D.C.

• 40 minutes from Philadelphia

The State of Delaware

• Delaware is a small state (only Rhode Island is smaller)

• Delaware is about 100 miles (161km) long and 30 miles (48km) wide

• The state capital is Dover

• The biggest city is Wilmington

Geography

The north half of Delaware has cities, businesses, people

The south half has farming, countryside, and beaches

Facts

• About 850,000 people live in Delaware

• Delaware is very flat (the highest point is about 150 m above sea level)

• Delaware has lots of chickens (more chickens than people!)

• Taxes are very low in Delaware (there is no sales tax)

Cities (1)

• Dover is the state capital. This is the Capitol building. It is the smallest one in the US

Dover

• Dover is the state capital

• It has restaurants and lots of shopping

• It has a big NASCAR race track

• It has a very big army base

• It is in the middle of Delaware

Cities (2)

• Wilmington is the largest city

Nature

Weather

• Delaware has a mild and humid climate

• Just a little snow

• The average temperature in March is 2-12 degrees Celcius

• It will be cold and damp: take warm clothes!

Transport• No subway

• Few buses

• No local trains

• Few people ride bicycles

• Almost everyone drives

• You can drive when you are 16!

• You will not be able to get around by yourself

Money

• US money is made up of bills and coins

• Bills are 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100

• Bills are all the same size and colour! Be very careful not to mix them up…

Money 2

• There are 6 types of coins in the US• Pennies are a different colour• Half dollars and silver dollars are rare

Money 3

Shopping

• Clothes are cheaper than Japan

• Brand name goods are not cheaper

• CDs are cheaper

• DVDs are a different region from Japan

• Food is much cheaper than Japan (go and see a grocery store)

Popular Things

• NASCAR racing (out of season in March)

• Live music• Shopping• Beaches• Go to Philadelphia

and Baltimore (aquarium)

Food

Advice

• Never walk alone (especially at night)

• Dress warm (but hot inside)

• Be careful crossing the street (opposite from Japan)

• Don’t drive with someone if they have been drinking

• Share food with a friend (portions are too big in the US)

Advice 2

• Don’t carry much cash (ask your host family how much to take)

• Take phone numbers for host family and teachers with you everywhere (and change for public phones)

• Smile and have fun –take lots of photos to show your friends and family

Passport

• Don’t forget your passport! ^-^