About United States
The history of the United States of America began with the landing of the Mayflower at Plymouth Rock in Connecticut on December 11, 1620. Emigrants from various European countries, all seeking personal and religious freedoms not available in the Old World, faced tremendous obstacles to found new lives in a wild land. Weather and nature, hunger and disease, misunderstandings with natives, disagreements with mother nations in Europe all challenged them. Independence from England was declared July 4th, 1776, which then had to won by the Revolutionary War. It wasn't until June 21, 1788 that the consititution of the United States was ratified, allowing it to become the most properous and stable nation in the world.
The United States covers 3,537,441 square miles on the North American continent, plus the islands of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. Forty-eight states are called the "contiguous" or "continental" states, reaching from the Atlantic Ocean on the east, to the Pacific Ocean on the west. Canada lies across the border to the north and Mexico to the south. The population as of the 2000 census was 284,796,887, and is estimated now to be over 300,000,000.
What to See in the United States
The United States include a diverse collection scenery, geography and climate. Many gems of scenic and natural wonder are showcased in the National Park System and much of interest can be found in other mountainous, desert, rural or urban areas. A few samples which you can visit in an UntraveledRoad tour are listed here:
Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon is our single most popular destination. With over 10,000 images, you can travel all the main roads in the park on both the North Rim and the South Rim and make a virtual hike down into the mile-deep canyon on trails such as the Bright Angel Trail, Kaibab Trail, and Tanner Trail.
Yellowstone National Park
The Yellowstone National Park, home of thousands of geysers, hot springs, mudpots, and other geothermal features, was the world's first National Park. Visit geysers such as Old Faithful, White Dome Geyser, and Lone Star Geyser. Hike the Artists Paint Pot Trail, the Natural Bridge Trail, or the Duck Lake Trail.
The Pacific Coast
Visit the Pacific Coast at the cities of Santa Cruz and Crescent City in California. The Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz and Crescent Beach at Crescent City are popular swimming spots. Near Santa Cruz, California Highway 1 accesses spectacular views of cliffs that drop to the water's edge. The giant Redwood Forests cover the mountains south of Crescent City.
The Atlantic Coast
See also a stretch of the beach on the Atlantic Coast at the town called St. Augustine Beach in Florida. At Savannah, Georgia, you can also take a walk along an old railroad grade turned into a nature path that parallels the Savannah River near its mouth.
For More Information
The United States' official website can be found at www.USA.gov. Wikipedia's United States article also provides a summary of general information.
