homework encyclopedia

WHY IS THE USA SO POWERFUL?

The economic strength and wealth of the USA have

made it the most powerful nation on Earth. It uses

its huge wealth to maintain vast armed services and

employ the latest military technology, making it the

world’s only superpower. US companies dominate

the international economy, while American popular

music and films have a major impact on global culture.

WHY DO ROCKETS BLAST OFF FROM FLORIDA?

NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space

Administration) blasts its rockets, shuttles, and

satellites into space from Cape Canaveral on the

east coast of Florida. The site was chosen because

it enjoys year-round good weather, and its remoteness

means that few people are disturbed by the noise

of a launch.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE MISSISSIPPI FLOODS?

The flooding of the Mississippi inundates farmland and

towns, kills livestock, and causes huge financial losses.

Intensive cultivation and deforestation have worsened the

problem. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina destroyed the levees

(dykes) protecting New Orleans, Louisiana, and the river

flooded 80 per cent of the city, causing great loss of life.

WHAT IS THANKSGIVING?

The first Thanksgiving feast was held in 1621 as a

gesture of friendship between the Pilgrim Fathers

(immigrants from England) and American Indians,

after their first successful joint harvest. Ever since,

Americans have celebrated Thanksgiving in November

with a traditional meal of turkey and other food.

THE CAPITOL, WASHINGTON, D.C. 1

The Capitol in Washington, D.C. is the home of Congress, the US legislature, or parliament. Congressmen

and senators represent every state and region of the USA and meet to pass laws and oversee the

president and Supreme Court. The president of the USA lives a short distance away on Pennsylvania

Avenue in the White House.

FIND OUT MORE. American Revolution 414 • Colonial America 409 • Space Shuttle 32

SHUTTLE, FLORIDA 3
The Kennedy Space
Center at Cape Canaveral,
Florida, is the launch site
for the space shuttle and
the rest of the US space
programme. Staff have
to check the runway for
stray alligators and
bobcats before the
shuttle can land safely
after its mission.

NEW YORK YANKEES 3

Major League baseball teams such

as the New York Yankees have a

huge following throughout the

country. The game is one of the

most popular spectator sports in

the USA, along with American

football and basketball.

1 THE GREAT LAKES

The five Great Lakes–Superior,

Michigan, Huron, Ontario, and

Erie–mark the border between

the USA and Canada. The lakes

are linked by the St Lawrence

Seaway to the Atlantic Ocean, so

cargo can be carried far inland.

Capital city: Washington,

D.C.

Area: 9,629,091 sq km

(3,717,792 sq miles)

Population: 310 million

Dominant language: English

Major religion: Protestant

Currency: US dollar

Space

shuttle,

or orbiter,

has three

main engines

and carries

seven crew

members

External

fuel tank

and solid

rocket

booster lift

shuttle into

space USA

eastern US