Short geography lesson of the United States

The United States of America consists 50 divide states, 16 territories, and a federal district. The country borders the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans, which lay to either side and feature in the backdrops of many famous cities. It's neighboring counties are Canada and Mexico, with Canada to the North and Mexico to the South. The country has a very varied topography, and is the third largest country in the world by area at 9,826,675 km squared. The eastern part of the United States features a wide array of hills and low mountains. Moving into the central part of the country, vast plain stretches out for miles. This region is called the Great Plains region. To the west of the country, more rugged mountain range spreads out along the landscape, and some are volcanic in the Pacific Northwest. Alaska, which shares a border with Canadian province Yukon, has a much colder temperature with rugged mountains and river valleys. Hawaii lays in the central Pacific Ocean, and consists mainly of volcanic topography.

With this wide array of geographical features, the United States has a lot of landmarks to offer, and many of these have turned famous over the years as more tourists give them attention. No matter where you turn, you'll probably run into some kind of landmark.

The eastern part of the United States is home to Boston and Philadelphia, which were some of the first cities to be named after the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. While this part of the country is home to the nation's early historical memories, it is also very modernized and features the country's most animate cities. New York City, in particular, is bursting with life at nearly every street corner, and has become an extremely popular tourist attraction. With landmarks, Broadway shows, luxurious restaurants and plenty of opportunities for shopping, New York City is the place to visit that most people mark down on their bucket list. Boston and Philadelphia give tourists a look at the historical aspects of the east coast, while New York gives a look at the "Big City" and the culture of the United States.

Moving to the Western part of the country, Hollywood in California becomes a bustling city for entertainers, actors and travelers. The West features mountain ranges and is home to the states of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. They are all considered mountain states due to their proximity with the mountains. The Pacific states also comprise the West, including Alaska, California, Hawaii, and Oregon. Washington, DC is a popular city that gets a lot of tourist attention as it is the nation's capital. Home to 190 180 foreign embassies and consulates, this city is worth checking out if you are interested in the politics and government side of the United States.

California consists of beaches and sunny weather, home to the bustling cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco, as well as Disneyland. The archipelago of Hawaii are as far west as you can go, with volcanic land and stretches of sandy beaches. The Aloha State lures millions of travelers year after year. Las Vegas is another popular city in the Western States, nestled in the state of Nevada. The city is lit up with neon signs and bright lights, the streets lined with restaurants and casinos, giving tourists the opportunity to make money gambling.

The Southwest part of the States is home to Native American culutures and the glorious expanse of the Grand Canyon, one of the country's most beautiful natural features. Moving to the Pacific Northwest, Seattle and Portland contribute to the economic centre of this region. Mount Rainier and Mount Hood are two mountains that give the natural part of this region some life, close to the beautiful Trillium Lake.

The South part of the United States is home to a different type of geography, and also a different way of life including music, cuisine, and friendly people. Atlanta, Charlotte, Austin and Tampa are the largest cities of this region, and are visited by millions of tourists each year. New Orleans is also a popular city in the South, as well as major cities in Tennessee and Kentucky such as Nashville, Memphis and Louisville. Texas experiences a hotter climate as it is close to the border of Mexico, and is rich with Southwestern culture.

The United States is rich with city life and also with natural geography. The western part of the country is home to extensive mountain range and famous lakes. Mount McKinley in Alaska is one of the most notable, and many climbers attempt to reach the top every year. Mount Rainier is another ginormous mountain, situated outside of Washington's Seattle. Mount Shasta is located at the southern end of the Cascade Range in Siskiyou County, California, and is bubbling to the brim with magma. The Cascade Range is perhaps the most notable range of volcanic mountains in California. The state of Colorado consists of 54 mountain summits that are over 14,000 feet, and Longs Peak is the one that gets the most attention from explorers. There are plenty more mountain ranges that make up the geography of the United States, varying from the volcanic lands of the Pacific to the icy tops of Alaska and Northwestern states.

The United States also shares the five Great Lakes with Canada in it's Northeastern region. Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, Lake Superior and Lake Huron make up the five Great Lakes, and are some of the largest lakes in the world, with Lake Superior being the largest. Lake Superior shares borders with both Ontario in Canada and Minnesota in the United States, with Ontario lying to it's north and Minnesota lying to its west, as well as Wisconsin and Michigan underneath.

The United States of America is home to beautiful landscape and bustling cities that are animated by the activity of city dwellers and tourists. Lakes, mountains, and the large cities rich with culture and life all make the United States the country that it is today and one that many tourists seek out, wishing to explore it's diverse and expansive geography.