Overview of the United States of America
The United States of America is one of the most well-known countries on the planet and is a land of staggering diversity: landscapes, people, cultures and more hit every part of the spectrum and no matter what you are passionate about or what you enjoy seeing and doing, there is bound to be something, somewhere in the USA that will meet your needs. From teeming cities full of people to quiet countryside vistas, the United States has it all. It’s next to impossible to see the entire United States as there are so many nooks and crannies of American culture that deserve attention and so little time to travel through it all. Here’s a brief overview of the regions of this immense country so you can start to get a feel for the culture and personality of each region.
The West Coast
When you travel to the USA’s West Coast you’ll discover the laidback, outdoorsy charm of the states nestled along the coastline. The Pacific Coast is home to some gems like Hollywood, Santa Barbara, Big Sur, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland and even the Mount St. Helens volcano. There are world-renowned wineries in Northern California, flashy celebrity culture in Los Angeles, flawless beaches up and down the coast, imposing and incredible national parks and forests in California, parks, markets and museums in Seattle and an artistic and bohemian vibe in Portland.
Venturing off the coastline and a little more inland is the always-exciting, always-awake city of Las Vegas where magic happens, and people let off steam by gambling, taking in shows, dining on incredible cuisine and generally partying until beyond dawn. In a place where the weather is always nice, the people are friendly and the scenery is like something off a postcard, it isn’t hard to see the appeal of travelling to the West Coast of the United States.
The East Coast
The East Coast of the United States is made up of many smaller states than the three big states you’ll see on the West Coast and the region can be broken down even further into New England and the Mid-Atlantic. New England is chock full of interesting history, high culture, fresh seafood and plenty of outdoor adventures. The history of New England is the history of the United States, after all. It’s where the first settlers came to rest and where the minutemen fought for American independence. Progressive thinkers, daring dreamers and dynamic leaders all started their careers in New England and to this day New England remains a progressive and exciting region to visit.
The Mid-Atlantic is home to the United States’ capital, Washington, D.C. and perhaps the most popular destination within the entire country, New York City. There is art and culture and politics and ambition and contrast. From shimmering city lights to the rolling hills of the countryside and from the busy seashores to the unhindered wilderness in the Appalachian Mountains, the Mid-Atlantic has unparalleled attractions for visitors to enjoy.
The South
The South of the USA might have the most developed and clearly articulated culture and identity of anywhere else in the country. There is a strong sense of national pride, where families hang American flags in front of their house year round, a relaxed and unique way of speaking, a complicated and charged political history and a strong sense of community that crosses state lines and envelops all of the southern states. There are big cosmopolitan cities full of modern attractions like Atlanta, Georgia, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Houston, Texas. In the South for every bustling city centre, there is a sleepy, historic city of incredible importance to match it. Head to New Orleans for an experience unlike any other or to Savannah for a celebration of history, local cultural traditions and a humble gentility that just doesn’t exist in other parts of the United States.
The Midwest
Perhaps the most consistent region in all of the United States, the Midwest and Plains are often overlooked by travellers and Americans alike. The region is generally flat as a board and used for farming purposes. While driving through the area might have you believe that the entire surface of the Midwest is covered in wheat and barley and corn, don’t fret, there is plenty more about the Midwest to capture and hold your attention. Check out the incomparable Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, the Black Hills National Park, and the Washita Mountains for your dose of natural attractions and then visit the Cherokee Heritage Center in Oklahoma, where you can learn extensively about Native America. There is a raw, frontier vibe that comes from the Midwest, and it’s no wonder why, when this area was founded and developed by true cowboys learning how to handle the land. Head to St. Louis, Chicago, or Kansas City for your big-city experiences and enjoy all the small towns that pepper the roads in between.
Seasonality
The USA is a vast, sprawling country of extremes—especially when it comes to weather and climate. There isn’t one golden rule for what the temperature will be all over the country, although the seasons tend to be fairly reliable. Places down south like Texas, Florida and Louisiana all tend to stay warmer throughout the year, while places up north like Maine, Michigan and Montana tend to experience harsh, long winters. A general rule for temperature in the United States: The northern states range from mild to freezing and the southern states range from mild, warm to extremely hot.
Keep in mind that hurricane season is also in effect for much of the east coast and southern coast from June through November, so if you are travelling during those times, you may want to consider purchasing a travel insurance policy with cancellation cover to be prepared for unforeseen weather events.
Travel Considerations
The United States introduced heightened security screening for passengers from some countries in July 2014. If you have a direct flight to the US, you should allow extra time for extended screenings and luggage checks at your airport of departure, and make sure electronic devices, including mobile phones, can be powered on. Powerless devices will not be allowed on planes.