There are 50 states and 1 federal district that make up the United States of America (USA). You are bound to find something that will ensure that you \'have a nice day\'.
11 October 2007
Name: United States of America / U.S. / America
Location: Primarily in North America. Bordered by Canada in the north and Mexico in the South.
Made up of: 50 states, 1 federal district and several affiliated territories.
Population: 295 million (US Census Bureau estimate, 2005)
Capital: Washington D.C.
Area: 9.8m sq km (3.8m sq miles)
Major Language: English
Major Religion: Christianity
Life expectancy: 74 years (men), 80 years (women) (UN)Monetary unit: 1 US dollar = 100 cents
Main exports: Computers and electrical machinery, vehicles, chemical products, food and live animals, military equipment and aircraft
GNI per capita: US $35,400 (World Bank, 2002)
Internet domain: .us
International dialling code: +1
Flight time New York: From London: 7 hours
Time difference: New York, Washington, Florida, Boston, Rhode Island, South Carolina =GMT -5
Time difference: Austin Dallas Texas, Madison Wisconsin = GMT -6
Time difference: Las Vegas Nevada, Paso Texas, Utah, Arizona = GMT -7
Time difference: Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco California = GMT -8
Time difference: Alaska = GMT -9
Main Airports: Boston, New York, Washington State*, Miami, Chicago, Dallas-Forth Worth, Houston, Atlanta, Denver, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Best Time to Go: Autumn or Early Spring to avoid the crush
Tipping: Tipping is big in the USA to supplement minimum wages in restaurants (even self service restaurants), hotels and bars. The size of the tip should be a minimum of 15% and 20% is customery. Bartenders expect $1 per drink. Taxi drivers expect around 15%.
In the USA leaving a tip is so much part of the cultural tapestry that not leaving a tip reflects very badly on you. If you are not satisfied with the service leaving a 25 cent tip would make your point far more effecitvely.
Highlights