The USA in general

Hello!

In a few weeks I`m in USA, I can`t belive it!!! But, before I went to the U.S I want to tell you a little bit about the country, so in this post I will tell you something about the USA in general.

 

 

 

 

USA got their own flag the 14^th June 1777 and it became clear that the flag should be the national flag and the state flag. The flag has a lot of nicknames, but it`s usually called “Stars and Stripes”. Other names are “Old Glory” and “The Star-Spangled Banner”. The flag is red, white and blue and consists of fifty stars; one star to every state. In addition it has 13 stripes that symbolize the thirteen first states that formed the Republic.

 

In the United States it`s the president who heads the government. The first president of the USA was George Washington. He was a president from 1789 to 1797. The government consists of the presidents’ office, - The White House, a vice president and 15 ministries. The president of the government is Barack Obama. The first time he was given a title as a president was in 2009. A president in the United States is president in 4 years. So in 2013 (the 20^th January), when it was a new chose he was been reelected.

 

 

The capital of the USA is Washington D.C (District of Columbia). Originally Washington D.C was divided into five different cities or countries: Georgetown, City of Washington, City of Alexandria, County of Washington and County of Alexandria. The population in Washington is circa 646 449 (2013). I will not went to the capital, but a lot of people, as many as 20 million tourists visit the city every year, so tourism is really important for the state.

 

 

The currency in the United States today is the American dollar ($). Values that are in use today are: 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 dollar. They also use coins, and the coins that are in use today is: 1¢ (penny), 5¢ (nickel), 10¢ (dime) and 25¢ (quarter). At the moment 1 USD is the same as 6,56 NOK.

Independence Day is celebrated on the 4th of July, and it´s the national day of The United States of America. I will come to the U.S. the 8^th July, so I will not experience the day, unfortunately. The reason that the national day is the 4^th July is because in 1776 was the United States declared independent from Great Britain. The evening before the 4^th July, many people decorate their houses with flags, balloons and garlands. At the day they sends up fireworks, they go parades, barbeques, they can go on concerts and carnivals, go on a baseball game and listen to the political speeches.

 

 

 

It`s a lot of buildings in the U.S, and they are really popular to visit for the tourists. Many of the buildings are in Washington D.C, but one of the most famous is The White House, were the president lives.

 

Also in New York it is a lot of popular buildings, but the most popular is the Empire State. The skyscraper was once one of the world`s tallest skyscraper with 102 floors and a high on 443 meter (including the antenna). I will visit the building when I`m in New York (if I have time, I think shopping is more important!!)

 

 

I also want to write a little bit about the Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge is in San Francisco, so I think I will see the bridge when I visit San Francisco at the night, because the lights at the bridge is sooo beautiful when it`s dark, just look at the picture!! It is one of the longest bridges in the world (2,7 km).

 

 

The United States have, as I said a lot of buildings, and this was just a few of them.

I hope you find this post a little bit interesting. Next time I will tell you about two cities in the United States, and hope you want to read me next time too.

Lots of love from Guro