本科英美概况第十周 Chapter 10 Land and PeopleWord文档格式.docx

1、Through a system of separation of powers and the system of checks and balances, each of these branches has some authority to act on its own, some authority to regulate the other two branches, and has some of its own authority, in turn, regulated by the other branches. The policies of the federal gov

2、ernment have a broad impact on both the domestic and foreign affairs of the United States. In addition, the powers of the federal government as a whole are limited by the Constitution, which, per the Tenth Amendment, gives all power not directed to the National government, to the State level, or to

3、the people.The seat of the federal government is in the federal district of Washington, D.C.# The White House# Washington MonumentWashington Monument with American flags circling the monument. Alone among the Founders of the United States, George Washington earned the title Father of his Country in

4、recognition of his leadership in the cause of American independence. Appointed commander of the Continental Army in 1775, he molded a fighting force that won independence. In 1787 as President of the Constitutional Convention, he helped guide the deliberations to form a government that has lasted fo

5、r more than 200 years. Two years later he was unanimously elected the first President of the United States.# Capital Hill# Lincoln Memorial# The Statue of Liberty , was presented to the United States by the people of France in 1886. Standing on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, it welcomes visitors

6、, immigrants, and returning Americans traveling by ship.# Its LandThe United States of America is a federal republic on the continent of North America. The 50 U.S. states vary widely in size and population. The largest states in area are Alaska at 1,717,854 sq km, followed by Texas, and California.

7、The smallest state is Rhode Island. The state with the largest population is California followed by Texas, and New York. 1. The MountainsThe Rocky Mountains stretch more than 4,800 kilometers （3,000 miles） from northernmost British Columbia, in Canada, to New Mexico, in the United States.The Appalac

8、hian Mountains are a vast system of mountains in eastern North America. The range is mostly located in the United States, but extends into southeastern Canada. The Appalachian Mountains usually include areas in the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and North Carolina,

9、 as well as sometimes extending as far south as northern Georgia and western South Carolina, as far north as Pennsylvania, and as far west as southern Ohio. The Great Smoky Mountains are portion of the Appalachian Mountain system, in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. The Great Smoky Moun

10、tains National Park, and parts of several national forests are located here. The mountains are named for the smoke-like haze characteristic of the region. Mount Rushmore, is a monumental granite sculpture, located in South Dakota. The Presidential Memorial represents the first 150 years of the histo

11、ry of the United States of America with 60-foot sculptures of the heads of former United States presidents （left to right）: George Washington （17321799）, Thomas Jefferson （17431826）, Theodore Roosevelt （18581919）, and Abraham Lincoln （18091865）. #The lakes and RiversWater features, including lakes,

12、rivers, and coastlines, have played an important role in the development of the United States. 1. Mississippi RiverAs North Americas longest river, the Mississippi River flows 3,770 km from its source at Lake Itasca, Minnesota, to its mouth at the Gulf of Mexico. 2. Ohio RiverThe Ohio River is one o

13、f the main tributaries of the Mississippi River, draining the northern portions of the Appalachian Mountains and the Midwest. 3. Tennessee RiverTennessee River drains much of the southern Appalachian Mountains before it joins the Ohio River in western Kentucky. 4. Missouri River Missouri River is a

14、major tributary of the Mississippi. Its drainage basin encompasses most of the northern Great Plains region. 5. Colorado RiverOriginating in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, the Colorado River extends for 2,330 km to the Gulf of California in Mexico. # The large cities in USADuring the settlement of

15、 the nation, immigrants moved westward across the United States and found a rich and varied natural environment. Large Cities in the United States （P. 148）The United States has dozens of major cities, including 11 of the 55 global cities of all types with three alpha global cities: New York City, Lo

16、s Angeles, and Chicago.1. New York2. Los Angeles3.Chicago#Its PeopleIn 2006 the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that the United States population had reached a milestone: 300 million people. This population count makes the United States the third most populous country in the world, after China and Indi

17、a. Nearly 5 percent of the Earths inhabitants live in the United States. Historically, this nation has attracted vast numbers of immigrants from around the globe. The population of the United States has become increasingly diverse in ethnic composition, characteristics, language, and religion. #Cult

18、ure Diversity Although Americas culture is becoming more uniform, its society remains a diverse mix of ethnic, racial, and religious groups. The United States is a pluralistic society, meaning it is composed of many nationalities, races, religions, and creeds. The United States is certainly one of t

19、he most diverse countries of the world, both from a cultural and an environmental perspective. The land that is now the United States was home to diverse cultures when the first Europeans and Africans arrived. It was inhabited by a variety of Native American peoples who spoke more than 300 different

20、 languages. The Europeans and Africans added their own varying cultures to this diversity. The 13 colonies they founded along the eastern seaboard became the United States in the late 18th century. During the following century, the new nation added huge chunks of territory, and millions of immigrant

21、s arrived, mainly from Europe and especially during the years from 1860 to 1914. A second migration occurred in the Southwest, where Hispanics pushed northward from Mexico, leaving an indelible imprint. In addition, slaves were brought from Africa to work on agricultural estates in the South, where

22、they formed a large percentage of the population. Percent （%） General Demographics of Entire USA PopulationEthnic CategorySex/GenderFemalesMalesTotalHispanic or Latino6.436.1812.6Not Hispanic or Latino44.6042.8687.40Ethnic Category Total of All Subjects *51.0049.00100Racial CategoriesAmerican Indian/Alaska Native0.450.440.89Asian1.851.783.62Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander0.070.14Black or African American6.296.0412.33White38.3336.8375.16Other or Unknown2.792.685.47Two or more race1.231.182.42Racial Categories: Total of All Subjects*