United States: living history, global power, and a world-defining destination

United States of America (USA), a federal constitutional republic composed of 50 states, a federal district, and several territories in the Caribbean and the Pacific, has established itself as the most influential nation on the planet. With over 340 million inhabitants and an area of 9.83 million km², the United States today represents a global benchmark in economy, culture, politics, science, and tourism.

From the Colonization to the Independence of the United States

The history of the United States begins with the arrival of Europeans in the New World. In 1513, the Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León landed in Florida, being the first documented European presence in the current U.S. territory. In the 17th century, French, Dutch, and English founded settlements, with the latter being the most successful. In 1607, the Jamestown colony was founded, and in 1620, the pilgrims established Plymouth. In 1674, the Netherlands ceded the territory of New Amsterdam to England, which was renamed New York. By the end of the 17th century, forced labor gave way to the massive use of African slaves. By 1732, the Thirteen British Colonies had already been established, which, with elected governments and the slave trade, were expanding rapidly. Tensions with the United Kingdom led to the Revolutionary War (1775–1781). The Continental Congress created the Continental Army in 1775, and on July 4, 1776, it proclaimed the Declaration of Independence. With the support of France and Spain, the colonies defeated the British Empire. In 1787 the Constitution was drafted, and in 1789 George Washington assumed the presidency. In 1791 the Bill of Rights was approved.

---

Territorial Expansion and Internal Conflict in the United States

With the Louisiana Purchase from France in 1803, the U.S. doubled its size. In 1819, Spain ceded Florida, and in 1845 Texas was annexed. The victory over Mexico in 1848 granted the U.S. a large part of the Southwest. The expansion was driven by "Manifest Destiny", the Gold Rush (1848), and railway development, but it also brought with it the dispossession of indigenous peoples.

---

Civil War and Reconstruction of the United States of America

The expansion of slavery into new territories unleashed tensions between the North and the South. In 1861, the secession of the slave states initiated the Civil War. The Union's triumph in 1865 abolished slavery and guaranteed rights to African Americans, although the Reconstruction era was followed by the imposition of segregationist laws in the South.

---

Industrial Boom and International Prominence of the USA

The 19th century brought industrialization, migratory waves, and urban development. In 1898, the U.S. defeated Spain and annexed Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam. In World War I, it supported the Allies, and in World War II it was decisive after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. In 1945 it dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, marking the end of the conflict.

Estado	Capital	Estado	Capital
Alabama	Montgomery	Montana	Helena
Alaska	Juneau	Nebraska	Lincoln
Arizona	Phoenix	Nevada	Carson City
Arkansas	Little Rock	New Hampshire	Concord
California	Sacramento	New Jersey	Trenton
Colorado	Denver	Nuevo México	Santa Fe
Connecticut	Hartford	Nueva York	Albany
Delaware	Dover	Carolina del Norte	Raleigh
Florida	Tallahassee	Dakota del Norte	Bismarck
Georgia	Atlanta	Ohio	Columbus
Hawái	Honolulu	Oklahoma	Oklahoma City
Idaho	Boise	Oregón	Salem
Illinois	Springfield	Pensilvania	Harrisburg
Indiana	Indianápolis	Rhode Island	Providence
Iowa	Des Moines	Carolina del Sur	Columbia
Kansas	Topeka	Dakota del Sur	Pierre
Kentucky	Frankfort	Tennessee	Nashville
Luisiana	Baton Rouge	Texas	Austin
Maine	Augusta	Utah	Salt Lake City
Maryland	Annapolis	Vermont	Montpelier
Massachusetts	Boston	Virginia	Richmond
Míchigan	Lansing	Washington	Olympia
Minnesota	Saint Paul	Virginia Occidental	Charleston
Misisipi	Jackson	Wisconsin	Madison
Misuri	Jefferson City	Wyoming	Cheyenne

---

Culture, Tourism, and Diversity

The U.S. is today a vibrant mix of cultures and traditions. Cities like New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Chicago are tourist icons, while its national parks —like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon— attract millions of visitors. The country combines modernity and history, art and nature, technology and spirituality. Its music, cinema, literature, gastronomy, and innovation make it the largest cultural exporter in the world.

---

National holidays: symbols of identity

The American calendar reflects its diversity and historical memory. Among the main holidays are:

• January 1 – New Year’s Day
• Third Monday of January – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Third Monday of February – Presidents Day
• Second Sunday of May – Mother’s Day
• Last Monday of May – Memorial Day
• June 19 – Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery in Texas.
• Third Sunday of June – Father’s Day
• July 4 – Independence Day
• First Monday of September – Labor Day
• Second Monday of October – Columbus Day
• October 31 – Halloween
• November 11 – Veterans Day
• Fourth Thursday of November – Thanksgiving
• December 25 – Christmas

---

Sports: A National Passion

Baseball has historically been the national sport, but today American football holds the top spot in popularity. It is followed by basketball, ice hockey, and motorsports. Leagues like the NFL, NBA, and MLB attract millions of fans. NASCAR and IndyCar dominate racing, while events like the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Daytona have global prestige. Tennis also stands out with the U.S. Open, one of the four Grand Slams. In addition, sports such as surfing, lacrosse, and snowboarding have local roots or developments. The United States has been an Olympic host on several occasions (Los Angeles, Atlanta, Salt Lake City) and is the country with the most Olympic medals in history: more than 2,700 in Summer Games and 330 in Winter Games.

Technical Sheet of the United States of America

Most popular sports:
American football, baseball, basketball, hockey, motorsport

Official Name:
United States of America (United States of America)

Abbreviations:
EUA (in Spanish), USA (in English)

Nationality:
American

Capital:
Washington D. C.

Most populous city:
New York

Form of government:
Federal constitutional republic, with a presidential system

Current President (2025):
Donald J. Trump

Main Language:
English (no official language at the federal level)

Currency:
United States Dollar (USD)

Total area:
Approx. 9,833,517 km²

Estimated population (2024):
More than 340 million inhabitants Population density:
Approx. 36 inhabitants/km² Political division:
50 states + 1 federal district + 5 main territories Borders:
It borders Canada to the north and Mexico to the south; to the east with the Atlantic Ocean and to the west with the Pacific Ocean

Major religion:
Christianity (Protestants and Catholics)

Independence:
July 4, 1776 (Declaration of Independence)

Constitution:
Ratified in 1788; in force since 1789

Gross Domestic Product (Nominal GDP):
Approximately 22.6 trillion USD (the highest in the world)

GDP per capita:
Approx. 70,000 USD

Economy:
Capitalist, diversified, technologically advanced

International organizations:
UN, NATO, G7, G20, OAS, OECD, among others

Climate:
Very varied (tropical, arid, temperate, continental, polar) Main cities:
New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, San José

Highlighted national holidays:

July 4th (Independence Day) Thanksgiving Day Day of the Fallen (Memorial Day) Martin Luther King Jr. Day Christmas and New Year