USA Snapshots, including introduction, tourist attractions, and photographs.

The United States is located in the North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico. With total land area about 9,158,960 square kilometers (50 states and District of Columbia), the U.S. is the world's third-largest country (after Russia and Canada). The area of the U.S. is about one-half the size of Russia; about three-tenths the size of Africa; about one-half the size of South America or slightly larger than Brazil; slightly larger than China; about two and one-half times the size of Western Europe.

Based on April 2002 estimate from U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. has about 286,799,063 population while world population is about World 6,217,020,441. The U.S. citizens and residents include about 80% white, and 20% of African-American, Hispanic, Asians, and Amerindian. English is the official language but a sizable minority is Spanish-speaking Americans.

The United States became the world's first modern democracy after its break with Great Britain (1776) and the adoption of a constitution (1789). During the 19th century, many new states were added to the original 13 as the nation expanded across the North American continent and acquired a number of overseas possessions. The two major traumatic experiences in the nation's history were the Civil War (1861-65) and the Great Depression of the 1930s. Buoyed by victories in World Wars I and II and the end of the Cold War in 1991, the US remains the world's most powerful nation-state. The economy, the world's most advanced and largest, is marked by steady growth, low unemployment and inflation, and rapid advances in technology.

Based on 1999 estimate, the U.S. has more than 7,000 Internet service providers.

With spectacular natural scenery and national parks, world-class museums and historic architectures, fascinating tourist attractions everywhere, the United States is now one of the most exciting travel destinations in the world.

Across the USA from metropolises of Atlantic coast through the Great Plain and Rockies to the golden shores of Pacific Ocean, you will see breathtaking Niagara Falls, great lakes, natural wonder Yellowstone, one and only Grand Canyon, well-known U.S. National Parks, great mountains and famous rivers. You will trek through this vast land like the American pioneers and explore the rich history and native culture of this fascinating country.

Situated on the mid-Pacific Ocean, the Hawaii Islands is the U.S. westernmost state separated from the mainland by about 3,200 kilometers of ocean. Hawaii is now the most famous paradise in the world. With spectacular scenery, beautiful beaches, magnificent forests and green mountains, and ideal tropical climate, Hawaii, enjoyed by Hawaii's kings in ancient times and by millions of worldwide visitors today.