Vocabulary. to be located on -- быть расположенным

to be located on -- быть расположенным

to border on – граничить с

both … and – как... так и

as well as –так же как

to comprise – включать

government – правительство

to levy a tax – взимать налог

at one's disposal – в чьем-л. распоряжении

a large amount of – большое количество

to exercise powers – применять власть

to maintain -- поддерживать

to issue laws – издавать законы

legislature – законодательная власть, законодательный орган штата (амер.)

under the Constitution – согласно конституции

to consist of – состоять из

judicial power – судебная власть

to vest – наделять (правом), давать права, облекать правом (in, with - чем-л.)

however – однако

cattle-breeding – животноводческий

oil well – нефтяная скважина

The U.S.A. is located on the continent of North America. It borders on both Canada and Mexico and has coasts on both the North Pacific and the North Atlantic Ocean. It is the fourth largest country in the world, covering about 9.3 million square kilometers (although in America they don't use the metric system). The population of the U.S.A. is about 300 million. The U.S.A is a country of immigrants who have come from Europe as well as from almost every other part of the world. The U.S.A is a federal republic with a very strong democratic tradition. The USA comprises 50 states and one district where the capital is situated. The capital is the city of Washington (District of Columbia). Each of the states has a government of its own. State governments have a large amount of power and independence; they can issue their own laws and levy taxes on their people. They also maintain a state police force, the education system, the prison system, road building, exercise all the powers of government not expressly given to Washington. The governers of the states even have military forces (a "militia") at their own disposal to defend the state's independence.

The thirteen united states of America won their independence from the British crown on October 19,1781, but they did not decide to join together as one country until the U.S. Constitution was adopted by Congress on September 17, 1787 in the city of Philadelphia. And the Constitution did not become effective until ratified by nine states, which happened on June 21, 1988. The first state to ratify the constitution was Deleware, the last was New Hampshire. The other four states didn't join the union until later. The chief of the nation and the Head of the Government is the President, who is elected every four years by the electoral college, whose members are chosen in the same manner as the national legislature. The legislative body is the bicameral Congress, consisting of the Senate (with 100 members, two from each state) and the House of Representatives (with 435 members elected by a locality within each state, with each state having the same share of members as it has share of the national population). The judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court (with nine members appointed by the president, approved by the Senate and serving a life term).

The climate of the country varies greatly, from severe arctic in Alaska to tropical in Hawaii. The climate along the Pacific coast is, however, much warmer than that of the Atlantic coast. Some of the major rivers are the Missisipi, the Missouri, the Rio-Grande and the Columbia. Bordering on Canada there is the chain of Great Lakes, which are famous for their depth, purity and magnificent landscapes. U.S. natural conditions are favourable for farming. Historically, the midwestern region of the country has been mainly agricultural, whereas the mountaineous West has always been known as a cattle-breeding area. The USA is the most highly developed industrial country in the world. Most of its industries are based on advanced scientific technologies. Aircraft, armament, car production, chemical industries and electrical engineering are among them. The USA is also the world’s leading producer of iron ore and coal.

Eight American cities have populations over one million. In order of size from largest to smallest they are: New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, San Diego, Detroit and Dallas. New York City is famous for high culture (symphony, an museums, ballet, орera, theater etc.). Los Angeles is famous for perfect weather and for Hollywood, land of movie stars. Chicago is famous for strong winds, hard winters, and delicious inexpensive food, especially sausages and hot dogs. Houston and Dallas are famous for oil wells, strange accents and cowboys. Philadelphia is famous for being the center of the American revolution. San Diego is famous as the fastest growing city in America. Detroit is famous for Motown rock & roll music and for making cars and breakfast cereals. The oldest city in America is Boston, which was founded in the year 1620. Not one of these cities is the capital of the state where it is located.

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