1.Geography and envir. charact. The climate is extremely varied and hostile. In heavily populated parts the summer is hot with high humidity. Winter- very cold. On the West coast - much more equable. No extremes in California: summers – never intolerably hot, winters mild. The coastal region suffers from mist and drizzle. Much of A. suffers from hurricanes which afflict the southwest (during the autumn). The Midwest suffers from wind storms - tornadoes. Another problem - behind the Appalachian mountains, in the whole basin of the Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio rivers - the danger of flooding . In the Rocky Mountains the climate - heavy snow in winter and brilliant sunshine and warm days in summer. The climate of the US is frosty and snowy in winter and hot in summer. Oceans: Atlantic and Pacific. Rivers: Mississippi, Ohio. Colorado, Columbia, Rio Grande. Lakes: Michigan. Superior, Huron, Erie, Great Salt lake. Mountains: the Appalachian, the Rocky mountains The Louisiana purchase gave the US a very large distinct geographical region known as Great Plains or western Prairies. Around 1803 this was a region of flat or gently rolling land covered with tall grass. There were practically no trees, bushes or rocks. Early travelers through the region called it "a sea of grass". In general the Great Planes region is drier than the land east of the Mississippi. Rainfall ranges from around 40 inches a year on the eastern rim of the Great Plains to less than 18 inches a year the western position. Summers on the Great Plains can be very hot, about 110 degrees Fahrenheit and dry. Summer rain, when it comes, is usually in the form of fierce thunderstorms. Both droughts and flood; are common to some parts of the vast region. Father south , in what are now the states of Viiginia, N and S Carolina, the soil was generally richer. Except for some swampy coastal areas the soils mostly red - yellow. The long growing season, abundant rainfall, warm climate and relatively flat land made the Southern coastal region ideal for certain Wsh crops.

2. New England "Yankee land" as New England is called includes 6 states: Maine, Massachusetts. Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island. N.E. characterized by story sail which is poorly suited for agriculture, has an abundance of water power which gave impetus to its development as an industrial region. In the 1st half of the I9th century N.E. became the centre of the American's Industrial Revolution. All across Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island new factories appeared. They produced clothing, rifles, clocks. Today a key New state. Massachusetts was also one of the most important of the 13 colonies. It was at Plymouth in 1620 that the Pilgrim Fathers landed. The capital of M. is Boston. New England's largest city. It's population is 600 000. 4/5 of Maine is covered by forest that feed its wood - processing industry. New Hampshire is relatively small but well-wooded state of many mountains, lakes and rapid rivers. Vermont, the only N.E. state lacking an ocean-line, is noted for its green mountains and maple-sugar grohes. Connecticut got its name from the river which had previously been named by the natives end means "long river". The state is a leader in the production of such items as hall-roller-bearings, electronic goods, chemicals, plastics, jet-engines helicopters. N.E's oldest schools of higher learning, such as Harvard University, Yale University. Brown University, Barimouth college (New Hampshire), were origin religious in their purpose and orientation, but gradually became more secular, N.E’s don't flunk of their hills and valleys merely as home but also as centre of civilization.

3. Demography. The US is an urbanized nation with 80,8% of its population residing in cities and suburbs as of mid-year 2005. The mean population center of the US has consistently shifted westward and southward, with California and Texas currently the most populous states. US population growth is among the highest in the developed countries although like most of them its rate 0,88% annually, is below the world average rate of 1,16% annually. The total fertility rate in the US estimated for 2007 is 2,09% which is roughly the replacement level for industrialized countries. Children (people under age 18) made up 1/4 of the population (24,6%), and people over age 65 1/8 (12,4%) in 2006. The US population is predicted to increase by 1/3 by the year 2050. The total US population crossed the 100-million mark around 1915, the 200-million mark in 1967 and the 300-million mark in 2006 (estimated to be on Tuesday, October 17). The US population more than tripled during the 20^th century , a growth rate of about 1,3% a year , from about 76 million in 1900 to 281 million in 2000. This is unlike most European countries, especially Germany, Russia, Italy and Greece, whose fertility rates are below replacement. The US has dozens of major cities, including 11 of the 55 global cities of all types with 3 “alpha” global cities: New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. The most densely populated state is New Jersey (1,121 million per 433km). Racial demography : The US population’s racial distribution in 2006 was as follows: White along – 73,9% or 221,3 million; Black or African American alone - 12, 2% or 73,1 million; Asian alone - 4,4% or 13,1 million; American Indian or Alaska native alone – 0, 8% or 2,4million; Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander alone – 0,14% or 0,43 million; Some other race alone – 6,3% or 19 million; two or more races – 2% or 6,1 million.

4. Labor in U S. Labor is considered to be the necessaries of life not only in America, but all over the world. As the Industrial Revolution was beginning in the US a lot of factories appeared all over the country. Such king of labor was difficult and low paid: the average pay was about 3,5 $ a week and working hours were 11-13 hours a day, six days a week. The workers were not satisfied with the working conditions and in 1836 1,500 factory girls went on strike. But it was useless. As the factory system grew, workers began to form labor unions to protect their interests. The first union was organized by Philadelphia shoemakers in 1792. Soon after, some other unions were organized.

In 1851 New Jersey passed a law calling for 10-hour working day in all factories and it was forbidden to employ children under 10 years old. Meanwhile trade unions were joining together in cities to form federations. They tried to improve wages and working conditions. Hundreds of strikes took place during 1850. The most violent confrontation between labor and employers was the Great Railway Strike of 1877. It led many workers to join a labor organization the Noble and Holy Order of the Knights of Labor, founded in 1869. In 1886 a new organization was founded : The American Federation of Labor. It was sure that skilled workers are best kind. By 1904 it has 1,75 million members and was the nation's dominant labor organization.

In the early 20th Progressivism swept the country. Their goal was to improve conditions for all Americans. They were also concerned about labor's problems. Together with the Am. Fed. of Lab., they pressured state government for laws to protect wage earners, the employment of children under 14 was forbidden, the working day was limited to 9 hours a day, worker's compensation laws were passed. Congress established a Department of Labor in the president's Cabinet. In 1920 the worst economic depression in the nation's history took place. People lost their jobs. By the 1932 millions of people were unemployed. In 1932 Congress passed the Wagner Act. It guaranteed workers the right to join unions and bargain collectively. It also created a powerful National Labor Relations Board.

Unemployment remained high until the US entered Word War 2. By 1943 the unemployment ended and industry was faced with a shortage of labor. During the war labor cooperated with government and industry. When peace came, a wave of strikes for higher wages swept the nation.

In recent years there has been a steady decline in the percentage of workers who belonged to labor unions. But organized labor in the US still remains strong and working conditions steadily improved: the length of working day has been shortened, 40 hours of work a week, insurance pension and health care plans have been included. By the early 1990 the labor force consisted of a large percentage of minorities and women. Employers provide them with education and training programs, with accommodation and on-site child cure and flexible hour. Labor-management issues also changed. Now unions want laws to strengthen their right to strike by prohibition companies from hiring permanent replacement for striking workers. Employers want the right to test their workers for drug use. There is a common belief that all employers should provide adequate health insurance to their workers. Workers want the right to take unpaid leave when they have babies or when a family member is ill. And to stop unemployment government should help create jobs.

5.Social Security. The S.S. program began as a measure to implement "social insurance" during the Great Depression of the 1930s.The original S.S.Act and the current version of the Act, as amended encompass several social welfare or social insurance programs signed into law by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1935. The larger and better known initiatives of the program are: Federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance,Unemployment Insurance, Health Insurance for Aged and Disabled ,State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) etc. The program has been one of the most popular government programs in American history.Most women and minorities were excluded from the benefits of unemployment insurance and old age pensions. Employment definitions reflected typical white male categories and patterns. Job categories that were not covered by the act included workers in agricultural labor, domestic service, government employees, and many teachers, nurses, hospital employees, librarians, and social workers. S.S.in the United States is a social insurance program funded through dedicated payroll taxes called Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA). Officials have responded more to the concerns of women than those of minority groups. S.S.moved toward universal coverage. By 1950, debates moved away from which occupational groups should be included to how to provide more adequate coverage. In 2004 the U.S. Social Security system paid out almost $500 billion in benefits. Spouse's benefit:Any current spouse is eligible, and divorced or former spouses are eligible generally if the marriage lasts for at least 10 years. While it is possible for one worker to generate spousal benefits for up to five of his/her spouses that he/she may have, each must be in succession after a proper divorce for each after a marriage of at least ten years. Widow's benefits:The earliest age for a nondisabled widow(er)'s benefit is age 60. The benefit is equal to the worker's full retirement benefit for spouses who are at, or older than, normal retirement age. Children's benefits:Children of a retired, disabled or deceased worker may receive benefits. There are some benefit programs for disable people:A worker who has worked long enough and recently enough to be covered can receive disability benefits. These benefits start after five full calendar months of disability, regardless of his or her age. As with the retirement benefit, the amount of the disability benefit payable depends on the worker's age and record of covered earnings.

6.The South Atl States 9:Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. The 1^st Europeans to settle here were Eng protestants. In coastal areas settlers grew wealthy by raising and selling crops such as tobacco and cotton. Delaware is located on the Atl Coast in the Mid-Atl region. The st is named after D Bay and River, which were named for Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr . Florida here is Disney world. Is a low-lying peninsula with a coast line 2^nd in length only to Alaska. Is flat. Georgia was the last of the 13 Colonies to be establ as a colony in 1733. It was the 4th st to ratify the US Constitution in 1788. G is also known as the Peach St and the Empire St of the South. Atlanta is the most populous city and the capital. Here is the museum of Margaret Mitchel. Maryland is now the wealthiest state in the US.It bears 2 nicknames, the Old Line St and the Free St. M is a life sciences hub with over 350 biotechnology firms, making it the 3d-largest such cluster in the nation. North Carolina was one of the original 13 Colonies and the home of the 1st Eng colony in the Am-s. Today is a fast-growing st with an increasingly diverse economy and population. A leader n agriculture and business. The nation’s major producer of tobacco. South Carolina Originally known as C, the Province of SC was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence from the Br Crown during the Am Revolution. The st is named after King Charles II, as Carolus is Latin for Charles. Tourism; many racism problems. Virginia Agriculture, colonialism and slavery played significant roles in V's early economy and politics. It was the 1st permanent New World Eng colony and became one of the 13 colonies that would take part in the Am Revolution. West Virginia broke away from V during the Am Civil War and was admitted to the Union in 1863. It is one of only 2 states formed during the Am Civil War (along with Nevada). The capital and largest city is Charleston.The st is noted for its great natural beauty, its historically significant logging and coal mining industries, and its labor history.

7.The us Congress Presidency. Election System

The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. Both senators and representatives are chosen through direct election. Each of the 435 members of the House of Representatives represents a district and serves a two-year term. "House" seats are apportioned among the states by population. The 100 Senators serve staggered six-year terms. Each state has two senators, regardless of population. Every two years, approximately one-third of the Senate is elected. Congress has authority over financial and budgetary matters, the Constitution also gives C. an important role in national defense, including the exclusive power to declare war, to raise and maintain the armed forces, and to make rules for the military. The C. shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States; the C. meets in regular sessions beginning with January 3. The nature of the electoral system in the USA is complex as there are a multitude of elective offices and many elections, not all of which are held at the same time. The president and vice-president, one-third of the Senate, and every member of the House of Representatives are elected at the same time every four years, and two years later the mid-term elections involve all representatives and one-third of the Senate. The President of USA is the head of state and head of government and is the highest political office in US. Presidents are elected indirectly. A number of electors, collectively known as Electoral College, select the president. Each state is allocated a number of electors, equal to the size of its delegation in both houses of C. combined. The 23 Amendment to the Constitution grants electors to the District of Columbia as if it were a state. Voters in each of the states elect a president on Election Day, set by law as the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, once every four years. Each state holds a number of electoral votes that correspond to electors in the Electoral College. Tickets of presidential and vice presidential candidates are shown on the ballot; each vote for the tickets actually corresponds to a vote for a slate of electors chosen by the candidates' political partyThe winning set of electors meets at their state's capital on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December, a few weeks after the election, to vote, and sends a vote count to Congress.

8.The Central Southeast States. The region is blessed with plentiful rainfall and a mild climate. Crops grow easily in its soil and can be grown without frost for at least six months of the year.4 states: Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Alabama became the 22nd state in 1819. Capital City: Montgomery. Largest Cities: Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile. Agriculture: Poultry and eggs, cattle, nursery stock, peanuts, cotton, vegetables, milk, soybeans. Industry: Paper, lumber and wood products, mining, rubber and plastic products, transportation equipment, apparel. Kentucky. Capital: Frankfort. Admitted into the Union in 1792, Kentucky is the 15th state and the first state west of the Appalachian Mountains. It is known as the "Bluegrass State" because of the blue blossoms of the lush grass around Lexington. Kentucky is one of the border states that lie between the North and the South. Rich tobacco fields and champion race horses have long been symbols of Kentucky. Today, Kentucky is associated with coal mines, horse farms ,and racing. Kentucky Derby horse race, America's most prestigious horse race. The name "Mississippi" comes from an Indian word meaning "great waters" or "father of waters". In 1817, Mississippi was admited as the 20th state to the Union. Part of the Deep South, it was once a land of farmers and quiet towns. It is becoming a state of factory workers and busy cities.  Agriculture: Cotton, poultry, cattle, catfish, soybeans, dairy products, rice. Industry: Apparel, furniture, lumber and wood products, food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment. In 1796, Tennessee was the first territory admitted as a state under the federal Constitution (16th state). The lonely pioneer, wearing a coonskin cap and carrying a flintlock rifle, is a symbol of Tennessee's great past. Pioneers crossed the mountains of Tennessee to settle in the wilderness. They brought  with them the spirit of independence. rugged mountains, thick forests and beautiful lakes and rivers. The capital Nashville is known as a center for country music; Memphis