United States

The United States of America, otherwise known as the United States (U.S.), is at the forefront of global economic, political, and cultural power. With a population of 316 million spread across 3.8 million square miles, the U.S. is arguably the most prominent and well-developed country in the world.

This is the country of Silicon Valley, the Cadillac, and Hollywood. Its cultural icons include celebrities from Marilyn Monroe to Elvis Presley, Oprah Winfrey to Walt Disney, and Louis Armstrong to Martin Scorsese. Writers the likes of William Faulkner, John Steinbeck, and Ernest Hemingway, all Nobel Prize winners, were among pioneering U.S. citizens who created their masterpieces using a distinctive “American” literary voice.

Due to the reach and advanced technology of the U.S. mass media, much of American culture is “exported” out of the country. There are 10,000 commercial radio stations in the U.S., covering everything from general news and sports to more niche categories the likes of Christian rock music. Most of these channels are accessible via the Internet to the rest of the world. Iconic TV series such as The Simpsons, Friends, Seinfeld and The Sopranos also posit U.S. culture as the benchmark for relational structures in advanced societies.

Since its independence from British rule in 1776, the U.S. has undergone a multitude of events that have instigated changes in its political policies and outlook. Among these are the Civil War 1861-65, which resulted in de jure abolition of slavery and the Union of slave and free states; the Cold War, a proxy war with the Soviet Union fought on Korean and Vietnam soil; the 9/11 suicide attacks on the World Trade Center, which led to President Bush’s “war on terror” and subsequent invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq; as well as the suffragette movement in the 1910s (an export of the United Kingdom, but no less important across the Atlantic), and the civil rights movement 50 years later, which led to the Civil Rights Act in 1964.

The U.S. is now considered the home of the Internet, where 73% of the population have access to high-speed connection, and over 80% of American households own computers. Multinational technology companies such as AMD, Intel, Microsoft, Apple, and Adobe Systems are headquartered in this country, having popularized the use of personal computers and smartphones around the world.

The current President is billionaire businessman and reality TV star Donald Trump, who took over the White House in February 2017 after 8 years of Democratic administration.

Arizona

With a population of more than 7 million people spread out over 113,998 square miles, Arizona is a gorgeous state that has a strong economy and plenty to do whether you want to explore the outdoors or hang out inside. There’s a lot to love about the state, and the breathtaking scenery certainly tops the list. You’re not going to be short of options for what to do when you want to experience as much as possible during your visit.  

Considering the state is known as “The Grand Canyon State,” the Grand Canyon is a must to explore. There’s also much more to do including visiting the Rawhide Western Town and Event Center in Chandler, frolicking in the snow in and near Flagstaff, taking a tour through the red rock formations of Sedona, or learning about animals in Tucson at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Arizona’s capital—Phoenix—where you can do everything from going for a hike at Camelback Mountain to visiting the Musical Instrument Museum.

You should also consider taking time to play a round of golf at one of the many courses, buy locally-made goods that you adore, do a little swimming, and enjoy some relaxation at a fabulous spa. Even taking a drive from one side of the state to the other can be a magical experience, and there are multiple incredible restaurants you can stop at along the way. 

The aforementioned is just the beginning of what you can see and do when you visit Arizona. Your adventure is very likely going to inspire you to come back time and time again. 

California

With a population of close to 40 million, California is the most populous state in the U.S. Nearly 18 million people in the Greater Los Angeles Area, one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country, second only to the New York City area. California boasts a mild and pleasant Mediterranean climate, though microclimates can be found in select locations, such as bay areas and inlands.

Economically, this west coast state enjoys the largest GSP (Gross State Product) in the country, coming in at over $2.5 trillion in 2016. Top Californian exports include computer and electronic products, thanks to numerous advanced-technology companies in Silicon Valley. A number of America’s wealthiest neighborhoods are located in California, including Malibu, Beverly Crest, Bel Air Estates, and Holmby Hills, where the average home is valued at over $11 million.

California is famous for its generous natural beauty. Travel up north to Yosemite National Park where you can enjoy mountains, valleys, and waterfalls in a single trip, or visit Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park where huge, 3,000-year-old redwood stretch 300 feet into the sky. Lake Tahoe is perfect for those seeking serene waters for meditation, and Death Valley throws up salt fields and sand dunes that run for miles. The most famous family attraction is, of course, Disneyland, where rides, shows, and games are part of the titular company’s appeal.

Notable citizens in California include Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, Google fathers Larry Page and Sergey Brin, socialites Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian, and countless celebrities – thanks to its Hollywood – from versatile actor Johnny Depp to pop-superstar Katy Perry.

Florida

Otherwise known as the “Sunshine State,” Florida is a peninsula on the southmost of the U.S. eastern coast, bordering Georgia and Alabama. Three-quarters of the 18-million population live within 10 miles of the coastline. Major cities in Florida include Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and its capital Tallahassee. Florida is the fourth-most populous state in the United States.

Historically, the state’s economy was dominated by cattle farming and sugarcane plantations. Today, Florida’s economy is still driven by agriculture, though most of it comes from the production of citrus fruits. Annually, an estimated 70% of all citrus fruits in the U.S. are grown and processed in Florida, which is also the largest grower state of sweet corn and green beans for the country.

Temperatures in Florida average at a low of 10°C and a high of 30°C, due to it subtropical and tropical climate. Rarely does it experience snow, though it does receive plenty of lightning and lightning strikes. The balmy state is blessed with exotic animals, including the North Atlantic right whale, the West Indian manatee, the Florida scrub jay, the American alligator, and the Miami blue butterfly. Recent years have also seen an influx of new species such as snow buntings, harlequin ducks, and razorbills, thanks to global warming.

Peppered across Northern, Southern, and Central Florida are natural wildlife conservation sites, such as Everglades National Park, Oscala National Forest, and Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. An estimated 3,000 types of wildflowers are native to Florida. This natural diversity contributes to the the largest contributing sector of Florida’s economy: tourism.

According to 2016 data, 1.4 million people are employed in Florida’s tourism industry, serving an annual turnaround of hundreds of millions of tourists. Walt Disney World Resort, for example, serves over 50 million visitors every year. Other key tourist attractions are Universal Orlando, an amusement park with movie-themed rides, and Florida Keys, an assorted of islands for snorkeling and other water-based activities. The state is one of the U.S. most popular destination for spring and winter breaks, thanks to its warm climate. Those partial to shopping and good food will find Duval Street, Key West, an excellent terminus for their travels.

Hawaii

The Hawaiian archipelago, better known simply as “Hawaii,” forms the youngest state of the U.S., having only been recognized as a state in 1959. Inhabited by an estimated 1.5 million people, most of whom live in the island of Oahu, it is the only U.S. state that is completely surrounded by water. Myth has it that life arrived on these lonely islands by “wind, waves, and wings,” due to the archipelago’s relative isolation in the Pacific Ocean.

The islands’ geographical separation from other continents also means that many of their flora and fauna species are endangered. The Hawaiian crow, for example, is reportedly extinct in the wild, and can only be found in captive habitats. Endangered species – flora and fauna alike – are protected in a number of national historical parks, including Kalaupapa National Historical Park, Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, and Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park.

Hawaiian cuisine is characteristic of “melting pot” America, a fusion of Native Hawaiian, American, Filipino, Polynesian, Korean, and Portuguese cuisine. Over 6 million visitors arrive in Hawaii every year, thanks to its mild, weather and world-renowned events, such as the Merrie Monarch Festival, the Hawaii International Film Festival, and the Rainbow Film Festival. Those interested in Hawaii’s culture and history might want to visit the ‘Iolani Palace, the Polynesian Cultural Center, and the Pearl Harbor Memorial, while those with an appetite for high cliffs and scenic views might prefer Waipio Valley,  Mauna Kea, and Hana Road.

Nevada

Arguably the most important city in Nevada is party central, Las Vegas. Until very recently, Las Vegas was the fastest growing city in the United States. Accompanying this residential growth was the multiplication of ever-bigger, ever-fancier new resort casinos: the MGM Grand, Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, The Cosmopolitan, and many more. The development has also resulted in more family-friendly amenities, making Vegas a more comprehensive vacation destination for families and friends alike. The huge resorts make an effort to provide as many perks and services to visitors as possible. Guests could be excused for thinking there’s no reason to step outside. But as inviting as plush hotel rooms, world-class bars and restaurants, swimming pools, and massive casinos might be, Vegas offers far more than any one resort can hold.

Recent years have seen a revitalization of downtown Las Vegas, as opposed to the Las Vegas Strip, where most of the casino activity has been concentrated since the 1980s and 1990s. The Fremont Street Experience is a canopied attraction featuring light shows and live music to accompany the retro vibe of the original Vegas casinos, bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Museums on the arts and local history have opened up, and there’s no question that at this point, Las Vegas’s appeal extends far beyond the gambling.

Other downtown attractions include the SlotZilla zipline, built to resemble a gigantic slot machine, Vegas Vic and Vickie, the iconic neon figures welcoming visitors to the “Glitter Gulch,” microbreweries, and other mega-sized, ultra-kitschy spectacles.

North Carolina

North Carolina is a state along the U.S. east coast. Major cities include Charlotte – the largest banking city after NYC – Asheville, Greensboro, Raleigh, and Cape Hatteras. Some of the first settlers in NC were Chowanoke, Waccamaw, Coree, and Roanoke Indians, who later came into conflict with Spanish colonists in the 16th century.

The population of NC is in the region of 10 million, among whom identify as white, black, latin, and multiracial. Its economy is driven primarily by the production of tobacco and sweet potatoes, as well as domestic livestock such as pigs and turkeys. Christmastime brings special economic interest to this Carolina state, as it ranks second in Christmas tree production in the U.S.

Many of Hollywood’s most popular contemporary films owe their stunning locations to the mountain ridges of North Carolina. Sleepy Hollow, Iron Man 3, and The Hunger Games shot many a panoramic scene here, including “Wilmywood” Wilmington (which appeared in the hit teenage series Dawson’s Creek), Chimney Rock (The Last of the Mohicans), and the town of Southport (Safe Haven, A Walk to Remember, I Know What You Did Last Summer).

Those called to the outdoors will enjoy the breathtaking views at Linville Falls and Grandfather Mountain, while those looking for real estate inspiration should pay a visit to the famed Biltmore Estate in Asheville, where the impressive Vanderbilt Mansion is located.