(BRETT ZIEGLER FOR USN&WR)
#7 (BRETT ZIEGLER FOR USN&WR)
Overview of United States
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
- Region
- North America
- GDP Per Capita, PPP
- $62,869
- GDP
- $20.5 trillion
- Population
- 327,167,434
- Area
- 9,833,517 SQ.KM
Overview of United States
The United States of America is a North American nation that is the world’s most dominant economic and military power. Likewise, its cultural imprint spans the world, led in large part by its popular culture expressed in music, movies and television.
The country enters 2020 with a presidential election coming in November that will draw heavy public attention around the world. The most pressing question is whether Donald Trump will win re-election. Both his policies and his rhetoric have raised questions around the world about the nation’s future course on the global stage.
Following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the U.S. launched its War on Terror, including the Iraq War, the ongoing war in Afghanistan and other military strikes, including the 2011 killing of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. The war has had wide-reaching effects on the country’s politics, economy and global alliances that resonate to this day.
The American colonies declared independence from the British Empire in 1776 and were recognized as a new nation in 1783. The country nearly split in two during a civil war in the mid-1800s, but regained its footing in the 20th century, during which time it was on the winning side of both world wars.
The U.S. is a constitution-based federal republic comprised of 50 states. The U.S. economy is the world’s largest in terms of gross domestic product, and also the most technologically powerful. The country’s most significant exports are computers and electrical machinery, vehicles, chemical products, food, live animals and military equipment. The U.S. also has the world’s largest coal reserves.
[READ: America Slips in the Eyes of the World]
The U.S. is culturally and racially diverse, and was shaped by large waves of immigration from Europe and beyond. American literature, art and music reflect the rich heritage of the county’s people. The U.S. is the birthplace of jazz, and Louis Armstrong, an African American, is one of the country’s most recognized and admired musicians. Prize-winning Jewish writers Saul Bellow and Philip Roth are some of the best known literary figures in the U.S. The media industry in the U.S. has a global audience, with its television shows, music videos and films distributed worldwide.
The country is home to some of the top universities in the world, including Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Despite being the foremost global power, the U.S. still faces domestic challenges, including racial tensions, income inequality and an increasingly polarized electorate. All of these fissures have been on display during Trump's presidency, as even his own party has been divided on some of the nation's most important legislation. While national security is a concern, so too, is the debt incurred from wars and expenditures on an aging population. The U.S. leads the developed world in deaths due to firearms.
The U.S. often takes a leading role in international organizations, and was a founding force behind institutions such as the United Nations, NATO and the World Bank.
United States Rankings
#7
| Adventure | 32.4 | #33 |
|---|---|---|
| Citizenship | 53.8 | #15 |
| Cultural Influence | 79.6 | #4 |
| Entrepreneurship | 93.4 | #3 |
| Heritage | 45.9 | #18 |
| Movers | 39.2 | #26 |
| Open for Business | 45.3 | #45 |
| Power | 100.0 | #1 |
| Quality of Life | 57.1 | #15 |
#7
| Adventure | 32.4 | #33 |
|---|---|---|
| Citizenship | 53.8 | #15 |
| Cultural Influence | 79.6 | #4 |
| Entrepreneurship | 93.4 | #3 |
| Heritage | 45.9 | #18 |
| Movers | 39.2 | #26 |
| Open for Business | 45.3 | #45 |
| Power | 100.0 | #1 |
| Quality of Life | 57.1 | #15 |
Attributes
- 66.3Fun
- 28.8Scenic
- 21.9Pleasant climate
- 38.1Friendly
- 6.4Sexy
Attributes
- 61.1Respects property rights
- 86.8Progressive
- 16.3Trustworthy
- 71.0Gender equality
- 41.2Well-distributed political power
- 9.3Cares about the environment
- 44.5Cares about human rights
- 88.1Religious freedom
Attributes
- 76.1Prestigious
- 86.2Culturally significant in terms of entertainment
- 77.2Fashionable
- 68.0Trendy
- 100.0Modern
- 75.2Has an influential culture
- 27.4Happy
Attributes
- 100.0Provides easy access to capital
- 57.4Well-developed infrastructure
- 31.5Transparent business practices
- 80.1Educated population
- 72.8Skilled labor force
- 93.4Entrepreneurial
- 100.0Connected to the rest of the world
- 90.4Innovative
- 95.1Technological expertise
- 93.4Well-developed legal framework
Attributes
- 63.3Culturally accessible
- 58.7Many cultural attractions
- 34.8Has a rich history
- 27.6Has great food
Attributes
- 36.4Distinctive
- 5.9Different
- 13.9Unique
- 89.9Dynamic
Attributes
- 4.0Corrupt
- 13.5Favorable tax environment
- 36.8Bureaucratic
- 24.5Transparent government practices
- 0.4Cheap manufacturing costs
Attributes
- 96.7Strong military
- 100.0Strong international alliances
- 98.3Economically influential
- 95.6Politically influential
- 99.1A leader
Attributes
- 78.4Economically stable
- 100.0A good job market
- 5.5Affordable
- 14.7Safe
- 41.7Politically stable
- 51.1Family friendly
- 87.0Well-developed public education system
- 70.1Well-developed public health system
- 10.8Income equality
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