United States of America

United States Flag• Colors: Red, White, and Blue• Stripes of flag alternating the colors red and

white. • 13 stripes represents the original 13 colonies.• Top left of flag is blue background with 50

white stars.• 50 stars represents the # of U.S. states.• The flag of the United States earned the

nickname “Star-Spangled Banner” after the battle of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812.

United States History• 13 colonies separated from Britain (the British)• Famous document: Declaration of

Independence *This document announced to the world that the 13 English colonies wanted to establish their own gov’t.

• 1st elected president of the United States was George Washington.

• Famous document: Constitution *This document is considered to be the ultimate “law of the land” in the U.S.

Wars involving the United States• American Revolutionary War • War of 1812• Civil War- United States vs United States *Battle

was fought between the North and the South (Union vs Confederate)

• World War 1 • World War 2 • Vietnam War• Desert Storm

Extra Credit for your Test• If you wear something that says Ohio State on

Wednesday for your test, you will get +5 extra credit points.

• If you wear something red and gray, you will receive +4 points.

• If you wear something red or gray, you will receive +3 points.

United States Geography• 50 States and 1 district (OHIO is the best and the

“M” state is the worst”)• Delaware was the 1st state• Kentucky was the 15th state• Hawaii was the 50th state• Mountains=Rocky, Appalachian, Great Smoky,

Cascade, Mt. McKinley• Rivers= Mississippi, Ohio, Colorado, Rio Grande,

Arkansas• 5 great lakes= HOMES (Formed by glaciers)• 3rd largest country in the world (pop. and size)

United States People• Population: Almost 319 million• Main language: English (82%) *2nd Spanish (11%)• Ethnic groups: White (80%), Hispanic (15%),

African-American (13%). *Hispanic is the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States.

• Life expectancy: 79.56 (#42 in the world) *Females live on average 5 years longer than males 77 to 82.

• Safe drinking water: 99.2%• Literacy Rate: 99%

United States Economy• The US has the largest and most technologically

powerful economy in the world.• GDP: 16.72 trillion (#1 in world)• Almost 80% of our economy comes from services.

(Service industry is a business that provides services to people instead of producing goods.)

• Population below poverty line: 15.1%• We rank #2 in the world in exports behind China. Main

exporting partners: Canada, Mexico, China.• We rank #1 in the world in imports! Main importing

partners: China, Canada, Mexico

United States Government• Gov’t- Federal Republic/Representative Democracy• National Capital: Washington D.C.• Independence: July 4th 1776• President- Barack Obama *He is serving his second

term of four years.• U.S. Supreme Court has 9 justices and are appointed

for life.• Voting age: 18 years old *You have the option if you

want to vote or not!

United States Military• United States Armed Forces: US Army, US Navy

(includes Marine Corps), US Air Force, US Coast Guard

• 18 years of age (17 years of age with parental consent) for male and female voluntary service; service obligation 8 years, including 2-5 years active duty (Army), 2 years active (Navy), 4 years active (Air Force, Marines)

• The U.S. spends about 4.5% of its GDP on it’s military. Ranks #9 in world! S. Sudan is the highest at 10.3%.