The United States is a nation of immigrants.

European ancestry accounts for 70% of population -English/Irish/Scot,

German, Italian, French, Polish

Hispanic Americans (mostly from Central and South America) are the largest minority group in the United States, accounting for 13% of the population.

African Americans are the 2nd largest minority group and make up roughly 12% of the population.

Asian Americans make up a small portion of the population, accounting for only 4%.

Native Americans make up the smallest minority group, accounting for only 1% of the population.

English has been the dominant language in the United States since it’s founding.

Spanish is the second most common language.

Typically, immigrants will speak their native language until they have learned English.

Today, more than 1,000 types religions are practiced in the United States.

By far, the majority of Americans are Christian – 85% - 56% Protestant - 28% Catholic

Jewish and Muslim religions are practiced by 2% percent of the population each.

First artists Native Americans: pottery, weaving, carvings

American styles bloom in 1800s - literature, landscape

painting, architecture (skyscrapers)

Hollywood is filmmaking center of U.S., supplies movies to the world

American music developed from various ethnic groups: -jazz, blues, gospel,

and rock ‘n’ roll have African-American origins

- country and bluegrass come from Southern whites of British ancestry

Today, there is just over 300,000,000 people living in the United States.

80% of Americans live in the suburbs.

Effective transportation (roads, railroads, airlines) aids mobility

Almost 50% of working-age Americans are employed - almost half are

women; - 70% have service

industry jobs More than 10% of

Americans live in poverty

Kids age 6 to16 are required to attend school, - 90% attend public

schools, which are free through secondary school

U.S. has over 2,300 4-year public and private colleges and universities

Leisure activities: hobbies, museums, libraries, TV, films, computers

sports: baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, tennis, skiing