If a roomful of people were asked to conjure up a picture in their heads of the USA, everyone would be able to oblige. However it's more than likely that every picture would be different, so varied is the landscape of the USA. The plunging depths of the Grand Canyon, a majestic Californian redwood tree, a yellow taxi nosing down a crowded New York street, an alligator's nostrils breaking the surface of the water in Florida's wetlands, a snowy piste dotted with skiers... just a few of the options. It's largely thanks to the dramatic geography of the USA that so many holidaymakers choose to come here time and again.
Starting in the west along the spectacular, Pacific coast, you can drive for 4500 kilometres across the Rocky Mountains, the vast desert landscapes of Utah and Arizona, the sparsely populated Prairies and finally to the cities of the East coast. North to South, the USA measures a mere 2500 kilometres, but your drive will be no less appealing. In the far south you can hop out to sea along the line of tiny islands which form the Florida Keys. The USA also encompasses two outposts: the semi-frozen landscape of Alaska, and the volcanically beautiful Hawaiian islands floating in the Pacific Ocean.
The USA's climate is as varied as its landscape. The west coast is warmer and drier than the east coast, and the mountains running just inland catch all the rain, turning the areas to the east of the mountains into desert. In the centre of the country, the climate is continental, with very cold winters and very hot summers, and these areas see over a thousand tornadoes a year - more than any other country. The south and southeast coasts are at risk from hurricanes blowing in from the Atlantic, but the country is well prepared for them.
American Holiday Destinations
Destination name
United States of America
Capital City
Washington DC
Population
290,000,000
Time difference
-8 hours (Pacific Standard)
-7 hours (Mountain Standard)
-6 hours (Central Standard)
-5 hours (Eastern Standard)
Languages
English (official)
Religion
Protestant 56%, Roman Catholic 28%
Currency
US Dollar
USA's dialling code
1
