United States

Composition

50 states and the federal capital district of Washington, D.C. (as of 2026-09-06)^[1]

Population

Over 341 million (per Wikipedia contributors) (as of 2026-09-06)^[1]

Continental neighbours

Canada (north) and Mexico (south) across the 48 contiguous states (as of 2026-09-06)^[1]

Form of government

Federal republic under the United States Constitution (as of 2026-09-06)^[1]

Founding documents on display

Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights in the National Archives Rotunda (per U.S. National Archives) (as of 2026-05-07)^[3]

Declaration of Independence adopted

July 4, 1776 (as of 1776-07-04)^[1]

Lee Resolution declaring independence

July 2, 1776 (per Wikipedia contributors) (as of 1776-07-02)^[1]

Geography and population

The United States is a country in North America, consisting of 50 states and the federal capital district of Washington, D.C.^[1]

Canada lies to the north of the 48 contiguous states, with Mexico to the south.^[1]

Among its territories, the country encompasses the semi-exclave of Alaska in the northwestern part of North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific.^[1]

In addition, the United States claims sovereignty over five primary island territories and a number of small, uninhabited islands across Oceania and the Caribbean.^[1]

0:00 Intro Opening segment of a Geography Now! episode on the United States, in which the host introduces the country.

2:14 Overview A short overview chapter of the Geography Now! episode on the United States.

2:56 Geography A chapter of the Geography Now! episode describing physical and political geography of the United States.

5:35 Fun Fact A chapter of the Geography Now! episode presenting brief facts about the country.

History

According to Wikipedia contributors, British colonisation established the Thirteen Colonies, beginning with the 1607 settlement of Virginia.^[1]

According to Wikipedia contributors, the Lee Resolution formally declared independence from Great Britain on July 2, 1776.^[1]

The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776.^[1]

Victory in the Revolutionary War of 1775 to 1783 brought international recognition of United States sovereignty.^[1]

Eleven Southern states seceded and formed the Confederate States of America over sectional division concerning slavery.^[1]

The Union's victory in the Civil War of 1861 to 1865 led to the abolition of slavery in the United States.^[1]

Following the Japanese strike on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the United States joined the Allies in World War II.^[1]

With the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States emerged as the world's only remaining superpower.^[1]

According to the U.S. National Archives, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are identified collectively as the Charters of Freedom.^[3]

According to the National Archives, the Declaration of Independence set out the founding principles of the nation and explained why it broke away from Great Britain.^[3]

According to the National Archives, the Constitution defined the framework of the federal government.^[3]

The National Archives indicates that the Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution and outlines the rights of citizens and states vis-à-vis the federal government.^[3]

According to U.S. National Archives, the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights are permanently housed in the National Archives Rotunda in Washington, D.C.^[3]

Crash Course states that the new United States government operated under the Articles of Confederation during and after the American Revolutionary War.^[7]

According to Crash Course, the framers created the United States Constitution after deciding to build a system for running the country.^[7]

Crash Course states that the Constitutional Convention used compromises to secure passage of the Constitution.^[7]

8:22 History A long chapter of the Geography Now! episode summarising United States history.

17:43 Skyscape Closing chapter of the Geography Now! episode showing a view of the United States from the air.

0:00 Introduction to Crash Course US History Opening of a Crash Course US History episode that frames the early history of peoples in the Americas.

0:45 Native North Americans A chapter of a Crash Course US History episode introducing the indigenous peoples of North America.

1:08 Were Native North Americans 'Primitive?' A chapter of a Crash Course US History episode discussing common misconceptions about pre-Columbian societies.

1:52 Native North American Populations A chapter of a Crash Course US History episode describing the size and distribution of indigenous populations.

3:06 Life in Pre-Columbian America A chapter of a Crash Course US History episode describing daily life in the Americas before European contact.

Government

Under the United States Constitution, the federal government is set up as a republic, with a president holding executive power.^[1]

The Constitution establishes legislative, executive, and judicial branches with separated powers.^[1]

Congress is a bicameral national legislature comprising the House of Representatives and the Senate.^[1]

Under the federal system, each of the 50 states retains considerable self-governance.^[1]

USA.gov describes itself as the official guide to United States government information and services.^[4]

According to USA.gov, USA.gov presents sections on the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government.^[4]

0:00 Introduction Opening of a Crash Course US History episode introducing the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution.

0:34 The Articles of Confederation A chapter of a Crash Course US History episode explaining the Articles of Confederation.

2:10 What did the Articles of Confederation Accomplish? A chapter of a Crash Course US History episode assessing the achievements of the Articles of Confederation.

3:12 Shay's Rebellion A chapter of a Crash Course US History episode describing Shays' Rebellion and its political consequences.

4:24 The United States Constitution A chapter of a Crash Course US History episode describing the drafting of the United States Constitution.

International position

Wikipedia reports that the United States performs strongly in measures of economic competitiveness, innovation, and tertiary education.^[1]

Wikipedia notes that the U.S. economy contributes more than a quarter of the world's nominal GDP and has held the top position since roughly 1890.^[1]

Wikipedia describes the United States as the richest nation in the world, ranking first among OECD countries in per-capita disposable household income.^[1]

Wikipedia indicates that the United States is responsible for close to one-third of worldwide military expenditure and is generally regarded as possessing the strongest armed forces on the planet.^[1]

Wikipedia states that the United States belongs to many international bodies and exerts a leading influence in world politics, culture, the economy, and the military.^[1]

Timeline

1. 1607 British colonisation of North America begins with the settlement of Virginia.^[1]
2. 1776-07-02 The Lee Resolution formally declares independence from Great Britain.^[1]
3. 1776-07-04 The Declaration of Independence is adopted.^[1]
4. 1783 The Revolutionary War ends with international recognition of United States sovereignty.^[1]
5. 1861 Eleven Southern states secede and form the Confederate States of America.^[1]
6. 1865 Union victory in the Civil War leads to the abolition of slavery in the United States.^[1]
7. 1941 The United States enters the Second World War on the Allied side after the attack on Pearl Harbor.^[1]
8. 1991 The Soviet Union collapses, leaving the United States as the world's sole superpower.^[1]