1. Symbols The Great Seal – the American Bald Eagle holds an olive branch and 13 arrows = desire for peace, but ability to wage war -the pyramid= strength and duration

2. Federal Government Based on the Constitution - since 1790 Three branches: executive, legislative and judicial The seat of the government is in Washington, D.C., which is the capital of the USA

3. Executive Branch President – head of state, head of government, military commander-in-chief, chief diplomat Elected by the US Electoral College ( 538 members) for a 4-year term – may serve twice According to the Constitution, the President must "take care that the laws be faithfully executed", and "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution". Barack Obama is the forty-fourth president of the USA

4. Legislative Branch The United States Congress consists of: the House of Representatives - 435 members (number for each state based on the state’s population) elected for 2- year terms the Senate – 100 members (2 for each state) elected for 6-year terms The Congress makes federal laws; its members are elected by voters from individual states

5. Judicial Branch The Supreme Court and lower federal courts, whose judges are appointed by the president with Senate approval Interprets laws and overturns those they find unconstitutional The Supreme Court has 9 members, who serve for life.

6. Political Parties The United States has operated under a two-party system for most of its history Democratic Party – centre-left or “liberal” Republican Party – centre-right or “conservative”

7. Economy The USA is the largest importer of goods and the third largest exporter. Its economy is postindustrial, with the service sector contributing 67.8% of GDP

8. Economy Manufacturing –chemical products, cars, airplanes, electronics Number one producer of electrical and nuclear energy Top producer of corn and soybeans The world largest importer of oil (and the third largest producer of it)

9. Demographics The USA has a very diverse population – more than thirty ancestry groups (German, Irish, English and African American being the four largest) Over 308 million people, including about 11 million illegal immigrants The population growth is of Latino Americans is a major demographic trend.

10. About 82% of Americans live in urban areas (including the suburbs) Largest cities: New York (over 8 million people), l Los Angeles, Chicago, Huston