political system

representative democracy
federal constitutional republic (based on constitution – a supreme legal document),
federation of 50 states + a federal district (Washington D.C.), a few self-governing territories
(Bahamas, Virgin Islands,...)
federal government, governments in individual states, head of each state: governors, different laws
(abortion, death sentence,...)
US Constitution (1788) – amendments

three branches:
Legislative
Congress in the Capitol:
Senate (100 Senators, 6 years, Vice President = the president of the Senate)
House of Representatives (435 Congressmen/women, Democrats, Republicans, 2 years, the Speaker
= the leader of the House of Representatives)
Executive
President (born in the US, lived for the last 14 years before the election, at least 35) – head of
state and government, 4 years, re-elected once
Vice-President, the Cabinet

Judicial
Supreme Court and lower federal courts

economy
a large trading nation, a large importer and exporter
a very influential financial market (New York stock exchange)

USD – the most important of the reserved currencies

raw materials: rich natural resources (oil, natural gas)

agriculture: an exporter of food, fertile Great Plains (Corn Belt)

industry: EVERYTHING

a leader in technological innovation and scientific research