USA

Population

According to the US Census Bureau's population clock, the estimated United States population is 327.16 million.

Main Cities

New York, Los Angles, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, San Jose

Transport

The United States has a variety of freeway and highway systems, multiple large international airports as well as an extensive freight rail network. As the largest developed nation, the U.S. is home to more roadways than any other country in the world. While mass transit systems are common place in some large cities, these systems tend to be less extensive than in other developed nations.

Culture & Multiculturism

The United States is a diverse and multicultural nation, home to a wide variety of ideologies, customs and ethnic groups. An important component of American culture is the American Dream: the idea that, through hard work, courage, and determination, regardless of social class, a person can gain a better life.

Education System

Graduate School

Students who have obtained a bachelor's degree can continue their education by pursuing a Master's degree. This is usually a two-year degree that is highly specialized in a specific field. Admission to a graduate program usually requires a minimum of 15 or 16 years of formal education. That is, 12 years of primary and secondary schooling and further 3 or 4 years of college education. This depends on the course and the requirements of the University that they intend to study at.

Students who want to advance their education even further in a specific field can pursue a doctorate degree, also called a PhD. A PhD degree can take between three and six years to complete, depending on the course of study chosen, the ability of the student, and the thesis that the student has selected.

Undergraduate School

Students who have completed high school and would like to attend college or university must attend what is referred to as an undergraduate school. These are schools that offer either a two-year degree (called an associate degree) or a four-year degree (called a bachelors degree) in a specific course of study. That course of study is called the major. While most schools that offer a four-year degree will admit students who have not yet chosen a major, all students are required to select (or declare) a major by their second year at school. Students who complete an associate degree can continue their education at a four-year school and eventually complete a bachelor degree.

Secondary School

Upon completion of fifth grade (the last year of primary school), children enrolled in the American education system advance to secondary school. Secondary school most commonly consists of a total of seven years, referred to as sixth through twelfth grades. The ninth through twelfth grades are most commonly referred to as high school. Upon completion of twelfth grade, American students are awarded a certificate called the high school diploma.

Primary School

American children start school at the age of five years. The first year at school is called kindergarten. It is required of all American children enrolled in the American education system. The second year at school is considered the first year of primary school and is referred to as first grade.