The United States of America ("USA," "US," "United States," "America," or simply "the States") is a large country in central and north-western North America. The U.S. also includes several Pacific islands (primarily represented by the state of Hawaii) and an unincorporated Caribbean territory (the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico).

The most powerful and wealthy nation on earth and third largest in territory and people, it has a mixture of densely-populated urban areas with wide areas of low population and incredible natural beauty.

With a history of mass immigration dating from the 17th century, the U.S. prides itself on its "melting pot" of different cultures from around the globe. Even the briefest visit to the United States is a study in contrasts.

The United States has over 10,000 cities, towns, and villages. The following is a list of nine of the most notable.

• Washington (D.C.) - The national capital, home to the United States' most grand public buildings as well as a thriving multi-cultural community.
• Boston - The capital of Massachusetts retains much of its colonial charm, but is kept young by its multitudes of students.
• Chicago - The "Windy City", bustling heart of the Midwest, transportation hub of the nation, notable for its large number of architectural gems and massive skyscrapers.
• Los Angeles - The home of Hollywood and the film industry, palm-fringed Los Angeles offers mountains, beaches, sunshine and everything else visitors look to find in California.
• Miami - Miami is home to one of the greatest beaches in the country, and has a mix of sun-seeking northerners and immigrants from Latin America and the Caribbean seeking a chance to make it in the US.
• New Orleans - Despite a devastating hurricane, "the Big Easy" is still famous for its atmospheric French Quarter and annual Mardi Gras celebration.
• New York - The United States' largest city, with world-class cuisine, unparalleled arts offerings, one of the most diverse populations on the planet, and a great many other highlights. Both a symbol of the country and intensely international.
• San Francisco - One of the most photogenic cities in the world, idiosyncratic San Francisco offers a diverse array of attractions, and is a popular gateway to the California coast and Yosemite National Park.
• Seattle - This green and rainy city is known for its trend-setting cultural scene and the business presence of international high-tech giants.

Some of the largest and most famous destinations outside of major cities include The Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, Death Valley, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Glacier National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, among others.

The overall climate is temperate, with notable exceptions. Alaska has Arctic tundra, while Hawaii and Florida are tropical. The Great Plains are dry, flat and grassy, turning into arid desert in the far West.

The primary entry points to the country are:

• From the east New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, Washington, DC and Miami are the primary entry points from Europe and other transatlantic points of departure.
• From the west Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, California are the primary entry points for travelers from Asia and other transpacific points of departure. Several carriers are already offering nonstop flights between South East Asia and New York.
• From the south Miami, Florida is the primary entry point from Latin America, primarily South America. Also, Dallas and Houston are major international waypoints.

The official US currency is the United States dollar or USD (symbol: $), divided into 100 cents (¢). Conversion rates vary daily and are available online. Foreign currencies are almost never accepted.