United States Overview
The United States is a country in North America. Its full name is the United States of America, which is often shortened to the U.S. or U.S.A. The United States is made up of more than just the 48 contiguous states in the middle of the continent. It also includes the state of Alaska in the far northwest of North America and the island state of Hawaii in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The contiguous states have Canada to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Gulf of Mexico and Mexico to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The United States probably stands out most for how different it is. It has a wide range of natural environments, from the Arctic to the subtropics, from moist rain forests to dry deserts and from rough mountain peaks to flat prairies. Some of the most beautiful scenery in the world and some of the most famous landmarks in the world are in the United States. Many of the best places to visit in the United States are on people's "bucket lists," and people come from all over the world to see them. It's easy to see why the USA is the most popular place for international students to study. They can have unique academic experiences and get great career development opportunities too.
