United States (US)
The United States is a federation of 50 states and the District of Columbia spanning six time zones from the Atlantic to the Pacific, plus Alaska and Hawaii.
Country Profile
Everything you need to know before you arrive.
The United States is a federation of 50 states and the District of Columbia spanning six time zones from the Atlantic to the Pacific, plus Alaska and Hawaii. With 335 million residents, it is the third-most populous country on Earth and the world's largest economy. For expats, the US offers unmatched career opportunities in technology, finance, media, and academia, the highest salaries in most white-collar fields, vast geographic and cultural diversity, and a deep-rooted immigrant tradition — roughly 14% of residents were born abroad. On the other hand, newcomers face a healthcare system that is expensive and employer-dependent, complex federal-state taxation, car dependency in most cities, and an immigration process that can take years. Lifestyle varies enormously by region: New York's density and ambition, California's tech and beaches, Texas's cost-friendly boom cities, the Pacific Northwest's outdoor culture, and the Midwest's affordable family living each offer different trade-offs.
Climate
March–May: highly regional. Northeast 5–20°C with late snow possible through March. South 15–28°C warm and humid. Midwest 5–22°C with severe thunderstorm and tornado season (April–June). Pacific Northwest 8–18°C and rainy. Southwest desert 15–30°C, pleasant.
June–August: Northeast 22–32°C humid. South and Southeast 27–38°C with high humidity; hurricane season June–November on Gulf and Atlantic coasts. Southwest desert 35–45°C dry heat. Midwest hot and humid 25–35°C. Pacific Northwest mild 18–27°C, dry. Alaska cool 15–22°C with long daylight.
September–November: New England famous for autumn foliage (peak late Sept to mid-Oct). Most of country pleasant 10–22°C. Hurricane season peaks September on East Coast and Gulf. Southwest stays warm into November.
December–February: Northeast/Midwest/Great Lakes -10 to 5°C with heavy snow; wind chill common. South mild 5–18°C. Florida/Southern California/Arizona 12–25°C — prime "snowbird" season. Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada major ski season with heavy snow. Alaska can hit -40°C inland.
Demographics
Religion
Social Culture & Etiquette
A firm handshake with direct eye contact is the standard business greeting, regardless of gender. First names are used almost immediately in most workplaces — "Mr./Ms. + last name" feels old-fashioned outside the South, academia, and some industries. "How are you?" is a greeting, not a question — respond with "good, you?" and move on. Hugs are common between friends and female colleagues but not first introductions. Small talk about weather, sports, or weekend plans is expected and normal.
Business meetings start on time. Arriving 5 minutes early is normal; 10 minutes late without a message is rude. Social gatherings (dinners, parties) have a 10–15 minute grace period. "East Coast time" is strict; "California casual" allows more flexibility. For appointments (doctor, government), always arrive 15 minutes early with paperwork.
Highly regional and industry-dependent. Tech (West Coast) is jeans and hoodies even at the CEO level. Finance and law (NYC) remain suit-and-tie. Most offices are "business casual" — chinos and a collared shirt. Casual everyday wear is extremely relaxed: sweatpants, yoga pants, and sneakers at supermarkets is normal. Formal dress for weddings, the theatre, and fine dining is still expected.
- ✕ Do not ask people about their income, home value, or rent — considered very rude despite apparent American openness.
- ✕ Do not discuss politics, religion, abortion, guns, or race with new acquaintances — these are deeply polarised topics.
- ✕ Do not touch strangers' children, comment on their appearance, or discipline them — parents react strongly.
- ✕ Do not make jokes about mass shootings, 9/11, or tragedies — Americans react much more severely than Europeans expect.
- ✕ Do not bring homemade food to potlucks without asking about allergies — food allergies are treated very seriously.
- ✕ Do not skip tipping — service workers are paid "tipped wage" ($2.13–$7.25/hr federal) and rely on tips to make minimum wage.
- ✓ Tipping is not optional — 18–20% at sit-down restaurants is the minimum. $1–2 per drink at bars. 15–20% for taxis and ride-shares. $1–5 for valet, hotel bellhops, hairdressers.
- ✓ Small talk with strangers (cashiers, baristas, Uber drivers, elevator neighbours) is expected and friendly. Silence can feel rude.
- ✓ Personal space is larger than in Europe or Asia — 60–90 cm minimum in queues, elevators, and conversations. Avoid touching people you just met.
- ✓ Customer service is generally enthusiastic and smiley — returns are easy, complaints are handled quickly. "The customer is always right" remains cultural doctrine.
- ✓ Credit cards (not debit) are used for large purchases — Americans build credit scores through responsible credit card use. Paying cash for a car or house is unusual and may even seem suspicious.
- ✓ Ice water is standard and free at every restaurant, served before you order. Asking for "tap water" is unnecessary — all US restaurant water is tap. Expect generous glass refills throughout the meal.
- ✓ Doggy bags / to-go containers for leftovers are universal and expected — portion sizes are large and no one is offended if you take half your meal home.
- ✓ Bills are often split by asking the server to "split the check" at payment — possible but cumbersome with more than 4 people; Venmo/Zelle after the fact is more common among younger diners.
🍽️ Traditional Food & Drink
The quintessential American sandwich — ground beef patty grilled and served on a soft bun with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup, and mustard. Regional variations abound: the In-N-Out Double-Double on the West Coast, the Juicy Lucy (cheese stuffed inside) in Minneapolis, the slider (small, steamed) in the Midwest, and the smash burger trend nationwide.
Slow-smoked meat — deeply regional. Texas is beef brisket; Kansas City is saucy ribs and burnt ends; Memphis is dry-rubbed pork ribs; the Carolinas are whole-hog pulled pork with vinegar-based sauce. Sides typically include coleslaw, cornbread, baked beans, mac and cheese, and collard greens.
Double-crust pie with spiced apple filling — an enduring symbol of American home cooking. Often served à la mode (with vanilla ice cream). "As American as apple pie" is the common idiom. Thanksgiving and Fourth of July staple.
Thick cream-based soup with clams, potatoes, onion, and salt pork, originating in Boston. Served in a bread bowl at Boston Harbour and Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. Rhode Island has a clear-broth variant; Manhattan version is tomato-based and widely disputed as "real" chowder.
Louisiana Creole and Cajun stew of shrimp, andouille sausage, chicken, or seafood, thickened with a dark roux, okra, or filé powder, served over rice. Holy Trinity of onion, bell pepper, and celery is the base. Central to New Orleans food culture and Mardi Gras feasts.
Border cuisine born in Texas from Mexican and American ingredients — yellow cheese, cumin-heavy chili gravy, flour tortillas, and fajitas on a sizzling platter. Breakfast tacos (bacon/egg/cheese in a flour tortilla) are an Austin institution. Distinct from traditional Mexican cooking but deeply American.
American whiskey made primarily from corn (51%+), aged in new charred oak barrels. Kentucky is the heartland — Maker's Mark, Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve, and Wild Turkey are classic brands. The Old Fashioned and Mint Julep (Kentucky Derby cocktail) are iconic bourbon drinks.
The US leads the world in craft brewery count (9,000+). Hop-forward IPAs from the West Coast (Sierra Nevada, Stone), stouts from the Pacific Northwest, and sour ales from Colorado define the movement. Every city has multiple local breweries. Pint typically $6–9 at a brewery taproom.
Non-alcoholic sweet carbonated soft drink flavoured with sassafras (historically) or safrole-free substitutes today. A & W, Barq's, and Mug are national brands. Root beer floats (root beer + vanilla ice cream) are an American diner classic and summer nostalgia drink.
📍 Tourist Highlights
One of the Seven Natural Wonders — a 446 km gorge carved by the Colorado River, over a mile deep. South Rim is open year-round; North Rim closes in winter. Hike down to Phantom Ranch, helicopter tours, and IMAX visitor centre. Best visited spring or autumn to avoid crushing summer crowds and heat.
Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building, Broadway shows, and the Statue of Liberty + Ellis Island (ferry from Battery Park, book tickets weeks ahead). Add the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the 9/11 Memorial. A week barely scratches the surface.
America's first national park (1872) — Old Faithful geyser, Grand Prismatic Spring, bison herds, wolves, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Spans Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Lodges book up a year in advance; visit May–September for full road access.
Cable cars, Alcatraz Island (book tickets weeks ahead), Fisherman's Wharf, the Painted Ladies, and foggy drives across the Golden Gate into the Marin Headlands. Gateway to Napa wine country and Yosemite. Weather mild year-round; summer fog is legendary.
The most culturally distinctive American city — Creole and Cajun cuisine (gumbo, jambalaya, beignets at Café du Monde), live jazz on Frenchmen Street, Mardi Gras parades (February–March), and plantation/swamp tours. Walkable French Quarter with Spanish-colonial architecture.
📖 Brief History
The thirteen British colonies declared independence in 1776 and ratified the Constitution in 1788, creating a federal republic that has since expanded across the continent through purchase, treaty, and conquest. The 19th century brought rapid westward expansion, the Civil War (1861–1865) that ended slavery and reshaped federal power, and mass immigration from Europe. The 20th century saw the US emerge from two World Wars as a global superpower, navigate the Cold War against the Soviet Union, and lead the civil rights movement that dismantled legal racial segregation. The post-1965 Hart–Celler Act opened immigration beyond Northern Europe, transforming the country's demographics. Silicon Valley's rise from the 1970s onward made the US the undisputed centre of the global technology industry. The 2000s brought the 9/11 attacks, the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, the 2008 financial crisis, and later the COVID-19 pandemic. Today the country navigates political polarisation, debates over immigration, healthcare, and climate policy, and continues to be the world's largest destination for international migrants.