The US is the world's foremost economic and military power. It is also
a major source of entertainment: American TV, Hollywood films, jazz,
blues, rock and rap music are primary ingredients in global popular
culture.
Ethnic and racial diversity - the 'melting pot' - is celebrated as a
core element of the American ideology. The 1964 Civil Rights Act outlawed
racial and other discrimination, but race continues to be a live issue.
The ongoing debate includes topics such as affirmative-action programmes -
intended to remedy past discrimination - and housing segregation.
The US originated in a revolution which separated it from the British
Crown. The constitution, drafted in 1787, established a federal system
with a division of powers even at the central level which, uniquely among
modern nation-states, has remained unchanged in form since its inception.
The early settlers came predominantly from the British Isles. Slaves
from Africa joined them involuntarily in a second wave. Millions of
Europeans constituted a third stage of immigration.
Today, Asians from the Pacific rim and Hispanics from the Americas are
seeking what their predecessors wanted: political freedom and prosperity.
This shift is reflected in America's interests abroad, which are now less
European in focus than ever before.
American foreign policy has often mixed the idealism of its
"mission" with elements of self-interest. The latter is
exemplified in its international record on the environment, which has
attracted criticism, and the need to maintain energy supplies, in which
the US is not self-sufficient.
In September 2001 the US was shaken after three hijacked aircraft were
deliberately crashed into the World Trade Center in New York and the
Defence Department - the Pentagon - in Washington DC, killing thousands of
people. A fourth hijacked aircraft, thought to be headed for Washington
DC, crashed in Pennsylvania, killing all on board.
The attacks had a momentous impact as the country continued to
re-define its role as the world's only superpower. In October 2001 the US
led a military campaign in Afghanistan which unseated the Taleban regime.
In March 2003 Washington initiated military action in Iraq which led to
the toppling of the Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
Despite relative prosperity in recent years, the gap between rich and
poor is a major challenge. More than 30 million Americans live below the
official poverty line, with a disproportionate percentage of these being
African-Americans and Hispanics.
| USA FACTS |
| Population: 291
million (US Census Bureau estimate, 2003) |
| Capital: Washington
D.C. |
| Major language: English |
| Major religion: Christianity |
| Life expectancy: 74
years (men), 80 years (women) (UN) |
| Monetary unit: 1 US
dollar = 100 cents |
| Main exports: Computers
and electrical machinery, vehicles, chemical products, food and
live animals, military equipment and aircraft |
| Average annual income: US
$34,280 (World Bank, 2001) |
| Internet domain: .us |
| International dialling
code: +1 |
President: George W Bush
The Bush presidency was transformed by the 11 September
attacks
|
George W Bush, a Republican, was inaugurated as president in January 2001
after what was one of the most controversial polls for the office ever. He
fought the November 2000 election against the incumbent vice-president, Al
Gore of the Democrats. The final result hinged on the extremely close
count in the state of Florida. Recounts and legal challenges right up to
the Supreme Court meant that Mr Gore conceded to Mr Bush only in
mid-December, several weeks after the votes were cast.
Before the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in New York and
Washington, the president had favoured decreased US involvement in world
"hotspots". But the attacks propelled him in the opposite
direction, and the US took the pre-eminent role in the ensuing military
campaign in Afghanistan.
In 2002 Mr Bush turned his attention to Iraq, accusing Baghdad of
harbouring weapons of mass destruction. The president warned that the US
and its allies would take whatever action was needed to disarm Saddam
Hussein. In March 2003 he announced that US-led military action in Iraq
had started; three weeks into the campaign the Iraqi leader had been
toppled.
Born in 1946, Mr Bush is the son of former president George Bush. He
worked in the energy business and helped to run a baseball franchise
before being elected governor of Texas in 1994. He has described himself
as a "compassionate conservative".
Vice-President: Dick Cheney Secretary of State: Colin Powell Secretary
of Defence: Donald Rumsfeld Attorney-General: John Ashcroft Homeland
Security Secretary: Tom Ridge National Security Adviser: Condoleezza Rice
The US has the most highly-developed mass media in the world.
American-made dramas, comedies, soap operas, animations, music videos and
films have a global audience and are part of the staple fare of
broadcasters worldwide.
Television is America's most popular medium. Three major networks -
ABC, CBS and NBC - dominated the scene for decades until the mass take-up
of cable and satellite and the arrival of the Fox network. Mainstream
American TV is slick, fast-moving and awash with advertising. Audience
ratings and advertising revenues spell life or death for shows; networks
may axe lame ducks after just one season.
There are around 10,000 commercial radio stations in the US. In urban
areas there are stations to satisfy almost every musical taste, language
preference and world-view. News, sports and talk stations predominate on
the mediumwave (AM) dial, with music on the FM band.
Freedom of expression in the US is guaranteed by the constitution, and
some stations give airtime to extreme hues of political - often right-wing
- and religious thinking. Elsewhere, outspoken radio "shock
jocks" push at the boundaries of taste.
American public broadcasting is partly government-funded, but also
supported by private grants. Many universities and colleges operate
broadcasting outlets. National Public Radio - with more than 600 member
stations - offers a more highbrow mix of news, debate and music without
advertising. Public TV services operated by PBS have a mission to provide
"quality" and educational programming.
There are more than 1,500 daily newspapers in the US, most of them with
a local or regional readership.
The US is the home of the internet, but the number of new online
connections is slowing. By early 2002 around 60% of Americans were
estimated to be online.
The press
