2. OUTLINE:OUTLINE:
American Regional Geography
Location of the USA
Map of the USA
Time Zones
50 States (Abbreviation & Capitals)
The US Culture
The US Government
The American People
Basics in American Culture
American Idioms, Sayings and Slang
The Role of Family in American Culture
American Holidays
How American Communicate to each other
Relevant Laws
3. What is the need for a course inWhat is the need for a course in
American Culture and Geography?American Culture and Geography?
• To familiarize students with American Culture
and Geography in order that they may
understand the immense land area which
involves geographical regions, regional
characteristics, time zones, and other subtle
cultural diversities.
4.
5. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• Often referred to as USA, America,
United States or simply just US.
• Named after the Italian Amerigo Vespucci.
• Discovered by Christopher Columbus
in October 12, 1492.
• Consists of 50 states including the adjacent
states of Alaska and Hawaii.
INTRODUCTION
American Culture & Geography
6. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• Independence was recognized after the
signing of the treaty of Paris in 1783.
• The triumph of America in world wars, it’s
growing economy, influence in
international affairs and its technological
advancements make it the world’s most
powerful nation-state.
INTRODUCTION
American Culture & Geography
7. LANGUAGES:
English, Spanish (spoken by a sizable
minority)
LITERACY:
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 97%
Protestant 56%, Roman Catholic 28%, Jewish 2%,
other 4%, none 10% (1989).
RELIGIONS:
PEOPLE
American Culture & Geography
8. Climate
All four seasons occur in several parts of the country: Winter
(November to March), Spring (March to June), Summer (June to
September) and Fall (September to November).
Temperate, tropical weather in the southern region of the US and
Hawaii.
Cold winters in Alaska and the northern region of the mainland.
9. Comparative AreaComparative Area
(in square miles)(in square miles)
– Russia – 6,591,027
– Canada – 3,850,790
– United States – 3,717,522
– China – 3,704,427
– India – 1,269,010
– Japan – 145,844
– Germany - 137,767
– Italy – 116,275
– Philippines –115,800
12. US TIME ZONES
1:PM 2:PM 3:PM 4:PM 5:PM 6:PM
Hawaii Alaska
DST
Pacific
DST
Mountain
DST
Central
DST
Eastern
DST
1pm 2pm 4pm 5pm 6pm 7pm
Standard time – Nov to Mar
Daylight savings time – April to Oct
13. US Time ZonesUS Time Zones
The United States uses eight time zones.
From east to west they are the :
• Atlantic Standard Time (AST)
• Eastern Standard Time (EST)
• Central Standard Time (CST)
• Mountain Standard Time (MST)
• Pacific Standard Time (PST)
• Alaskan Standard Time (AST)
• Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HST)
14. DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
American Culture & Geography
• Known as DST
• Called “Summer Time” in some parts of
the world
• It maximizes the use of sunlight
• It helps save energy
• Help prevents accidents
15. Daylight Saving TimeDaylight Saving Time
• Daylight Saving Time begins at 2:00 a.m. local
time on the first Sunday in April. On the last
Sunday in October areas on Daylight Saving
Time return to Standard Time at 2:00 a.m.
• The names in each time zone change along with
Daylight Saving Time. Eastern Standard Time
(EST) becomes Eastern Daylight Time (EDT),
and so forth.
• Arizona, parts of Indiana, Puerto Rico, Hawaii,
U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa do not
observe Daylight Saving Time.
17. Alabama (AL) – Montgomery
Alaska (AK) – Juneau
Arizona (AZ) – Phoenix
Arkansas (AR) – Little Rock
California (CA) – Sacramento
Colorado (CO) – Denver
Connecticut (CT) – Hartford
Delaware (DE) – Dover
Florida (FL) – Tallahassee
Georgia (GA) – Atlanta
Hawaii (HI) – Honolulu
Idaho (ID) – Boise
Illinois (IL) – Springfield
Indiana (IN) – Indianapolis
The 50 States and Capitals of the U.S.A.
Iowa (IA) – Des Moines
Kansas (KS) – Topeka
Kentucky (KY) – Frankfort
Louisiana (LA) – Baton Rouge
Maine (ME) – Augusta
Maryland (MD) – Annapolis
Massachusetts (MA) – Boston
Michigan (MI) – Lansing
Minnesota (MN) – St. Paul
Mississippi (MS) - Jackson
Missouri (MO) – Jefferson
City
Montana (MT) – Helena
18. The 50 States and Capitals of the U.S.A.
Nebraska (NE) – Lincoln
Nevada (NV) – Carson City
New Hampshire (NH) – Concord
New Jersey (NJ) – Trenton
New Mexico (NM) – Santa Fe
New York (NY) – Albany
North Carolina (NC) – Raleigh
North Dakota (ND) – Bismarck
Ohio (OH) – Columbus
Oklahoma (OK) – Oklahoma City
Oregon (OR) – Salem
Pennsylvania (PA) – Harrisburg
Rhode Island (RI) – Providence
South Carolina (SC) - Columbia
South Dakota (SD) – Pierre
Tennessee (TN) – Nashville
Texas (TX) – Austin
Utah (UT) – Salt Lake City
Vermont (VT) - Montpelier
Virginia (VA) – Richmond
Washington (WA) –
Olympia
West Virginia (WV) –
Charleston
Wisconsin (WI) – Madison
Wyoming (WY) – Cheyenne
Capital: Washington D.C.
(District of Columbia)
19. The Capital of the USA:The Capital of the USA:
Washington D.C. (District of Columbia)Washington D.C. (District of Columbia)
Washington D.C. is the capital of the United States of America.
The seat of government is here, within Capitol Hill and the
White House (The official residence of the President of the
United States of America).
Within these States: Maryland and Virginia
Attractions: The White House; Washington Monument
Jefferson Memorial; Lincoln Memorial
JFK Performing Arts Center; Capitol Hill
The Smithsonian Institute; The Vietnam
Memorial
20. United States Government
FEDERAL:
Governs the country as a whole and makes the laws that
the entire country abides.
STATE:
Governs the state. The governor is the highest ranking
official in this government. It acts as a government on its
own, as a state, but it still falls under certain rules and
regulations under the federal government. It has a
system just like the federal government but works at a
local level.
21. United States Government (cont.)
The Three Branches of the American Government
LEGISLATIVE – Known as Congress, it consists of the Senate and the
House of Representatives. It’s responsibility is to propose and pass
laws. In the system of checks and balances, Congress can refuse to
approve Presidential appointments.
EXECUTIVE – This branch consists of the President of the United
States of America, the Vice President, the cabinet and the thirteen
departments and independent agencies. It’s responsibility is to enforce
laws.
JUDICIAL – It consists of the Supreme (highest) Court, 11 Circuit of
Appeals and 94 District Courts. This branch explains and interprets
laws. It has power over the other two branches because it can declare
laws and actions unconstitutional.
22. Famous U.S. Presidents
George Washington
Abraham Lincoln
Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Harry Truman
Dwight D. Eisenhower
John F. Kennedy
Richard M. Nixon
Lyndon B. Johnson
Ronald Reagan
William J. Clinton
George Bush
George W. Bush
These are just a few of the past 42 presidents of the
USA
24. “Real Life” in America
• American Values
• Family Myths and Truths
• Education
• Money Matters
• Holidays
• Dining Habits
• Transportation
• Shopping
• Telephones
25. AMERICAN VALUES
• Individualism
• Freedom
• Equality
• Achievement and Success
• Involvement and Activity
• Progress
• Efficiency and Practicality
• Pursuit of Happiness
• Privacy
26. In a Nutshell
- that all people are equal and deserve an equal
opportunity in life.
- that everyone is free to be an individual.
- that competition brings out the best in people and in
businesses.
- that change is good and necessary. It brings about
progress and improvement.
- that it is best of be honest and direct.
Americans Believe:
27. In Another Nutshell
Americans Love:
- their country. Americans are very patriotic.
- their free time. Americans may not have much free
time compared to people in some countries, but they
value what they have.
- the outdoors. The US government protects large
sections of land from development and preserves
them for their enjoyment of all.
- sports. The US probably has more professional
athletes participating in a greater number of
professional sports than any other country.
29. HOLIDAYS
New Years Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – 3rd
Monday of January
The world was shocked when Dr. King was assassinated in 1968. Ever
since, special memorial services have marked his birthday on
January 15.
President’s Day - 3rd
Monday of February
In the 1970s, Congress declared that in order to honor all past
presidents of the United States, a single holiday, to be called
Presidents' Day, would be observed on the third Monday in
February.
30. HOLIDAYS
Memorial Day – last Monday of May
Memorial Day is a day for families and individuals to honor the
memories of their loved ones who have died. Church services,
visits to the cemetery, flowers on graves or even silent tribute
mark the day with dignity and solemnity.
This day also signals the beginning of summer with a three-day
weekend to spend at the beach, in the mountains or at home
relaxing.
Independence Day – 4th
of July
Independence Day is regarded as the birthday of the United States
as a free and independent nation. Most Americans simply call it
the "Fourth of July." It is a day of picnics and patriotic parades, a
night of concerts and fireworks. The flying of the American flag is
widespread.
31. HOLIDAYS
Labor Day – 1st
Monday of September
Its purpose is to honor the nation's working people. In
many cities the day is marked by parades of working
people representing the labor unions.
Most Americans consider Labor Day the end of the
summer, and the beaches and other popular resort
areas are packed with people enjoying one last three-
day weekend.
For many students it marks the opening of the school
year.
32. HOLIDAYS
Columbus day – 2nd Monday of October
This day commemorates Italian navigator Christopher
Columbus' landing in the New World on October 12, 1492.
Most nations of the Americas observe this holiday on
October 12, but in the United States, annual observances
take place on the second Monday in October. The major
celebration of the day takes place in New York City, which
holds a huge parade each year.
Veteran’s Day - 2nd Monday of November
It honors veterans of all wars in which the United States has
fought.
33. Thanksgiving – 4th Thursday of November
The holiday dates back to 1621, the year after the Puritans
arrived in Massachusetts. After a rough winter, in which
about half of them died, they turned for help to
neighboring Indians, who taught them how to plant corn
and other crops. The next fall's bountiful harvest
inspired the Pilgrims to give thanks by holding a feast.
To this day, Thanksgiving dinner almost always includes
some of the foods served at the first feast: roast turkey,
cranberry sauce, potatoes, pumpkin pie. Before the
meal begins, families or friends usually pause to give
thanks for their blessings, including the joy of being
united for the occasion.
HOLIDAYS
34. Some U.S. Symbols
The Flag of the
United States of
America
The Liberty
Bell
The Bald Eagle
The Statue
of Liberty
39. Call the shots – to be in control
Chicken – usually a coward
Clown around – to fool around, be silly
Cry over spilled milk – to cry or worry about something that really doesn’t
matter
Down in the dumps - to be sad and gloomy
Dead to the world – to be fast asleep
Spaced out – to be deep in thought
Eager Beaver – someone who is eager to work
All thumbs – clumsy
Flat broke; broke – to have no money
Skate on thin ice – to be in a very delicate or touchy situation
Straight from the horse’s mouth – directly from the source
Take off – to leave
Basic Americanisms,
Sayings/Statements:
40. Americanisms cont.
Abreast of the times – knowing the latest things which are being done
Blow Over – to pass away without effect
Let bygones be bygones – let past troubles be forgotten
In the long run – as a final result
In a nutshell – in a few words
Off and on – not continuous
Pull a person’s leg – to make a game of him
Silver lining – the hidden bright side
Know the ropes – know the usual methods
Read between the lines – to understand the hidden meaning
The fat is in the fire – the harm is done
Strike the right note – say the appropriate thing
Have no inkling – not even a vague idea
Have elbow room – to have enough room to move freely
Make a mountain out of a molehill – to exaggerate
Make a slip – make a slight mistake
Have a word with somebody – speak to him
Take somebody at his word – act on the belief that he means what he
says
Keep at bay – to ward off troubles and face up to difficulties
Make one’s blood boil – to make one extremely angry
41. Some American ProverbsSome American Proverbs
Better to be safe than sorry!
You have nothing to fear but fear itself.
If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
I think, therefore I am.
Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy,
and wise.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.
Don't bite the hand that feeds you.
No news is good news.
A penny saved is a penny earned.
Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today.
42. Means of CommunicationMeans of Communication
TELEPHONE SYSTEMTELEPHONE SYSTEM
Local Phone System
Long Distance Calling
1-800 numbers
Cellular Phones
Phone Companies
43. Example of a telephone number:
(212)555-1212
Example of an Address:
Mr. John Smith
2800 University Drive
Anaheim, CA 92805
Means of CommunicationMeans of Communication
POSTAL SYSTEMPOSTAL SYSTEM
City
Number &
Street name
7-digit
phone
number
Area Code
State Initial
Zip Code
44. POLITICALLY CORRECT TERMS
American Culture & Geography
These are terms used to replace words that
tend to be offensive to certain groups of
People, gender, race, etc.
