General

Geography

The United States cover a large part of the North American continent and in northern Canada, south of Mexico, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea to the east by the Atlantic Ocean and the west by the Pacific Ocean is limited. The state of Alaska is in the extreme northwest of the continent, is bounded on the north by the Arctic Ocean and is separated from the rest of Canada by the United States. Hawaii is located in the Central Pacific. Due to the vastness of the landscape of the United States is extremely diverse. The climate ranges from subtropical to Arctic, with the appropriate flora and fauna. More detailed descriptions of the geographical area in the details of each section, the states of AZ.

Form of government

Presidential federal republic with a federal constitution since 1789, last amendment to the Constitution 1992nd Bicameral legislature (Congress): House of Representatives (House of Representatives) with 435 deputies elected for two years and the Senate (Senate) with 100 members elected for six years (1/3 of the senators are elected every 2 years new). Heads of State and government: George W. Bush (43rd President of the United States) since 2001. According to the State and Government of the highest rank of Secretary (Secretary of State) will be taken. The United States consists of 50 equal states with its own constitution, its own parliament and an elected governor. Sovereignty of individual states are in the areas of education and legislation for civil, commercial and criminal jurisdiction. There is also the District of Columbia, 2 U.S. Commonwealth Territories and foreign and leases. Independence since 1776 (from UK).

Language

In English. Many other languages ​​are spoken in certain parts of the country. On the Mexican border in some areas, English has replaced Spanish as the main spoken language. About 20 million people do not speak English.

Religion

Protestants (51%), Roman Catholic (26.2%), Jewish, Muslim, and many other faiths. In the big cities, people of certain ethnic or religious groups often live in the same district.

Time / time zones, U.S. (note our world clock)

Eastern Standard Time / New York: GMT - 6
CST / Chicago: GMT - 7
Mountain Standard Time / Salt Lake City: GMT - 8
Pacific Standard Time / Los Angeles: GMT - 9
Time Yukon / Alaska Mainland: GMT - 10
Alaska-Hawaii Time / Hawaii
Aleutian Islands west of Alaska: GMT - 11

Note

From 1 Sunday in April to last Sunday in October clocks are put forward by 1 hour in all states, except in most of Indiana, Arizona and Hawaii. This means the following time difference to Central Europe in summer and winter:
Eastern Standard Time / New York: GMT - 6 Last Sunday in April to last Sunday in October: GMT -5 (DST = Standard Time in New York CET (Central European Winter Time) -5 hours). Of Central Europe is in winter and in summer -6 hours
CST / Chicago: GMT - 7 Last Sunday in April to last Sunday in October: GMT -6 (DST = Standard Time in Chicago CET (Central European Wintertime) -6 hours). Of Central Europe is in winter and summer -7 hours
Mountain Standard Time / Salt Lake City: GMT - 8 Last Sunday in April to last Sunday in October: GMT -7 (DST in Salt Lake City Standard time = CET (Central European Wintertime) -7 hours). Of Central Europe is in winter and summer -8 hours
Pacific Standard Time / Los Angeles: GMT - 9 Last Sunday in April to last Sunday in October: GMT -8 (DST in Los Angeles Standard Time = CET (Central European Time in winter) -8 hrs). Of Central Europe is in winter and in summer 9 hours behind
Time Yukon / Alaska Mainland: GMT - 10 Last Sunday in April to last Sunday in October: GMT -9 (DST in Alaska Standard Time = CET (Central European Wintertime) -9 hours). Of Central Europe is in winter and in summer -10 hours
Alaska-Hawaii Time / Hawaii and Aleutian Islands west of Alaska: GMT - 11 No daylight saving time in Hawaii. Of Central Europe in winter is -11 hours -12 hours in the summer and

Mains voltage

110/120 V, 60 Hz adapter or dual power switch is required.

Post and Telecommunications

Phone

International direct dialing.

Country code

First

Mobile phone

GSM 1900, PCS and analog. Tri-band devices are required. Roaming agreements exist. The most important network operators with GSM 1900 include Verizon (website: www.verizonwireless.com), Cingular (website: www.cingular.com) and AT & T Wireless (website: www.attwireless.com). GSM coverage is mainly in larger cities.

Fax Services

To be available everywhere. In all major cities and tourist centers there are bureaux that provide most of the hotels also have facilities.

Internet / e-mail

Public access to Internet / e-mail in business centers, hotels and airports. Internet cafes are available throughout the country in large numbers are available. ISPs include America Online (website: www.aol.com), AT & T Business Internet Services (website: www.attbusiness.net), Cable & Wireless (website: www.cw.com), Mindspring (website: www.earthlink.net ), MSN (website: www.msn.com).

Telegrams

Facilities are available in all telegraph and post offices.

Post

There are numerous post offices in all states. Stamps can be purchased at ATMs and for an extra charge in shops and hotels. Airmail to Europe takes up to a week on the road. Post office opening times: Mon-Sat 0900-1700 clock. In major cities, the main post offices are open 24 hours long.

Climate chart of San Francisco