USA - The United States of America

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USA - The United States of America Everyone has an opinion on the USA. A main player on the world stage, the United States is constantly under the global media spotlight. Whatever your stance, you cannot deny that this North American nation has a lot to offer in terms of diversity; from the creaking depths of the Grand Canyon to the towering heights of Manhattan’s Empire State Building, the luscious tropical forests of Hawaii to the chiselled faces of Mount Rushmore, all fifty states are scattered with gasp-worthy natural wonders and impressive man-made marvels.

The unrivalled entertainment capital of the world, the USA is bursting with theme parks, sports venues, and theatres. The turquoise waves of surf capital California and ski resorts of the snow-cloaked Rocky Mountains in Colorado provide ample excuses for adrenalin junkies to explore, whilst the palm-lined beaches of laid-back Miami and sweeping pastures of the Oklahoma prairies offer true relaxation. “Oh beautiful, for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain, for purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain.” The beloved patriotic song “America the Beautiful” hints at some of the country’s diverse, majestic landscape, which is certainly one of many reasons to visit the US but there are so many others. From its vast plains, snow-covered mountains, deep forests and strange rock formations, to soaring skyscrapers and a thunderous cultural scene, the USA is a collage of extremes. Nothing can prepare you for your first glimpse of Manhattan’s unforgettable skyline, your first ride in a yellow cab, the ubiquitous hamburger joints, yawning expanses of prairie, the sweet strains of New Orleans jazz, or the neon-lit excesses of Las Vegas. When it comes to the natural landscape, you’re hard pressed to find an area more diverse. Marvel at the thunderous spectacle of 12,000-year-old Niagara Falls in northern New York, or seek an antidote to urban chaos amidst the flat farmland of the Midwest. Then there are the black hills of South Dakota, the dramatic mountain and ocean landscape of California’s Pacific Coast Highway and of course, there’s the world-famous Grand Canyon, just one of the 397 parks in the National Parks systems. There’s the manmade landscape, too, which is as impressive as the natural. Though New York City is the most densely populated with soaring skyscrapers, including the iconic Chrysler Building and Empire State Building, other cities have admirable architecture as well, including Chicago’s Sears Tower, and of course, the White House in Washington DC.

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The United States Geography The land area of the contiguous United States is 2,959,064 square miles (7,663,941 km2). Alaska, separated from the contiguous United States by Canada, is the largest state at 663,268 square miles (1,717,856 km2). Hawaii, occupying an archipelago in the central Pacific, southwest of North America, is 10,931 square miles (28,311 km2) in area. The United States is the world’s third or fourth largest nation by total area (land and water), ranking behind Russia and Canada and just above or below China. The ranking varies depending on how two territories disputed by China and India are counted and how the total size of the United States is measured: calculations range from 3,676,486 square miles (9,522,055 km2) to 3,717,813 square miles (9,629,091 km2) to 3,794,101 square miles (9,826,676 km2). measured by only land area, the United States is third in size behind Russia and China, just ahead of Canada.

The United States Facts USA Facts Full country name:

United States of America

Area:

9,629,091sq. km

Population:

318,622,000

People:

77.7% White 13.2% African American 0.2% Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander 17.1% Hispanic/Latino (of any race)

Language:

English, Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, French, Korean and German

Religion:

Christian, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism

Government:

Federal presidential constitutional republic

President:

Barack Obama

Vice President:

Joe Biden

Major industries:

Transportation equipment, natural resources, agriculture and consumer products.

Major trading partners:

Canada, China, Mexico, Japan and Germany

Health risks:

None

Time:

(UTC−5 to −10) and (UTC−4 to −10[d]) summer DST

Electricity:

120 volts AC, 60Hz. Plugs have two flat pins with or without a third round grounding pin.

County code:

+1

Mobile Phone network:

GSM

Weights & measures:

Metric with local variations

5.3% Asian 2.4% Multiracial (2 or more) 1.2% American Indian & Alaska Native 82.9%Non-Hispanic/Latino (of any race)

The United States is the world’s third or fourth largest nation by total area (land and water), ranking behind Russia and Canada and just above or below China. The ranking varies depending on how two territories disputed by China and India are counted and how the total size of the United States is measured: calculations range from 3,676,486 square miles (9,522,055 km2) to 3,717,813 square miles (9,629,091 km2) to 3,794,101 square miles (9,826,676 km2). Measured by only land area, the United States is third in size behind Russia and China, just ahead of Canada.

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The coastal plain of the Atlantic seaboard gives way further inland to deciduous forests and the rolling hills of the Piedmont. The Appalachian Mountains divide the eastern seaboard from the Great Lakes and the grasslands of the Midwest. The Mississippi–Missouri River, the world’s fourth longest river system, runs mainly north–south through the heart of the country. The flat, fertile prairie of the Great Plains stretches to the west, interrupted by a highland region in the southeast. The Rocky Mountains, at the western edge of the Great Plains, extend north to south across the country, reaching altitudes higher than 14,000 feet (4,300 m) in Colorado. Farther west are the rocky Great Basin and deserts such as the Chihuahua and Mojave. The Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges run close to the Pacific coast, both ranges reaching altitudes higher than 14,000 feet (4,300 m). The lowest and highest points in the continental United States are in the state of California, and only about 80 miles (130 km) apart. At 20,320 feet (6,194 m), Alaska’s Mount McKinley is the tallest peak in the country and in North America. Active volcanoes are common throughout Alaska’s Alexander and Aleutian Islands, and Hawaii consists of volcanic islands. The super volcano underlying Yellowstone National Park in the Rockies is the continent’s largest volcanic feature. The United States, with its large size and geographic variety, includes most climate types. To the east of the 100th meridian, the climate ranges from humid continental in the north to humid subtropical in the south. The southern tip of Florida is tropical, as is Hawaii. The Great Plains west of the 100th meridian are semi-arid. Much of the Western mountains are alpine. The climate is arid in the Great Basin, desert in the Southwest, Mediterranean in coastal California, and oceanic in coastal Oregon and Washington and southern Alaska. Most of Alaska is subarctic or polar. Extreme weather is not uncommon—the states bordering the Gulf of Mexico are prone to hurricanes, and most of the world’s tornadoes occur within the country, mainly in the Midwest’s Tornado Alley. The U.S. ecology is considered “mega diverse”: about 17,000 species of vascular plants occur in the contiguous United States and Alaska, and over 1,800 species of flowering plants are found in Hawaii, few of which occur on the mainland. The United States is home to more than 400 mammal, 750 bird, and 500 reptile and amphibian species. About 91,000 insect species have been described. The bald eagle is both the national bird and national animal of the United States, and is an enduring symbol of the country itself.

The United States Culture The United States is home to many cultures and a wide variety of ethnic groups, traditions, and values. Aside from the relatively small Native American and Native Hawaiian populations, nearly all Americans or their ancestors settled or immigrated within the past five centuries. Mainstream American culture is a Western culture largely derived from the traditions of European immigrants with influences from many other sources, such as traditions brought by slaves from Africa. More recent immigration from Asia and especially Latin America has added to a cultural mix that has been described as both a homogenizing melting pot, and a heterogeneous salad bowl in which immigrants and their descendants retain distinctive cultural characteristics. Core American culture was established by Protestant British colonists and shaped by the frontier settlement process, with the traits derived passed down to descendants and transmitted to immigrants through assimilation. Americans have traditionally been characterized by a strong work ethic, competitiveness, and individualism, as well as a unifying belief in an “American creed” emphasizing liberty, equality, private property, democracy, rule of law, and a preference for limited government. Americans are extremely charitable by global standards. According to a 2006 British study, Americans gave 1.67% of GDP to charity, more than any other nation studied, more than twice the second place British figure of 0.73%, and around twelve times the French figure of 0.14%. The American Dream, or the perception that Americans enjoy high social mobility, plays a key role in attracting immigrants. Whether this perception is realistic has been a topic of debate. While mainstream culture holds that the United States is a classless society, scholars

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identify significant differences between the country’s social classes, affecting socialization, language, and values. Americans’ self-images, social viewpoints, and cultural expectations are associated with their occupations to an unusually close degree. While Americans tend greatly to value socioeconomic achievement, being ordinary or average is generally seen as a positive attribute.

Religion in the United States The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the free exercise of religion and forbids Congress from passing laws respecting its establishment. Christianity is by far the most common religion practiced in the U.S., but other religions are followed, too. In a 2013 survey, 56% of Americans said that religion played a “very important role in their lives”, a far higher figure than that of any other wealthy nation. In a 2009 Gallup poll 42% of Americans said that they attended church weekly or almost weekly; the figures ranged from a low of 23% in Vermont to a high of 63% in Mississippi. As with other Western countries, the U.S. is becoming less religious. Irreligion is growing rapidly among Americans under 30. Polls show that overall American confidence in organized religion is declining and that younger Americans in particular are becoming increasingly irreligious. According to a 2012 survey, 73% of adults identified themselves as Christian, down from 86.4% in 1990.Protestant denominations accounted for 48%, while Roman Catholicism, at 22%, was the largest individual denomination. The total reporting non-Christian religions in 2012 was 6%, up from 4% in 2007. Other religions include Judaism (1.7%), Buddhism (0.7%), Islam (0.6%), Hinduism (0.4%), and Unitarian Universalism (0.3%). The survey also reported that 19.6% of Americans described themselves as agnostic, atheist or simply having no religion, up from 8.2% in 1990. There are also Baha’i, Sikh, Jain, Shinto, Confucian, Taoist, Druid, Native American, Wiccan, humanist and deist communities.

Language in the United States English (American English) is the de facto national language. Although there is no official language at the federal level, some laws—such as U.S. naturalization requirements—standardize English. In 2010, about 230 million, or 80% of the population aged five years and older, spoke only English at home. Spanish, spoken by 12% of the population at home, is the second most common language and the most widely taught second language. Some Americans advocate making English the country’s official language, as it is in at least 28 states. Both Hawaiian and English are official languages in Hawaii, by state law. While neither has an official language, New Mexico has laws providing for the use of both English and Spanish, as Louisiana does for English and French. Other states, such as California, mandate the publication of Spanish versions of certain government documents including court forms. Many jurisdictions with large numbers of non-English speakers produce government materials, especially voting information, in the most commonly spoken languages in those jurisdictions.

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Events and Public Holidays Public Holidays Date

Holiday name

Holiday type

Jan 1

New Year's Day

National holiday

Jan 6

Epiphany

Christian

Jan 7

Orthodox Christmas Day

Orthodox

Jan 13

Stephen Foster Memorial Day

Observance

Jan 14

The Prophet's Birthday

Muslim

Jan 14

Orthodox New Year

Orthodox

Jan 16

Tu Bishvat/Tu B'Shevat

Jewish holiday

Jan 17

Lee Jackson Day

State holiday

Virginia

Jan 19

Robert E Lee's Birthday

State holiday

Florida

Jan 19

Confederate Memorial Day

State holiday

Texas

Jan 20

Martin Luther King Day

National holiday

Jan 20

Robert E Lee's Birthday

State holiday

AL, AR, MS

Jan 20

Idaho Human Rights Day

State holiday

Idaho

Jan 20

Civil Rights Day

State holiday

Arizona, New Hampshire

Jan 29

Kansas Day

Observance

Jan 31

Chinese New Year

Observance

Feb 1

National Freedom Day

Observance

Feb 2

Groundhog Day

Observance

Feb 4

Rosa Parks Day

Local observance

Feb 7

National Wear Red Day

Observance

Feb 12

Lincoln's Birthday

State holiday

CT, IL, MO, NJ, NY

Feb 12

Lincoln's Birthday

Local observance

Florida

Feb 14

Valentine's Day

Observance

Feb 15

Susan B Anthony's Birthday

Local observance

Feb 17

Presidents' Day (Washington's Birthday)

National holiday

Feb 17

Daisy Gatson Bates Day

State holiday

Mar 1

St. David's Day

Observance

Mar 2

Texas Independence Day

State holiday

Texas

Mar 3

Casimir Pulaski Day

State holiday

Illinois

Mar 3

Read Across America Day

Observance

Mar 4

Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras

Observance

Mar 4

Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras

Local observance

Florida

Mar 4

Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras

State holiday

Alabama, Louisiana

Mar 4

Town Meeting Day Vermont

State holiday

Mar 5

Ash Wednesday

Christian

OSS World Wide Movers - USA - The United States of America Destination Guide

Where it is observed

California, Ohio

CA, FL, NY, WI

Arkansas

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Mar 9

Daylight Saving Time starts

Clock change/Daylight Saving Time

Mar 16

Purim

Jewish holiday

Mar 17

St. Patrick's Day

Observance

Mar 17

Evacuation Day

State holiday

Mar 20

March equinox

Season

Mar 25

Maryland Day

Local observance

Maryland

Mar 26

Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Day

State holiday

Hawaii

Mar 31

Seward's Day

State holiday

Alaska

Mar 31

César Chávez Day

State holiday

CA, CO*, TX*

Apr 2

Pascua Florida Day

Local observance

Florida

Apr 6

National Tartan Day

Observance

Apr 13

Palm Sunday

Christian

Apr 13

Thomas Jefferson's Birthday

Observance

Apr 15

Passover (first day)

Jewish holiday

Apr 15

Tax Day

Observance

Apr 15

Father Damien Day

Local observance

Apr 15

National Library Workers' Day

Observance

Apr 16

Emancipation Day

State holiday

Apr 17

Maundy Thursday

Christian

Apr 18

Orthodox Good Friday

Orthodox

Apr 18

Good Friday

State holiday

Apr 19

Holy Saturday

Christian

Apr 19

Orthodox Holy Saturday

Orthodox

Apr 20

Orthodox Easter

Orthodox

Apr 20

Easter Sunday

Observance, Christian

Apr 21

Orthodox Easter Monday

Orthodox

Apr 21

Easter Monday

Christian

Apr 21

Patriot's Day

State holiday

Maine, Massachusetts

Apr 21

San Jacinto Day

State holiday

Texas

Apr 22

Last Day of Passover

Jewish holiday

Apr 22

Oklahoma Day

Local observance

Apr 23

Administrative Professionals Day

Observance

Apr 25

Arbor Day

State holiday

Nebraska

Apr 26

Confederate Memorial Day

Local observance

Florida

Apr 28

Yom HaShoah

Jewish holiday

Apr 28

Confederate Memorial Day

State holiday

AL, FL, GA

Apr 28

Confederate Memorial Day

State holiday

Mississippi

May 1

Law Day

Observance

May 1

Loyalty Day

Observance

May 1

National Day of Prayer

Observance

OSS World Wide Movers - USA - The United States of America Destination Guide

Massachusetts

Hawaii

District of Columbia

13 states

Oklahoma

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May 3

National Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Day

Observance

May 4

Rhode Island Independence Day

State holiday

May 5

Cinco de Mayo

Observance

May 6

Yom Ha'atzmaut

Jewish holiday

May 6

National Nurses Day

Observance

May 6

Primary Election Day Indiana

State holiday

Indiana

May 8

Truman Day

State holiday

Missouri

May 9

Confederate Memorial Day observed

State holiday

South Carolina

May 10

Confederate Memorial Day

State holiday

North Carolina, South Carolina

May 11

Mothers' Day

Observance

May 13

Primary Election Day West Virginia

State holiday

May 15

Peace Officers Memorial Day

Observance

May 16

National Defense Transportation Day

Observance

May 17

Armed Forces Day

Observance

May 18

Lag BaOmer

Jewish holiday

May 21

Emergency Medical Services for Children Day

Observance

May 22

National Maritime Day

Observance

May 22

Harvey Milk Day

Local observance

May 25

National Missing Children's Day

Observance

May 26

Memorial Day

National holiday

May 26

Jefferson Davis Birthday

Local observance

May 27

Isra and Mi'raj

Muslim

May 29

Ascension Day

Christian

Jun 1

Statehood Day

Local observance

Kentucky, Tennessee

Jun 2

Jefferson Davis Birthday

State holiday

Alabama

Jun 3

Jefferson Davis Birthday

Local observance

Florida

Jun 4

Shavuot

Jewish holiday

Jun 6

D-Day

Observance

Jun 8

Pentecost

Christian

Jun 9

Whit Monday

Christian

Jun 11

Kamehameha Day

State holiday

Jun 14

Flag Day

Observance

Jun 14

Flag Day

Local observance

Jun 15

Trinity Sunday

Christian

Jun 15

Fathers' Day

Observance

Jun 17

Bunker Hill Day

State holiday

Jun 19

Corpus Christi

Christian

Jun 19

Juneteenth

Local observance

OSS World Wide Movers - USA - The United States of America Destination Guide

Rhode Island

West Virginia

California

Mississippi

Hawaii

Florida

Massachusetts

All except Am. Samoa, AZ, HI, MD, MP, MT, ND, NH, SD,UT, Virg. Is., Wake Is.

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Jun 20

West Virginia Day

State holiday

Jun 21

June Solstice

Season

Jun 29

Ramadan starts

Muslim

Jul 4

Independence Day

National holiday

Jul 24

Lailat al-Qadr

Muslim

Jul 24

Pioneer Day

State holiday

Jul 27

Parents' Day

Observance

Jul 29

Eid al-Fitr

Muslim

Aug 1

Colorado Day

Local observance

Aug 5

Tisha B'Av

Jewish holiday

Aug 11

Victory Day

State holiday

Aug 15

Assumption of Mary

Christian

Aug 15

Statehood Day in Hawaii

State holiday

Hawaii

Aug 15

Bennington Battle Day observed

State holiday

Vermont

Aug 16

Bennington Battle Day

State holiday

Vermont

Aug 19

National Aviation Day

Observance

Aug 21

Senior Citizens Day

Observance

Aug 27

Lyndon Baines Johnson Day

State holiday

Sep 1

Labor Day

National holiday

Sep 6

Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day

Observance

Sep 7

National Grandparents Day

Observance

Sep 9

California Admission Day

Local observance

Sep 11

Patriot Day

Observance

Sep 17

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

Observance

Sep 19

National POW/MIA Recognition Day

Observance

Sep 22

Emancipation Day

Local observance

Sep 23

September equinox

Season

Sep 25

Rosh Hashana

Jewish holiday

Sep 26

Native Americans' Day

Local observance

Sep 28

Gold Star Mother's Day

Observance

Oct 4

Feast of St Francis of Assisi

Christian

Oct 4

Yom Kippur

Jewish holiday

Oct 5

Eid al-Adha

Muslim

Oct 6

Child Health Day

Observance

Oct 9

First Day of Sukkot

Jewish holiday

Oct 9

Leif Erikson Day

Observance

Oct 13

Columbus Day

National holiday

All except AK, AR, CA, DE, FL, HI, NV, OR, SD, TX, WA

Oct 13

Columbus Day

Local observance

Florida

Oct 13

Native Americans' Day

Local observance

South Dakota

OSS World Wide Movers - USA - The United States of America Destination Guide

West Virginia

Utah

Colorado

Rhode Island

Texas

California

Ohio

California, Washington

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Oct 13

Indigenous People's Day

Local observance

Oct 15

Last Day of Sukkot

Jewish holiday

Oct 15

White Cane Safety Day

Observance

Oct 16

Shmini Atzeret

Jewish holiday

Oct 16

Boss's Day

Observance

Oct 17

Simchat Torah

Jewish holiday

Oct 17

Alaska Day observed

State holiday

Alaska

Oct 18

Alaska Day

State holiday

Alaska

Oct 23

Diwali/Deepavali

Observance

Oct 25

Muharram

Muslim

Oct 31

Halloween

Observance

Oct 31

Nevada Day

State holiday

Nov 1

All Saints' Day

Christian

Nov 2

All Souls' Day

Christian

Nov 2

Daylight Saving Time ends

Clock change/Daylight Saving Time

Nov 4

Election Day

State holiday

12 states

Nov 5

Election Day

State holiday

New York

Nov 6

Return Day Delaware

State holiday

Delaware

Nov 11

Veterans Day

National holiday

Nov 27

Thanksgiving Day

National holiday

Nov 28

Robert E Lee's Birthday

State holiday

Georgia

Nov 28

Presidents' Day

State holiday

New Mexico

Nov 28

Lincoln's Birthday/Lincoln's Day

State holiday

Indiana, West Virginia

Nov 28

Black Friday

State holiday

21 states

Nov 28

American Indian Heritage Day

State holiday

Maryland

Nov 30

First Sunday of Advent

Christian

Dec 1

Cyber Monday

Observance

Dec 6

St Nicholas' Day

Observance

Dec 7

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

Observance

Dec 8

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Christian

Dec 12

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Observance

Dec 17

Chanukah/Hanukkah (first day)

Jewish holiday

Dec 17

Pan American Aviation Day

Observance

Dec 17

Wright Brothers Day

Observance

Dec 21

December Solstice

Season

Dec 24

Last Day of Chanukah

Jewish holiday

Dec 24

Christmas Eve

State holiday

Dec 24

Christmas Eve

Observance, Christian

Dec 25

Christmas Day

National holiday, Christian

OSS World Wide Movers - USA - The United States of America Destination Guide

California

Nevada

KS*, LA, MI, NC, ND, OK, SC, TX, VA*, WI

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Dec 26

Kwanzaa (until Jan 1)

Observance

Dec 26

Day After Christmas Day

State holiday

KS, KY, NC, NH, SC, TX, VA

Dec 26

Washington's Birthday

State holiday

Indiana

Dec 31

New Year's Eve

State holiday

LA, MI, WI

Dec 31

New Year's Eve

Observance

General Information Office hours Business hours are officially Mon-Fri 0900-1730, although an extended working day is very common in certain sectors and it is not unusual for people to be working well into the night or over the weekend. Economy The US economy is the world’s largest, most technologically powerful and diverse. Distinct benefits arise from a unique combination of mass immigration, technological and marketing innovations, vast natural resources, expansion of international trade, historical fortune and an economic system designed to reinforce professional and personal enterprise. The enormous influence of US-based multinational companies within the world economy affords unparalleled global influence and allows its currency unique international status. Large areas of the USA, particularly in the Midwest, are under cultivation and produce a wide range of commodities: important are cotton, grain and tobacco, all exported on a large scale. Principal mining operations produce oil, gas, coal, copper, iron, uranium and silver. US industry leads in steel production, automotive manufacturing, aerospace technology, telecommunications, chemical engineering, electronics, computer-based commerce and manufactured goods. The largest employment is in the service sector, finance, leisure and tourism. The unemployment rate in 2011 was 9.1%, with growth at 2.5% and inflation at 3%. If for no other reason than its role in the world economy, the USA is an important conference destination; there are state, city and regional travel and convention organisations in every part of the country, each actively promoting its own assets. There are several magazines aimed at helping the conference organiser; they include Meeting & Conventions Magazine (www.mcmag.com),Successful Meetings Magazine (www.successfulmeetings.com) and Association Meetings Magazine(www.meetingsnet.com). Three of the largest convention and trade show venues in the USA are Las Vegas, New York and Chicago, with Las Vegas holding the top position for a number of years. Organisers interested in US venues should contact the US Travel Association (www.ustravel.org) or the travel organisations listed in the individual state sections. In addition to the state organisations, addresses of travel and convention organisations for cities and counties are also included. Telephone For emergency police, fire or medical services in major cities, dial 911. The following codes denote toll-free (free phone) numbers: 800, 855, 866, 877 and 888.

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Mobile phone Foreign mobile telephones only work if they are tri-band or quad-band; charges are high. Visitors can also hire a mobile telephone. Pre-pay cell phones can be purchased from a variety of retail outlets, including drug stores. Internet There are internet cafés in most urban areas, and an increasing number of Wi-Fi hotspots. Many coffee shops offer free Wi-Fi. Many of the international airports offer internet access too. Post There are numerous post offices throughout the states. Stamps can also be bought at stamp machines in hotels and shops. Airmail to Europe takes up to one week. Post office hours Mon-Fri 0830-1630. Media Freedom of expression in the US is guaranteed by the constitution. The USA has the most highly developed mass media in the world. Public broadcasting is partly government-funded, but also supported by private grants. Press Freedom of expression in the US is guaranteed by the constitution. The USA has the most highly developed mass media in the world, publishing more newspapers than any other country. Public broadcasting is partly government-funded, but also supported by private grants. High readership papers include Los Angeles Times and The New York Times. The Wall Street Journal, USA Today and the Washington Post are also popular. The high degree of self-government of each state means newspapers tend to be region specific. Top TV networks include ABC (American Broadcasting Corporation), CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System), CNN (Cable News Network), FOX (Fox Television Network) and NBC (National Broadcasting Corporation). National radio networks include ABC Radio Networks, National Public Radio, Fox News Radio and CBS operates Westwood One and American Radio Network.

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