Your guide to being an expatriate in United States

Demographics of United States:

Religion Overview

The US is an intensely religious society, with Christianity being the dominant religion. The 2019 Pew Research Center survey revealed that 65% of the population identified as Christian, with Protestantism (43%) being the largest denomination, followed by Roman Catholicism (23%). A significant number of people also practice Judaism, Buddhism, and Islam.

Major Religions

Climate

The US has a highly varied climate, reflecting its geographical size and diverse terrain. The north experiences four seasons, while the central part is known as the 'breadbasket' because of its fertile farmlands. The drier areas in the southwest and mountainous regions in the west, including Alaska and Hawaii, have a semi-arid or arid climate. The west and east coasts, including Florida in the southeast, are characterized by temperate climates.

Economy Overview

The US is the world's largest economy, with a nominal GDP of USD 20.84 trillion in 2021. The US economy is highly diversified, driven by a range of sectors, including finance, healthcare, technology, and services. The United States is also the global leader in research and development, with cutting-edge innovations in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy.

Key Industries

• Finance
• Retail
• Real Estate
• Healthcare
• Media/Entertainment
• Construction
• Education
• Manufacturing
• Technology
• Energy/Utilities
• Engineering Services

Major Companies

• Microsoft
• Amazon
• Apple
• Alphabet (Google)
• Facebook
• Tesla
• Walmart
• ExxonMobil
• Dell Technologies
• Ford Motor

Culture and Language Overview

The US is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, characterized by a diverse array of cultural traditions encompassing history, mythology, music, dance, food, arts, and crafts, all of which reflect the country's multi-ethnic and multi-cultural milieu. Some of the popular cultural celebrations and festivals include Independence Day (4th of July), Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and St. Patrick's Day. Significant landmarks include the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, the Space Needle, Niagara Falls, and Grand Canyon.

Cultural Highlights

• Onion Rings
• Cheeseburger
• Fried Chicken
• Apple Pie
• Thanksgiving Turkey
• Mac and Cheese
• Corn Dogs
• Hot Dogs
• Pecan Pies
• BBQ Sauce
• Cowboys and Cowgirls
• Sunday Football
• American Football
• Baseball

Geography and Landmarks Overview

The US has a unique geography, spanning a vast expanse of continental, coastal, and mountainous regions, punctuated by numerous topographical features, such as forests, wetlands, plateaus, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, canyons, and volcanoes. Some of the iconic landmarks include the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, Yosemite, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone National Parks, Golden Gate Bridge, Statue of Liberty, in addition to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, St. Patrick's Day Parade

Notable Landmarks

• Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
• Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
• Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
• Zion National Park, Utah
• The White House, Washington D.C.
• The United States Capitol, Washington D.C.
• The Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C.
• The Statue of Liberty, New York
• The Empire State Building, New York
• The Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
• The Golden Gate Bridge, California
• The USS Arizona Memorial, Hawaii
• The Space Needle, Seattle
• The Gateway Arch, St. Louis
• The Fountains of Bellagio, Las Vegas
• The Niagara Falls, New York and Ontario
• The Alamo Mission, Texas
• The Atlanta Botanical Garden, Georgia
• The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, Missouri
• The Minneopa State Park, Minnesota
• The Missouri Botanical Garden, Missouri
• The Fort Worth Botanic Garden, Texas
• The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Texas
• The San Antonio River Walk, Texas
• The Santa Barbara Mission, California
• The Silver City Galleries of the Arts, New York
• The Stone Ridge Cave, Indiana
• The International Peace Garden, North Dakota and Manitoba
• The World's Largest Ball of Twine, Kansas
• The World's Largest Pistachio, New Mexico
• The World's Largest Rocking Chair, Oradell, New Jersey
• The World's Largest Cowboy Boots, San Antonio, Texas
• The World's Tallest Indian Statue, North Carolina
• The World's Tallest Hat, Shell, Wyoming
• The World's Tallest Thermometer, Baker, California

National Holidays

• New Year's Day (January 1)
• Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. (Third Monday in January)
• Washington's Birthday (Third Monday in February)
• Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
• Independence Day (July 4)
• Labor Day (First Monday in September)
• Columbus Day (Second Monday in October)
• Veterans Day (November 11)
• Thanksgiving Day (Fourth Thursday in November)
• Christmas Day (December 25)
• New Year's Eve (December 31)

Political Stability

The US enjoys a long tradition of political stability stemming from its democratic political system, decentralized governance structure, and strong institutions. The federal system is divided into 50 states, each enjoying considerable autonomy in matters of local administration and governance, followed by Territorial governance in the outlying areas. The US government is also known for its strong respect for the rule of law, human rights, and the functioning of independent judiciary.