What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of the United States? I'm sure everyone has different things in mind, but for me, after having been there, a lot of funny anecdotes come to mind. It's about a country full of contrasts that leaves no visitor indifferent. And when I talk about contrasts, I am not only referring to places, but also to aspects such as fauna and climate, among others.
Basic facts about the United States
Its capital is Washington D.C. but its most populous city is New York. Well, I imagine you already know this, but I'm sure you don't know all the facts I've gathered below.
It has an area of some 9.8 billion square kilometres and around 327 million inhabitants. Therefore, we are talking about immense distances from one end of the country to the other. To be more precise, measuring the country from Washington to Maine adds up to some 4,200 kilometres and the country's coastline is more than 19,900 kilometres in total.
Source: Pexels
Want to know more about the USA? Go ahead and take a look at the list of curiosities I have prepared. I'm sure there will be some that won't leave you indifferent:
Curiosities about the United States
1. The design of the United States flag, created by a 16-year-old boy, was the result of a history class assignment.
2. As of today, the United States has had 8 different capitals: The first was Philadelphia, followed by Baltimore, Lancaster, York, Princeton, Annapolis, Trenton, New York and finally the present-day Washington D.C. As for New York's capital status, it seems that that lasted little more than a year. But between April 1789, when George Washington was sworn in as president, and July 1790, some sources mention that New York was the (provisional) capital of the nation.
3. Celebrating Christmas was banned in the country. This was because it was considered a pagan festival.
4. Do you know what the official language of the United States is? None! Even though its constitution is written in English and it is the predominant language, there is no standard that establishes English as an official language of the US.
5. 7.2 million was the amount the US paid to buy Alaska.
Source: Pixabay
6. Halloween is a Celtic tradition, not an American one. The holiday began in Ireland more than 1,500 years ago.
7. The first pizzeria in the United States is called "Lombardi's" it is located in New York. Americans are also big fans of pizza!
8. The US White House was designed by an Irishman: James Hoban. Every St Patrick's Day, the building colours the water in its fountains greenish.
9. The USA recycles very little and to support its rate of consumption would require four planets like this one. Something to improve urgently (although there are many countries that should apply the story)!
10. Another curiosity about pizza: Pizza National Day is celebrated on 9 February. It could not be less in a country with some 66,000 pizzerias.
Haven't been surprised by any of them yet? Read on!
11. In the USA marriages between people of different races were prohibited until 1967.
12. The 7 rays on the crown of the Statue of Liberty are said to represent the 7 continents.
13. Established in 1559, St. Augustine (in Florida) is the oldest city in the United States.
14. As for sports, American football is the most popular sport there. In fact, the highest-rated broadcast in the US is the Super Bowl.
15. The famous Empire State Building has its own postcode: 10118
Source: Pixabay
16. If you count the stars on its flag, you can find out how many states make up the USA: 50.
17. The last state to join the United States was Hawaii.
18. A funny fact: The longest state name is Rhode Island: "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations". The funny thing is that this state is the smallest in the country.
19. Atlantic City had the longest boardwalk in the world. Today it is 6.4 kilometres long, but before it was damaged by a brutal storm it was 11 kilometres long.
Want to know more?
20. If you visit the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. there is a gargoyle with the figure of Darth Vader. I tried to spot it during my visit to the US capital, but I couldn't see it.
21. How many kilometres separate Russia and the USA? Only three and a half kilometres separate the two countries because they both have islands in the Bering Strait in close proximity to each other.
22. It is very common to leave at least 15-20% of the bill in tips.
23. Medicines can be bought in supermarkets there.
24. One of the laws that amuses me the most: In Kentucky it is mandatory, by law, that every person must take a bath at least once a year. If you want to know more curious laws in the United States, I have found this link.
25. Each state has its own license plate representing it. It's very curious, take a look when you go!
Source: Pixabay
26. The sale of Kinder Eggs in the USA is illegal, as any marketing of food with a toy inside is prohibited.
27. It is said that the state that most resembles Spain in terms of size is California.
28. Monowi, in Nebraska, is the only town in the United States with only one inhabitant. Her name is Elsie Eiler and she is the mayor of the town.
29. After twelve years of asphalting, Route 66 was the first asphalted road in the USA.
30. The US has had 45 presidents throughout its history.
I hope these curiosities about the United States have surprised you! And if you've got the itch to go there, check out another blog post where I detail what to prepare to go to the United States. What's your favourite tidbit? Feel free to leave a comment!
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