United States
Quick Facts:
The United States has the biggest economy of the world; thus, it is true that their culture and way of living can be felt from many places around the world. The United States has an area of 9.8 million squared kilometers; therefore, there is a lot of variations in landscape, geographic regions, climate, and many other aspects of natural, social, and economic life. With so much area to explore, you can adventure into the mystic west part of the country, enjoy concrete jungles in big cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles; or enjoy what the productive capacity of this amazing country has to offer.
In such a great space, the United States has a lot of different climates around the country. Therefore, you will find 4 seasons towards the North, warmer and tropical weather in the South with some areas being drier than others. The U.S has a population of about 330 million people. Its predominant language is English followed by Spanish, Cantonese, and Mandarin.
Culture:
With so many different states spread along the North American continent, some key features that unite this country’s people are the feelings of patriotism, freedom, and individuality. Historically, the United States is a country built by immigrants from all over the world. It is truly a melting pot of various cultures. Very common American traditions are Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Independence Day on the 4th of July. The U.S. has a lot to offer in the visual arts, music, dance, and other kinds of artistic expressions.
Living Arrangements:
Cost of living varies across the different regions of the United States. However, it is very common to see highly pricey houses and apartments in metropolitan areas such as New York, Boston, and San Francisco. On the other hand, cheaper housing could be found in places where there are smaller agglomerations of people like in Arizona, Texas, and other more rural areas. Having a car in this country is extremely important due to the fact that many people need to commute to work because of the long distances of suburban/living areas and where the jobs are located. In cities, transportation can be relatively more expensive but it is very reliable. Medical costs are usually high, so having health insurance is a must.
Education:
The public education system is widely used since it provides a good quality education. However, private schools can also be an option but at a premium price. The education systems splits students into elementary, middle, and high school. You can also find many options for internationally focused schools with French, German, and other types of curriculum. Universities in the United States are of high demand due to their high-quality education in different areas of study such as business, engineering, sciences, among other careers. However, higher education can be very expensive.