The United States of America is often described as a ‘melting pot of cultures’ for a very good reason. Each state has its own distinct culture, and each county has its flavor. Travelling in America can be quite an experience because it will bring you into contact with a diverse range of people, allow you to celebrate different regional cultures and expose you to a variety of landscapes. From the breathtaking Canyons in Arizona to the stunning glaciers of Alaska, the fifty states spanning over 9.8 million kilometers have got your topography all covered.
Diverse landscape and scenic beauty are not the only cards in America’s deck. Visiting the country is an appealing prospect for most tourists because of its rich heritage, profound historical background, and well-established tourist information hubs. In short, United States of America is one of the few places on the face of this planet which have a bit of the bag for everyone.
For history enthusiasts, America has a trove of authentic history museums, for art lovers, it features art exhibits, and for those wishing to camp on the stars, it has well kempt national parks. Go through our USA manual to see what surprises this gorgeous place has in-store for you.
Population:
America has a population of around 323 million people. The most populated state in America is California, and the least populated state is Wyoming. The people belong to a wide range of ethnicities and races. The United States census is a reliable source of official information about the demographics of the country.
According to it, there are six distinct races in America. These include White Americans, African Americans, Native Americans, Alaskan Natives, Asian Americans, Hawaiian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Hispanic or Latino is classified as an ethnic minority. As a result of such a diverse breakdown of ethnicities and races, American culture varies from state to state. The South West, for example, is influenced heavily by the Native American and Spanish culture.
Language:
The USA has no official language, but the most commonly spoken language is English. This would make it easier for you to communicate with the locals and find your way around. The second most spoken language is Spanish, and America ranks fifth in the list of countries in which Spanish is a common language. Several other languages are spoken in America including Chinese, Vietnamese, French, German, Arabic, Hindi and Russian to name a few. Rest assured, the language will not be a problem when you visit the USA.
Religion:
The United States of America has no official religion. However, it is a country that was founded on a few guiding principles, and religious freedom is one of the integral values America adheres to. The country is religiously diverse too. Places of worship are available almost everywhere for travelers, so that’s one thing you won’t have to worry about in the land of religious freedom!
Cuisine:
The American cuisine varies from place to place. If you are in South, its ‘soul food’ and southern fried chicken is a specialty. If you are in the ‘corn belt’ expect many corn based dishes. However, USA is largely known for its barbeque, steaks, apple pies and ‘sloppy joe’ sandwiches. If you are fond of seafood, we have got the famous Pike Place Market in Seattle and if you would like to sample tacos the best place is the South West.
Not much of a food sampler? Don’t worry. The USA has lots of cheap food places which offer everything from your all American mac n’ cheese to elaborate French pastries. Cultural foods are largely available in metropolitan cities and even marketplaces so if you feel like having tandoori chicken or tortillas you are highly likely to find a few Indian or Spanish restaurants in every city.
Currency:
The currency used in the U.S is the American Dollar. The dollar is easily available in any exchange facility of the world due to its international popularity and relatively stable value. Typically one US Dollar amounts to 0.78 British Pounds.
Planning your Journey:
There are many wonderful destinations in America that you can explore. The terrain is easier to navigate, and tourism offices are open near every place that’s worth visiting. To make the time you spend in America more memorable you still need to schedule your trip. Planning your journey is easier because America has established routes, planned highways and a lot of roadside motels and eateries.
The shelves in local tourist offices are well stocked with the literature on the historical background of the regional monuments and helping aids such as maps and sightseeing brochures. However, you still need to smooth out a few details before you start packing for America. We will run you through it step by step.
What time of the year should you visit?
That largely depends on which states you are planning on accessing. You can access America all year round, but there are a few facts you should be aware of. The best time to visit the northern states would be late spring so May and June. This would allow you to explore the national parks and appreciate their flora and fauna in all its glory.
This is also the time of the year when the temperature is pleasantly bearable and the days are dyed in mild sunshine. The summer, by contrast, is characterized by sweltering heat in the southern states and crowded places in the northern states.
Winter gets colder as you go up north. So in the northern states, there might be snowfall and frozen lakes. Flights often get canceled in the winter on the East coast. In some northwestern states, roads might get blocked as well. Southern winters are warmer and dry with moderate temperatures but going further south during winter might result in your travel plans coinciding with the hurricane season.
The time of the year you want to visit America largely depends on the activities you want to try and the states you want to cover on your trip. The general rule of thumb is to travel during spring or autumn because that’s the time most national parks are in bloom and accessible.
Accommodation:
It will be reasonable to plan and decide where you are staying in the US. If you are going to the USA during one of their national holidays, booking a hotel ahead of time would help you save a lot of money. Cheap accommodation is available in the form of hostels and budget lodges. Small hotels are also an option if you are going on a budget. There are numerous bread and breakfast motels and small scale travel lodges that cater to the needs of frugal travelers. Avoid the busiest times of the year or book months in advance to safe up on your lodgings.
Cost:
Travelling in America is quite an experience because the country has a lot to offer in the way of sightseeing. Some places in America are cheaper than the others, and your travel expenses largely depend on where you are going and what mode of transportation and accommodation you have opted for. It is possible to travel cheaply in America, and people have traveled for less than 50$ per day. So if you plan your trip strategically and find the right place to stay at, it’s still possible to travel without incurring high costs.
Packing:
If you are planning on going backpacking, pack light. What you pack largely depends on which state you are going to visit, but there are a few essentials you should take along. Pack rainproof shoes if you are going further east and pack a light jacket even if you are traveling during the summers. A sturdy set of hiking boots would also be of enormous help.
Transportation:
The transportation system in America is well established and simple to use. Most of the signs and slogans on public transport are in English, and you can always ask the information desk for help. Most cities have their subway system along with trains and trams. Look into whether your city or state offers a pass and purchase it to save up on your travel expense. Car and bicycle rental is also an option if you wish to explore the city more intimately.
The Visa Process:
To visit the United States of America, you need to apply for a visa. Your visa, if you are visiting for tourism purposes will be a nonimmigrant visiting visa. B-1 Visa is visa category for people going to the states for business purposes while B-2 is the visa you apply for if you want to enter America temporarily for tourism or pleasure.
As a tourist, it is highly likely that you would be visiting America on a B-2 visa. Contact the U.S Embassy or Consulate in the country you live in for more precise information on the Visa process.