edit United States Travel Guide

• Death Valley National Park (California) At the lowest place in the western hemisphere, you are sure to be impressed by the deserts heat and bare beauty.
• Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona) The enormity and complexity of nature is sure to stand out as you stare at your surroundings shaped by what appears to be a mere stream 1500 meters below your feet.
• Hawaii Perfect beaches, a layed back lifestyle, pounding surf, world class golf, tropical rainforests, breath-taking volcanoes, amazing weather, and on on, Hawaii is one of those places thats hard not to consider paradise.
• Las Vegas (Nevada) Sin City is the place where dreams are made (and broken). This desert city has made a name for itself for it's fantasy land of mega casinos. You can gamble, watch an elvis impersonation, have a 10 minute wedding, club hop, drink, pass-out, and wake up all without having any idea what time of day it is.
• Los Angeles (California) The entertainment capital of the word will certainly keep you entertained. The stars of Hollywood, the fun of Disneyland, the beaches of Malibu, and the shopping in Beverly Hills are all just the beginning of what this vibrant city has to offer
• New Orleans (Louisiana) With the world famous Mardis Gras celebration, the historic french quarter, and amazing jazz festivals, not evan a natural disaster can bring this city down.
  
• New York Sometimes considered the capital of the world, from it's iconic statue of liberty and empire state building to it's relaxing central park, you haven't seen urban amazement until you've been there.
• Washington D.C. America's capital is more than just politcs. Here you will find some of the country's best museams, architecture, and historical points of interest.
• Yellowstone Nationa Park (Wyoming) Spectacular geysers and hot springs litter this world famous park. If the amazing geothermic activity is not enough, the abundance of wildlife viewing in the park can keep you entranced for your entire visit.
• Yosemite National Park (California) Hike through beautiful forests, admire gaping waterfalls , relax in lush valleys, and watch climbers attack some of the worlds most challenging granite cliffs. America's natural wonderland is sure to impress.

Visa Requirements

Citizens of the 27 countries within the Visa Waiver Program, as well as Canadians, Mexicans living in the border region and Bermudans, do not require an advance visa for entry into the United States, although other conditions may apply. Most notably, a machine-readable passport (with your information on the bottom of the front page) will be required failing which they will have to apply for a visa, and Mexicans living in the border must also apply for a reusable Border Crossing Card.

Passports issued after October 26, 2005 need digital photographs embedded on them, and passports issued after October 26, 2006 must be e-passports, which have a chip embedded with the user's information. Some countries, e.g. France, did not have e-passports available at that date, meaning that citizens from these countries with newer passports but not e-passport have to obtain a tourist visa, which can be a cumbersome, costly and time-consuming process. If you have a non e-passport issued after October 26, 2006 and you are from a visa waiver country, try having your government exchange it for an e-passport, explaining that you wish to travel to the US.

The countries under the Visa waiver program are Andorra, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

Visa waiver visitors should note that returning the green card stapled to their passport on entry is their responsibility. If it is not returned at the end of your visit, you might be deemed to have stayed in the US and then be refused entry in future. Airline or border staff will typically take this card from you on departure, but check and insist on it, and if you leave the country with it in your possession, contact US officials about how to return it and update your departure record as soon as possible. You will need to present a substantial amount of evidence that you in fact left the country before the waiver expired, such as foreign payslips or credit card bills for the relevant dates; it is much easier to return the slip when boarding for departure. Air New Zealand has information about what to do if your slip is not collected, but double check this procedure with your US embassy or consulate.

For the rest of the world (including Mexicans not living in the border region), the visa application process is onerous, expensive, and slow. The application fee is US$100 (not refundable even if your application is rejected). Face-to-face interviews (where the official needs to be convinced that you are not a "potential immigrant") at the nearest US embassy or consulate are required for many nationalities, and waits for interview slots and visa processing can add up to several months.

The best advice for travelers today, from any country, is not to assume, but to check on documentation requirements with the United States State Department or with your nearest United States consulate.

Customs and Immigration

All visitors go through a short interview at immigration, where the official tries to determine if the traveler's stated purpose of visit is valid. Be prepared to show proof. For example if you are on a business visit, it is advisable to have an invitation letter from the company you are visiting, and a return ticket. If you are a tourist, you'll probably need to show proof of hotel bookings, etc. Whether they choose to give you a hard time or let you in without much notice seems to depend on your citizenship, ethnicity, and general appearance (shabby clothing and long hair may elicit greater attention than casual business attire, for instance). Once they decide to let you in, you are fingerprinted and a digital photograph is taken. As in most countries, it is also important to note that customs officials are required by law to treat any comments about bombs, terrorism, or other security issues extremely seriously; unless you are looking for an excuse to spend an hour or so being interrogated do not make even the most flippant remark about any of these subjects within earshot of any customs or other security official.

For non-residents, your entry forms will need to state the street address of the location where you will be staying. The name of your hotel, hostel, university etc may not be sufficient; you must provide the street address including the street number. Look this up before leaving home. If staying in multiple locations, provide the address where you will be spending the first night of your stay. This also means it is unwise to arrive in the United States without planned accommodation for your first night.

The Department of Homeland Security has now named the program of additional security measures US-VISIT and is now piloting a measure where you need to leave your fingerprint and photograph at a kiosk even while leaving. Currently, this is applicable at 12 airports and 2 seaports. Check the list, as most of the important ports of entry are covered.

Travelers from other continents may not bring meat or raw fruit or vegetables into the U.S., but may bring cooked nonmeats, such as bread. See APHIS for details. You will be given a sheet of paper with checkboxes for products such as food. Answering "yes" to any of these checkboxes may result in a search of your luggage and a longer interrogation about your motive for travelling in the US, even though the product is legal to import.

By plane

Most visitors from outside Canada and Mexico arrive in the United States by plane. While even medium sized inland cities such as, for example, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, have an international airport there are limited flights to most of these airports and most travelers find themselves entering the US at one of the major entry points along the coasts. 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.
  
• From the south Miami, Florida is the primary entry point from Latin America, primarily South America. Also, Dallas and Houston are major international waypoints.
  

Note that the United States does not recognize the concept of international transit. You must have a valid visa to enter the United States, even if you are continuing on a flight to different country. It is advisable to avoid transiting through the U.S. if you don't have a visa. Further, when booking flights to the US note that you will be required to clear customs and immigration at your first US stop, not at your final destination, even if you have an onward flight. Allow at least 2 hours of stopover (ideally more than 3) at your first US stop.

By car

If coming to the country by car via Mexico or Canada, be sure to have any additional documents required (such as car insurance, rental agreements, drivers license, etc.) before trying to enter the US, as the process has become more strict in the last few years.

The entry points into the U.S. by road from Canada or Mexico, are too numerous to mention and travelers should consult a map.

By boat

Entering the US by sea, other than on a registered cruise ship, may be difficult. The most common entry points for private boats are Los Angeles and the surrounding area, Florida, and the Eastern coastal states.

Some passenger ferries exist between Canada and the US, notable from the Atlantic Provinces to New England, and from Victoria, British Columbia to Seattle.

By train

Amtrak offers international service from Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal into the US. There are no train services from Mexico into the U.S.

America was once populated by peoples who are thought to have migrated from northeast Asia. In the United States those that remain are known as Native Americans, or American Indians. With populations once in the tens of millions, most led tribal, hunter-gatherer lifestyles, although some developed political enclaves based on agriculture, such as the Five Nations of the Northeast and the Pueblo peoples of the Southwest.

European interests in the region began at the end of the 15th as Christopher Columbus believed he had found an alternate passage to the West Indies. During the 16th and 17th centuries, various parts of both North and South America were colonized by several European nations and/or their religious missionaries, including Spain, France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Russia. Of those, the British colonies in Virginia and Massachusetts were the kernel of what we now know as the United States of America. By the early 18th century, 13 colonies ranged along the Atlantic coast from Georgia to present-day Maine. Their growth drove the displacement the Native American population westward and the extinction of many others, as well as the end of the embryonic Dutch and Swedish footholds.

The southern areas, because of a longer growing season, had richer agricultural prospects, especially for cotton and tobacco. Large plantations developed with most of the labor being provided by African slaves, as was typical of most of Central and South America. The Northern colonies developed as mercantile societies modelled after the "home" country, Britain.

In the late 18th century, colonial revolutionaries declared independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776, eventually realized by a bloody Revolutionary War. The colonies formed a federal government, with its Constitution inspired by Enlightenment-era ideas about government and human rights. In the late 18th and early 19th century, this government established itself and grew westward, under the "Manifest Destiny" for the nation to expand to the Pacific Ocean.

Territories in the Midwest were added as new states, and the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 gave the United States nominal control of former French territory along the Mississippi River. Much of this area was however contested by Britain, especially in the northeast. Florida was purchased in 1813 from the Spanish; American settlers in Texas rebelled against the Mexican government, setting up a republic that was absorbed into the union. The Mexican-American War of the 1840s won the northern territories of Mexico, including such states as California, Arizona, and New Mexico, giving the continental US the rough outlines it has today. The marginalization of the Native Americans, and their concentration in the west by treaty, military force, and by the inadvertent spread of European diseases, continued apace.

By the mid-19th century the differences between North and South had become severe. Though slavery was not the only issue between the two, it was an important one. In particular, the question of whether the new states in the west would be "slave" or "free" became a critical issue. By the 1860s, the Southern states decided to secede from the Union and civil war broke out. It was one of the bloodiest conflicts in history, costing hundreds of thousands of lives. With the victory of the North a single country was maintained. While slavery was abolished, the former slaves by and large remained an economic and social underclass in the South.

The late 19th century saw the U.S. cementing its power on the continent and making tentative expansions abroad. Alaska was purchased from the Russians in 1867, and Hawaii was annexed in 1898. The Spanish-American War, fought for Cuba's independence (as the official story goes), gained the first "colonial" territories: the Philippines (later granted independence) and Puerto Rico (which remains by choice a US territory).

In the Eastern cities of the United States, an immigration boom had begun. Southern and Eastern Europeans, especially Italians, and Slavs, including many Jews fleeing Russian pogroms, joined Irish refugees to become a cheap labor force for the country's growing industrialization. Many Southern African-Americans fled rural poverty for the relative security of industrial jobs in the North. Other immigrants, including many Scandinavians and Germans, moved to the now-opened territories in the West and Midwest, where land was available for free to anyone who would develop it. A network of railroads, most notably the transcontinental railroad which runs from the Atlantic to the Pacific, crisscrossed the country, allowing faster movement of people and materials, and thus accelerating development.

With its entrance into World War I near the end of the conflict, the United States established itself as a world power. The creation of real wealth grew rapidly in this period. In the Roaring 20s stock speculation created an immense "bubble" which, when it burst in October of 1929, created economic havoc, known as the Great Depression, across the country and around the world. This crisis exacerbated the disaffection among the working classes in the United States and around the world and led to a rise in socialist thinking that was to have a large effect on the rest of the century.

In late 1941 the United States entered World War II, which had begun in Europe in 1939. In Alliance with the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union, the U.S. helped defeat the fascist regimes in Italy, Germany, and Japan. At the end of this war of unprecedented scale, the United States, because of its relative isolation and power, became the dominant economic power in the world, responsible for nearly half of the world's production. The Soviet Union, a former ally though now devastated from the war, still possessed a great deal of military power. It became a rival of the United States and the other "western" countries, giving rise to what is now known as the Cold War.

Also at the end of WWII, African Americans, who had long suffered de facto disenfranchisement, demanded equal rights, with widespread demonstrations. The status of women and other "overdue" societal changes that had been contained by the effort of the war also came into question. Soon after, the unpopular war in Vietnam, a by-product of the Cold War, added to the social strife. This tension flowered into a virtual revolution (now known as the civil rights movement). Significant changes to the country were left in its wake. The economic and political conditions for African Americans substantially improved and a majority of women entered the workplace. This had a powerful effect of changing traditional homelife, the workplace and the economy.

The modern era is dominated by American struggles with the end of the cold war and the beginning of the war on terror. As a population deeply divided on the issues, the near future is cetain to be dominated by the after affects of it's increased vigilence. Despite this, American tradition, representing freedom and oppurtunity, is unlikely to waiver.

The United Statesis often considered a democracy, but more specifically it is a constitutional republic. Central to this is maintaining checks and balances between areas of government and ensuring that majority rule does not overrun the rights of the minority. Three branches of government balance power within the United States.

• The Executive Branch is made up of an elected President and Vice President and appointed Cabinent members (which must be approved by the Senate).
• The Legislative Branch is made of a 100 member Senate (2 members are elected for each state) and a 435 member House of Representive (currently 1 member elected for every 690,000 citizens).
• The Judicial Branch is made up of a 9 member Supreme Court and lower level fedral courts. Justices are appointed by the President but most be approved by the Senate.

Three levels of goverment (federal, state, local) divide up the work of running the nation.

The nation's capital is Washington DC.

Politics

While numerous political parties exist, the system is dominated by the Democratic and Republican parties. The current Democratic party tends to be more liberal on fiscal and social issues and attracts much of its support from urban voters, especially in the Northeast and West Coast. The Republican party is more conservative on these issues and attracts much support from voters in rural areas, especially in the South. Both parties are fairly centrist (but to the right of parties in most European nations). Far-right or far-left political movements that might take hold in other places tend to do poorly here.

While most domestic political issues have little impact on international travelers, the current debate within the U.S. over immigration is worthy of attention. Ongoing concerns about the availability of jobs, the question of national identity for a "nation of immigrants", the still-open wounds of the country's racist heritage, and new fears of political violence from foreign nationals, have all contributed to impassioned views on the subject. Illegal immigration (primarily from Mexico) is one of the focuses of this debate, but it spills over into policies regarding port/border controls, "guest workers", and even permanent legal immigration. Hostility rarely takes violent form, but suspicion about a visitor's legal status or intentions may lead to discourteous treatment or unpleasant situations, and heated discussions.

Economy

The US has the most powerful, diverse, and technologically advanced economy in the world with a per capita GDP of $30,200, the largest among major industrial nations. In this market-oriented economy private individuals and business firms make most of the decisions and government buys needed goods and services predominantly in the private marketplace. US business firms enjoy considerably greater flexibility than their counterparts in Western Europe and Japan in decisions to expand capital plant, lay off surplus workers and develop new products. At the same time they face higher barriers to entry in their rivals' home markets than the barriers to entry of foreign firms in US markets. In all economic sectors US firms are at or near the forefront in technological advances, especially in computers and in medical aerospace and military equipment although this advantage has narrowed since the end of World War II. The onrush of technology largely explains the gradual development of a "two-tier labor market" in which those at the bottom lack the education and the professional/technical skills of those at the top and more and more fail to get pay raises health insurance coverage and other benefits.

Banking

Banks can be found in nearly all U.S. cities. There you should be able to cash traveler checks (you will need your passport) and receive cash advances against credit cards (though usually with a hefty fee). Banks will usually not exchange currency (though sometimes in larger cities they will), and it is probably best if you change your money before entering the U.S. or at the airport. To withdraw money, 24 hour ATMs are available at nearly every bank and can also be found at many public places such as malls, theatres, gas stations, amusement parks, etc.

Currency

The official US currency is the United States dollar (symbol: $), divided into 100 cents (¢). Conversion rates vary daily and are available online. U.S. dollars can be found in denominations of 1's, 5's, 10's, 20's, 50's, and 100's. Pennies (1 cent), Nickles (5 cents), Dimes (10 cents), and Quarters (25 cents) make up the coins. Occasionally one may see a rare 50 cent or 1 dollar coin as well.

Credit Cards

Major credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are widely used. Other cards such as American Express and Discover are also accepted, but not as widely. Almost all sit-down restaurants, hotels, and shops will accept credit cards. Authorization is made by signing a sales slip or sometimes a computer pad. When making large purchases, it is fairly typical for the shop to ask for picture identification, but no additional security precautions are taken, so guard your cards carefully. Shops may also be suspicious of foreign cards and demand identification.

Gas station pumps, selected public transportation vending machines and some other types of automated vending machines often have credit/debit card readers. Note, however, that some automated vending machines accepting credit cards ask for the Zip code of the US billing address for the card, which effectively prevents them from accepting foreign cards. For gas stations, it would be advisable to check first with the station attendant inside.

Tax

Most states have a sales tax, ranging from 2.9% to nearly 10% of the retail price; 4-6% is typical. Sales tax is almost never included in posted prices (except for gasoline, and in most states, alcoholic beverages consumed on-premises), but instead will be calculated and added to the total when you pay. Groceries and a variety of other "necessities" are usually exempt, but almost any other retail transaction – including restaurant meals – will have sales tax added to the total. The states without a sales tax are: New Hampshire, Delaware, Montana, Oregon and Alaska.

Tipping

The United States is very big on tipping. While Americans themselves often debate correct levels and exactly who deserves to be tipped, generally accepted standard rates are:

• Full-service restaurants: 15-20%
• Taxi drivers, hairdressers, other personal services: 10-15%
• Bartenders: $1 per drink or 15% of total
• Bellhops: $1-2 per bag
• Hotel doorman: $1 per bag (if they assist), $1 for calling a cab
• Shuttle bus drivers: $1-2 (optional)
• Housekeeping in hotels: $1-2 per day (optional)
• Food Delivery (Pizza, etc.): $2-5, possibly more for very large orders
  

The important one here is restaurants. Theoretically, tipping waiters is optional, but in practice you should always leave a tip. In many areas of the U.S. it is legal to pay wait staff less than the mandatory minimum wage, so tips often form the majority of their income, and the tips are often shared with the rest of the service staff as well. If you receive exceptionally poor service that is not corrected when you complain, a deliberately small tip (one or two coins) will express your displeasure more clearly than leaving no tip at all. Tips are normally left as cash at the table when you leave (there is no need to hand it over personally or wait until the tip is collected), but if paying by credit card you can also add it directly to the charge slip when you sign it. For larger parties (sometimes over 6, almost always over 10) it is common for "gratuity" of 18% or so to be added to the bill and included in the total. In this case, an extra tip is not necessary. This will be stated somewhere on the menu, and you should also review the bill carefully before paying to be sure gratuity was not mistakenly added or omitted.

Tipping is not expected at restaurants (such as fast-food chains) where patrons stand at a counter to place their order and receive their food. Some such restaurants may have a "tip jar" by the cash register, which may be used at the customer's discretion in appreciation of good service. Some tipping at a cafeteria or buffet is expected since the wait staff often cleans up after you and provides refills of drinks and such.

Shopping

Major retail. America is the birthplace of the shopping mall, and suburbs in particular have miles and miles of strip malls, or endless rows of small shops designed exclusively to be navigated by car. Larger cities still maintain central shopping districts that can be navigated on public transport, but pedestrian streets are practically unknown.

Garage Sales. On weekends, it is not uncommon to find families selling no longer needed household items in their driveway, garage, or yard. If you see a driveway full of stuff on a Saturday, it's likely a garage sale. Check it out; one person's trash may just be your treasure. Bargaining is expected and encouraged.

Flea Markets. Flea markets (called "swap meets" in Western states) have dozens if not hundreds of vendors selling all kinds of usually inexpensive merchandise. Some flea markets are highly specialized and aimed at collectors of a particular sort; others just sell all types of items. Again, bargaining is expected.

Auctions. Americans did not invent the auction but may well have perfected it. The fast paced, sing-song cadence of a country auctioneer, selling anything from farm animals to estate furniture, is something not to be missed, even if you have no intention of buying.

Costs

The United States is generally expensive, but there are ways to limit the damage. A barebones budget for camping, hostels and cooking your food could be $30-50/day, and you can double that if you stay at motels and eat at cheap cafes. Add on a rental car and hotel accommodation and you'll be looking at $150/day and up. There are regional variations too: large cities like New York and Los Angeles are expensive, while prices go down in the countryside.

The U.S. is one of the largest countries in the world in terms of area (at roughly 9.6 million sq km, it's about half the size of Russia and around the same size as China) and population (though, even with 300 million residents, it's far behind China and India).

The continental United States (the 48 states other than Alaska and Hawaii) are bound by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, with much of the country's population living on these two coasts. Its only borders are shared with Canada to the north, and Mexico to the south.

The country has three major mountain ranges. The Appalachians extend from Canada to the state of Alabama, a few hundred miles west of the Atlantic Ocean. They are the oldest of the three mountain ranges, and are not particularly high, but offer spectacular sightseeing and excellent camping spots. The Rockies are the highest in North America, extending from Alaska to Mexico, with many areas protected as national parks. Their natural wonders offer impressive hiking, camping, and sightseeing opportunities. The combined Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges are the youngest. The Sierras extend across the "backbone" of California, with sites such as Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park, then give way to the even younger volcanic Cascade range, with some of the highest points in the country.

The Great Lakes define much of the border between the United States and Canada, also known as the North Coast. Formed by the pressure of glaciers retreating north at the end of the last Ice Age, the five lakes touch the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. The lakes span hundreds of miles, and their shores vary from pristine wilderness areas to industrial "rust belt" cities. They are the second-largest source of freshwater in the world, after the shrinking polar ice caps.

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.

Seasons vary dramatically in the northern and mid-western major cities. In a single winter storm, as much as 2 feet (61 cm) of snow can fall, with bitterly cold temperatures. Summers are typically mild but very humid. However, temperatures over 100°F (38°C) sometimes invade the entire Midwest and Great Plains region now. Some areas in the northern plains can experience dangerously cold temperatures of -30°F (-34°C) during the winter. Temperatures below 0°F (-18°C) sometimes reach as far south as Kansas or even Oklahoma.

The climate of the South also varies, but with the extremes coming instead in "the long, hot summer". Humidity and high temperatures make warmer months in these states good for little but sipping iced tea and plunging into cool bodies of water. But from October through April the weather is glorious, and nuisance insects subside.

The Great Plains & Midwestern states also experience tornadoes from the late spring to the early fall, earlier in the south and later in the north. See the Tornado safety article for more information. States along the Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico, may experience hurricanes. These monster storms frequently miss the the U.S. mainland, but if one is forecast to hit, do not take the situation lightly. Evacuations are often ordered for areas in the path of the storm and should be heeded.

The Rockies are very cold and snowy. Some regions see over 500 inches (1,200 cm) of snow in a season. Some of the world's most famous ski resorts are located in Colorado and Utah. Even during the summer, temperatures are cool in the mountains, and snow can fall nearly year-round.

The Southwestern deserts are extremely arid and hot during the summer, with summer temperatures exceeding 100°F (38°C) through most of the summer. This includes such cities as Las Vegas and Phoenix. Thunderstorms can be expected in the southwest frequently from July through September due to the summer monsoon that rises from Mexico. Winters in this region are mild, and snow is unusual. Average annual precipitation is less than 10 inches (25 cm).

Cool and damp weather is common in the northwest in areas such as in Seattle or Portland. Rain is most frequent in winter, and snow is rare along the coastal regions. The Pacific coast rarely sees snow and extremes in temperature are uncommon. Rain falls almost exclusively from late fall through early spring along the coast, except in Washington, where rain falls year-round.

Due to its size and the fact that nearly all citizens are descended from immigrants it is in general not possible to identify a single "American" culture. Visitors to the South will find a far different culture than those traveling to California or New York City. However, there is a culture that is said to be American, stereotyped in many Hollywood films. This reach of the American entertainment industry has helped energize immigration from all over the world. Like many stereotypes, there is a certain truth to this image and also a certain falsity. For example, it has been said that America is a "classless" society. This is true in the sense of class as it is traditionally known in Europe or India, where one's class at birth largely determines one's social station in life. But there is a huge disparity in the socioeconomic status of the upper and lower classes in America. The "classlessness" means that one can freely move between them by changing one's financial situation; one's outcomes – not one's origins – determine one's class.

It is also true that Americans are more materialistic and individualistic than many other cultures, though that is probably true of any very wealthy society. The wealth on display almost casually in large shopping malls all over the country might seem shocking to someone from a developing country. Yet it is also true that America is more religious than most other industrialized countries. So it is a mixed bag, and this should make it an interesting place to visit.

Race is an issue that the U.S. is still having difficulty dealing with. The nation's long history of racist policies and attitudes are a heritage that its population continues to struggle to overcome. Even such simple matters as terminology can lead to awkwardness. A foreigner's innocent use of the "wrong" name for a racial group isn't likely to seriously offend, but it's safest to avoid referring to race altogether, or to ask the person to whom you're speaking what the right term is in this country. Note: The answer will change depending on whom you ask.

Many current trends in industrialized and developing countries began in the United States, and almost every modern invention, including telephones, cars, airplanes, radio, television, computers, the Internet, and many others, were either invented or first mass-produced in the United States. The dependence on cars and the national interstate system to get around has long been an American icon, and to this day the United States has one of the highest per-capita car ownerships in the world. Other traditional elements of United States culture include Hollywood films, country music, blues, jazz, rock, rap, pop music, baseball, and fast food.

Respect

For the most part, Americans dislike arguing; what passes as heated debate in some countries may be seen as confrontation in America. Issues that may be particularly contentious include race, politics, sexuality, and religion. In particular, be very cautious when bringing up the subject of the Iraq War. On the other hand, Americans often have co-workers or neighbors with greatly varied religious, family, and political beliefs and are used to dealing with them. A friendly attitude combined with avoiding obvious points of contention will go a long way towards making your stay in America a happy one.

In some places it is not uncommon for individuals to approach strangers in an effort to promote their religious beliefs; if you are not interested, politely decline and go about your business or change the topic. If you have an interest in religion, accepting an invitation can give you a unique glimpse into the local culture and the varied worship styles.

Race in America is possibly the most contentious social issue. Whether with Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian or other people of color, any conversation about race will be particularly loaded. The subject is extremely nuanced, and it is highly unlikely that any foreign traveler will be able to navigate the minefield of American race relations without stepping on something extremely explosive. Keep such conversations limited to close friends who you know won't mistake your intentions.

Interpersonal space, for Americans, is very important. Invading a person's "bubble" of interpersonal space will cause most Americans to become extremely uncomfortable or to feel threatened, especially if you are a stranger. Unless you're on a crowded bus or subway, avoid touching or standing too close to other people, even in friendly conversation. Touching has a high sexual connotation, and is seen as a come-on. The size of the personal space "bubble" generally varies geographically, increasing as one moves west. On the west coast (California in particular), that "bubble" may even extend to include one's automobile.

Other standard taboos apply in America: avoid public nudity, including on beaches (exceptions to this can be found at specifically nude beaches and resorts). Urination in public areas is also illegal. Use common sense when communicating; disparaging America, its people, or its policies may be seen as personally insulting by some individuals. In addition, cursing or using foul language is a bad habit that is best avoided. While many Americans have a vocabulary that would make a longshoreman blush, most people choose their words carefully when in public, and especially so if children are present.

Holidays and Celebrations

The US has a number of holidays - official and/or cultural - of which the traveller should be aware (special events, closures, changed schedules, disruption, etc.) Note that holidays observed on Mondays are usually treated as weekend-long events.

• New Years Day (January 1) - most businesses closed; hangovers from parties the previous night, football parties
• Martin Luther King Day (third Monday in January) - many government offices and banks closed; diversity-awareness programs
• St. Valentine's Day (February 14) - no significant closures; romantic evenings out
• Presidents Day (third Monday in February) - (also Washington's Birthday) - many government offices and banks closed; few observances
• St. Patrick's Day (March 17) - no significant closures; Irish-themed parades during the day, and parties in the evening. Travellers may want to be wary of the drunken revelry and associated drunk driving crackdowns.
• Easter (a Sunday in March or April) - few significant closures; religious observances
• Memorial Day (last Monday in May) - most non-retail/tourism businesses closed; some patriotic observances; extensive travel to beaches and parks; traditional beginning of summer tourism season
• Independence Day / Fourth of July (July 4) - most businesses closed; patriotic parades, fireworks after dark
• Labor Day (first Monday in September) - most businesses closed; extensive travel to beaches and parks; traditional ending of summer tourism season
• Columbus Day (second Monday in October) - many government offices and banks closed; few observances
• Halloween (October 31) - no significant closures - trick-or-treating and costume parties in the evening
• Veterans Day (November 11) - many government offices and banks closed; some patriotic observances
• Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November, unofficially the Friday and weekend after) - most non-retail businesses closed; family gatherings, on Friday major Christmas shopping begins
• Christmas (December 25) - most businesses and restaurants closed the evening before and all day; exchanging gifts, religious observances. If you need food from a restaurant, your best bet will be Chinese and Indian restaurants. Plan ahead in case there are no restaurants open in your area.
  

Language

The U.S. has no official language at the federal level, but English is by far the standard for everyday use. Several states have declared their official state language as English. Some states have declared Spanish as an official language as well, providing services in both languages. Visitors from Commonwealth countries may get some funny looks when using certain expressions peculiar to their dialect, and may themselves be shocked by certain American English expressions, but they should otherwise get along fine. A degree of romance is attached to non-American English accents, and people may be friendlier to you because of yours.

Americans seldom speak languages other than English, unless they are from an immigrant community; visitors are generally expected to speak and understand English. Documentation on sights etc. is generally only available in English, though some sites have documentation in Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Japanese etc. Product labels may be translated into French (because the same product is sold in Québec) and Spanish, though some of these translations are badly done.

The majority of American accents are derived from Irish and British accents, with some Dutch influence. There are fascinating regional accents in the South and Texas, in New England, in New York City, and in the upper Midwest, but aside from pronunciation and a few colorful local phrases Americans from different regions mostly speak English. Americans tend to speak their native dialect, but when speaking formally, they may switch to something similar to a flat "Midwestern" accent, much popularized by radio, TV and movies. Many will also try to speak this way if they realize you have trouble understanding them. However, people with strong local accents may be difficult for non-native English speakers to understand.

Many African Americans, and some Americans of other ancestries, speak what linguists refer to as "African American Vernacular English", commonly referred to as "ebonics". AAVE is related to the nation's southern varieties of English, but some linguists suggest it also retains elements of grammar from the Bantu and Niger-Congo language families.

In many parts of the U.S., such as California, the Southwest, Texas, Florida, Illinois, and New York, Spanish is the first language of a large minority of residents, mostly immigrants from Mexico or Latin America. Although it's rare to be in areas where no one speaks English, a good handle on Spanish can make communications easier in some areas. In addition to English and Spanish, French is spoken in rural areas near the border with Canadian Quebec, in some areas of Louisiana, and by immigrants from West Africa and Haiti. Hawaiian is the native language of Hawaii and in the various Chinatowns in the US's major cities, Chinese is common. Smaller immigrant groups also sometimes form their own pockets of shared language, including Russian, Italian, Greek, Arabic, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. Another pocket comprises a group that has been in the country for generations, the Amish, who live in Pennsylvania and Ohio and speak a variety of German, and some Native Americans speak their respective native languages, especially on reservations in the west.

Compared to some western countries, Americans tend to be very politically natured. It may be surprising to some that many radio and TV stations spend most of the day broadcasting political talk shows. Some Americans may have strong feelings about local politics and US foreign policy, and it is wise to be courteous when talking about politics in general with Americans. Usually they will extend the same courtesy to you.

The variety of restaurants throughout the US is remarkable. One thing that a traveler from Europe or Latin America will notice is that, in some locations, many restaurants do not serve beer, wine or liquor. Another is the sheer number and variety of fast food and chain restaurants. Most open early in the morning and stay open late at night; a few are open 24 hours a day. A third remarkable fact is the size of the portions generally served by U.S. restaurants. Although the trend has moderated in recent years, portions have grown surprisingly large over the past two or three decades.

Types of Restaurants

Fast food restaurants such as McDonald's and Burger King are ubiquitous. But the variety of this type of restaurant in the US is astounding: pizza, Chinese food, Mexican food, fish, chicken, barbequed meat, and ice-cream only begin to touch on it. Alcoholic beverages are not served in these restaurants; "soda" (often called "pop" in the Midwest through the Northwest, or generically "coke" in the South or other soft drinks are standard. The quality of the food varies, but because of the strictly limited menu, it is generally good. Also the restaurants are usually clean and bright, and the service is limited but friendly. In many locations away from the major cities, you will probably need a car to get to one that you want.

Take-out food is very common in larger cities, for food that may take a little longer to prepare than a fast-food place can accommodate. Place an order by phone and then usually drive to the restaurant to pick it up and take it away. Many places will also deliver. Pizza and chinese food is by far easier to get by delivery than in a restaurant.

Chain sit-down restaurants are a step up in quality and price from fast food. They may specialize in a particular cuisine such as seafood or a particular nationality, though some serve a full variety of foods. These restaurants generally serve alcoholic beverages, though not always.

Full-service restaurants are in large cities in America just like a large city anywhere esle, and one may select from inexpensive neighborhood eateries to extravagantly expensive restaurants with extensive wine lists and prices to match. In most medium sized cities and suburbs, you will also find a wide variety of restaurants of all classes. In "up-scale" restaurants, rules for men to wear jackets and ties, while once de rigueur, are becoming more relaxed, but you should check first if there is any doubt.

The diner is a typically American, popular kind of restaurant. They are individually run, 24-hour establishments found along the major roadways, but also in large cities and suburban areas. They offer a huge variety of large-portion meals that often include soup or salad, bread, beverage and dessert. They are usually very popular among the locals for breakfast; some serve breakfast all day. Cost is comparable to a chain restaurant.

No compendium of American restaurants would be complete without mentioning the truck stop. You will only encounter these places if you are taking an intercity auto or bus trip. They are located on interstate highways and they cater to truckers, usually having a separate area for diesel fuel, areas for parking "big rigs", and shower facilities for truckers who sleep in their cabs. These fabled restaurants serve what passes on the road for "plain home cooking": hot roast beef sandwiches, meatloaf, fried chicken, and of course the ubiquitous burger and fries. A general gauge of how good the food is at a given truck-stop is to note how many truckers have stopped there to eat.

Some bars double as restaurants open late at night. Note, however, that bars may be off-limits to those under 21 or unable to show photo ID proving they are not, and this may include the dining area.

Americans also tend to serve soft drinks filled with ice cubes to keep them chilled. Getting no ice in your drink is acceptable, and the drink will still probably be fairly cool. If you ask for water, it will tend to be chilled and contain ice cubes, and you will probably have to insist on not having ice cubes if you desire so.

Types of Food

Barbeque, BBQ, or barbecue is uniquely U.S. and can be delicious. At its best, it's beef brisket, ribs, or pork shoulder wood smoked slowly for hours as the cooking method. The brisket and ribs are usually sliced thin, and the pork shoulder can be shredded into a dish known as pulled pork. Various parts of the US have unique styles of barbeque. The big regions are Kansas City, Texas, Tennessee, and North Carolina.

Chinese food is also widely available, though a traveler from China might find it quite "Americanized". Japanese sushi, Vietnamese, and Thai food have also been adapted for the American market in recent years. Fusion cuisine combines Asian ingredients and techniques with more traditional American presentation. Indian food outlets are available in most US cities and towns.

Mexican food is extremely popular among most age groups. As with other cooking traditions, Americans have given it their own twist. Combining in various ways beans, rice, cheese, and spiced beef or chicken with round flatbread loaves called tortillas, dishes are usually topped with spicy salsa, sour cream, and an avocado mix called guacamole. Small shops called taquerias can be found in the Southwest of the U.S. (and in recent years increasingly in cities throughout the country), where a good meal can be put together for $5-$10. The North and East usually have more pricey establishments, with the average main course running about $10-15. Multiple (sometimes dozens of) Mexican restaurants can be found in almost every US city.

With a rich tradition of immigration, America has a wide variety of ethnic foods; everything from Ethiopian cuisine to Laotian food is available in major cities with large immigrant populations.

Vegetarian food is easy to come by in big urban areas. Most big cities and college towns have vegetarian restaurants serving exclusively or primarily vegetarian dishes. In smaller towns you may need to check the menu at several restaurants before finding a vegetarian main course, or else make up a meal out of side dishes. Veggie-only breakfast foods such as pancakes or eggs can be found at most diners.

People on low-fat or low-calorie diets should be well-served in the U.S., as there has been a continuing trend in calorie consciousness since the 1970s. Even fast-food restaurants have "lite" specials, and can provide charts of calorie and fat counts on request.

For the backpacker or those on very restricted budgets, American supermarkets offer an almost infinite variety of pre-packaged/pre-processed foods that are either ready or almost ready for consumption, e.g. breakfast cereal, ramen noodles, canned soups / "meals", etc. While the quality of these "mass-produced" foods is somewhat questionable, they are much cheaper than most restaurant meals.

Etiquette

It is generally considered inappropriate to join a table already occupied by other diners, even if there are unused seats available. However, there are exceptions to this rule, mainly cafeteria-style eateries with long tables. In crowded informal eateries and cafes you may have success asking a stranger if you can share the table they're sitting at, and in such circumstances you may be asked to share as well.

Table manners, while varying greatly, are typically European influenced. Slurping or making other noises while eating are considered rude in most restaurants, as well as loud conversation (including phone calls). It is fairly common to wait until everybody at your table has been served before eating. Except in fast food restaurants, it is common to keep your napkin on your lap. Offense isn't taken if you don't finish your meal, and most restaurants will package the remainder to take with you, or provide a box for you to do this yourself (sometimes euphemistically called a "doggy bag", implying that the leftovers are for your pet). Some restaurants offer an "all-you-can-eat" buffet or other service; taking home portions from such a meal is either not allowed, or carries an additional fee.

Many fast food items (sandwiches, burgers, pizza, tacos, etc) are designed to be eaten by hand.

Drinks

Drinking customs in America are as varied as the backgrounds of its many people. In some rural areas, alcohol is mostly served in restaurants rather than dedicated drinking establishments, but in urban settings you will find numerous bars and nightclubs where food is either nonexistent or rudimentary. In very large cities, of course, drinking places run the gamut from tough, local, "shot and a beer" bars to upscale "martini bars".

While most American beer drinkers prefer light lagers – until the 1990s this was the only kind commonly sold – a wide variety of beers are now available all over the States. It is not too unusual to find a bar serving a hundred or more different kinds of beer, both bottled and "draft", though most will have perhaps a dozen or three, with a half dozen "on tap". Microbreweries – some of which have grown to be moderately large and/or purchased by one of the major breweries – make every kind of beer in much smaller quantities with traditional methods. Most microbrews are distributed regionally; bartenders will know the local brands. Some brew pubs make their own beer in-house, and generally only serve the house brand.

Wine in America is also a contrast between low-quality commercial fare versus extremely high-quality product. California wines are some of the best in the world, and are available on most wine lists in the country. California wines are labeled by the grape (merlot, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay) rather than the regional appellation, although wine producers are trying to give names like Napa Valley some more clout on the market. Imports are widely available in better stores and establishments. Many other U.S. regions have also undertaken winemaking, with varying levels of success and respect. Sparkling wines such as champagne and prosecco are available by the bottle in up-scale restaurants, but are rarely served by the glass as they often are in western Europe. The wines served in most bars in America are unremarkable, but wine bars are becoming more common in urban areas.

Hard alcohol is usually drunk with mixers, but also served "on the rocks" or "straight up" on request. Their increasing popularity has caused a long term trend toward drinking light-colored and more "mixable" liquors, especially vodka, and away from the more traditional darker liquors such as whiskey and bourbon that older drinkers favor.

Nightclubs in America run the usual gamut of various music scenes, from discos with top-40 dance tunes to obscure clubs serving tiny slices of obscure musical genres. Country music dance clubs, or honky tonks, are laid fairly thick in the South and West, especially in rural areas and away from the coasts, but one or two can be found in almost any city. Also, gay/lesbian nightclubs exist in nearly every medium- to large-sized city.

While it is common for Americans to drink alcohol, there are some often-peculiar legal restrictions leftover from the country's experiment with Prohibition in the 1920s Although laws regulating alcohol sales and possession vary by state and county, the drinking age is 21 throughout the U.S. Enforcement varies, but if you're under 30 you should be prepared to show photo ID when buying alcohol or entering a bar (which usually refuse admittance to "minors" under 21). Beware that many waiters/waitresses may have never seen a foreign passport or driving licence. In some states, a foreign passport or driver's license is not an acceptable form of identification for buying alcohol — and the bar could lose its licence to sell alcohol if it gets caught accepting such id. Go ahead and try using your passport as id and you'll probably get your drink — just be aware that it might be refused. Selling alcohol is typically prohibited after a certain hour, usually 2AM. In some states, most stores can only sell beer and wine; hard liquor is sold at dedicated liquor stores. Several "dry counties" – mostly in southern states – ban some or all types of alcohol in public establishments; private clubs (with nominal membership fees) are often set up to get around this. Sunday sales are restricted in some areas.

Most towns ban drinking in public (outside of bars and restaurants of course), with varying degrees of enforcement. All communities have some sort of ban on "drunk and disorderly" behavior.(with new hamsphire being a notable excpetion, its not illegal to be drunk there, only disorederly(providing one isnt driving a car) Drunk driving has come under harsher scrutiny, with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08% considered "Under the Influence" and many states considering 0.05% "Impaired". Drunk driving checkpoints are fairly common during major "party" events, and although privacy advocates have carved out exceptions, if a police officer asks a driver to submit to a blood-alcohol test or perform a test of sobriety, you generally may not refuse. Penalties for DUI ("driving under the influence") can include hefty fines and a night or two in jail. It is also usually against the law to have an open container of alcohol within reach of the driver.

By far the most common form of lodging in rural United States is the motel. Providing inexpensive rooms ($30-$85 per night as of 2006) to automotive travellers, most motels are clean and reasonable with a limited array of amenities: telephone, TV, bed, bathroom. As with most low-cost accommodations around the world, the cheaper motels tend to attract a varied clientele. In the North-East, many inexpensive motels can typically be found at each highway exit, particularly along the heavier travelled highways such as I-95. This is convenient since you don't have to arbitrarily interrupt a long road trip - you can simply drive until you're tired then find a room.

Business or extended-stay hotels are increasingly available across the country. They can be found in smaller towns across the midwest or in coastal urban areas. Generally they are more expensive than motels, but not as expensive as full-scale hotels, with prices around $70 to $170. While the hotels may appear to be the size of a motel, they may offer ammenities from larger hotels. Some of the hotels are for long term stays directed at business travelers or families, as they might feature kitchens in most rooms, afternoon social events (generally by a pool), and generally serve continental breakfast.

Hotels are available in most cities and usually offer more services and amenities than motels. Rooms usually run about $80-$200 per night, but very large, glamorous, and expensive hotels can be found in most major cities, offering luxury suites larger than some houses.

In many rural areas, especially on the coasts and in New England, bed and breakfast (B&B) lodging can be found. Usually in buildings with less than a dozen units, B&Bs feature a more homey lodging experience, with complimentary breakfast served (of varying quality and complexity). Bed and breakfasts range from about $50 to $200 per night, with some places being much steeper. They can be a nice break from the impersonality of chain hotels and motels. Unlike Europe, most American bed and breakfasts are unmarked; one must make a reservation beforehand and receive directions there.

There are also youth hostels across the U.S. Quality of hostels varies widely, but at $8-$24 per night, the prices are unbeatable. Despite the name, AYH membership is open to people of any age. Be aware that while hostels are clustered in more touristy locations, do not assume that all mid sized towns will have a hostel.

Camping can also be a very affordable lodging option, especially with good weather. The downside of camping is that most campgrounds are outside urban regions, so it's not much of an option for trips to big cities. There is a huge network of National Parks (+1 800 365-2267) in the US, with most states and counties having their own park system, too. Most state and national campgrounds are of excellent quality, with beautiful natural environments. Expect to pay $8-$20 per car on entry. Kampgrounds of America (KOA) has a chain of commercial campground franchises across the country, of significantly less charm than their public-sector equivalents, but with hookups for recreational vehicles and amenities such as Laundromats.

Short courses may be undertaken on a tourist visa. Community colleges typically offer college-credit courses on an open-admissions basis; anyone with a high school degree or its equivalent and the required tuition payment can generally enroll. In large cities, open universities may offer short non-credit courses on all sorts of practical topics, from ballroom dance to buying real estate. They are a good place to learn a new skill and meet people.

Studying full-time in the United States is an excellent opportunity for young adults seeking an advanced education, a chance to see a foreign country, and a better understanding of the U.S. and its people. It can be done independently by applying directly to a college for admission, or through the "study abroad" or "foreign exchange" department of a college in your own country, usually for a single term or one year. (Either approach requires a student visa.) The latter is usually easiest; the two institutions will handle much of the arrangements, and you don't have to make a commitment to four years living in a strange country. Be forewarned, however: many state universities and private colleges are located in small towns, hundreds of miles from any big urban centers. Don't expect to spend your weekends in New York if your college is in North Dakota.

The types of schools vary dramatically. (In conversation, Americans tend to use the terms "school" and "college" inclusively: any college or university might be referred to as "school", and a university might be called "college".) State university systems are partially subsidized by state governments, and may have many campuses spread around the state, with hundreds of thousands of students. Private colleges are generally smaller (hundreds or a few thousand students), with a larger percentage of their students living on campus; some are affiliated with churches and may be more religious in character. Other kinds of colleges focus on teaching specific job skills, education for working adults, and providing inexpensive college-level education to local residents. Although nearly all colleges are open to students regardless of race, gender, religion, etc. many were originally established for a particular group (e.g. African-Americans, women, members of a particular religion) and may still attract primarily students from that group. Several private colleges remain female-only, there are a few male-only private colleges, and private religious colleges may expect students to practise the school's faith.

Colleges are funded by "tuition" charged to the student, which is often quite expensive, sometimes reaching into the tens of thousands of dollars per year. Most U.S. citizens receive substantial financial assistance from the federal government in the form of grants and low-interest loans, which are not available to non-citizens. Often financial aid for foreign students is provided by their home country. They may be eligible for privately-funded "scholarships" intended to provide educational opportunities for various kinds of students. Some U.S. banks offer loans to foreign students, which usually require a citizen to guarantee that they'll be repaid. Contact the Financial Aid Office of any college you are interested in attending for more information about the sources of aid available.

Almost all U.S. colleges and universities operate web sites (in the .edu domain) with information for prospective students and other visitors.

Work in America is best arranged long before you enter the United States. Young people who are full time students of certain nationalities can apply for a J1 "Exchange Visitor" visa which permits paid work as au pairs or summer work for up to 4 months in virtually any type of job. The United States Department of State has full information on applying for this type of visa including the precise categories that qualify.

The H-1B visa allows a limited number of skilled and certain unskilled employees to work in the United States. It is based on a petition filed by an American employer. The most common careers of H-1B visa holders are nurses, math teachers, and computer science professionals.

Paid work is generally not allowed on a B1/B2 visitor visa. Working unlawfully in the United States runs the very real risk of arrest, deportation, and ineligibility to re-enter the US. Illegal immigrants also run the risk of dangerous work conditions.

If you are seeking to adjust visa status or to enter the US on a working visa you should first check the official government websites of the US Department of State, which issues visas abroad, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services which administers immigration programs within the United States. Unfortunately, con artists both in the US and overseas often prey on people's desire to travel or work in the US. Keep in mind that US visa applications do not usually require an attorney or other intermediary; be wary of and verify any "advice" offered by third parties.

Phones

U.S. telephone numbers have a fixed format XXX-YYY-ZZZZ. The first three digits (XXX) are the area code, which can usually be omitted when dialing from the same area. However, in large cities with multiple area codes, the area code may be required regardless. It no longer automatically implies a long distance call. The second three digits (YYY), called the "prefix" or "exchange," refer to the town or a section of a city and are always required (sometimes can mean the difference between a local call and long distance); the final four digits are unique to each phone within the exchange. You must usually dial "1" before the area code. Calls to Canada and certain Caribbean islands can be dialed as if they were in the U.S. (Caution: some Caribbean islands are expensive); calls to other locations require an international access code (011). At some locations (businesses and hotels with internal phone systems), you will need to dial an access code (usually "8" or "9") to reach an outside line before dialing the number.

The country code to call into the U.S. is 1.

Numbers with the area code 800, 888, 877, or 866 are toll free within the U.S. Outside the U.S. dial 880, 881, 882, and 883 respectively, but won't be toll free. The area code 900 is used for services with additional charges applied to the call (e.g. "adult entertainment"). Also, applies to prefix (no area code) 976.

Most visitor areas and some restaurants and bars have books with two listings of telephone numbers (often split into two books): the "white pages", for an alphabetical listing; and the "yellow pages", an advertising-filled listing of business and service establishments by category (e.g. "Taxicabs"). Directory information can also be obtained by dialing 411 (for local numbers) or 1-area-code-555-1212 (for other areas). In case 411 doesn't work locally, try 555-1212 or 1-555-1212. Directory information is normally an extra cost call. These phone numbers are also available online at each regional telephone company's web site (AT&T, Verizon, Bell South, and Quest). Although each claims to have all the local phone numbers of the others, using the site of the region you are searching for yields the best results (i.e. AT&T for most of California, Verizon for the Northeast, etc.) Beware, many residential land-line phones and all cellular (mobile) phones are unlisted. This is especially true of land lines in California and urban areas of Nevada.

Prior to the popularity of personal cell phones, pay phones were ubiquitous on sidewalks all over the United States, and commonplace in other places such as service stations (for gas/petrol). Today, however, many phone companies have removed them or have increased their charges substantially. You will probably have to enter a store or restaurant to find one, though some are against the outer wall of such businesses, usually in front.

Long-distance telephone calling cards are available at most convenience stores. Most calling cards have specific destinations in mind (domestic calls, calls to particular countries), so make sure you get the right card. Some cards may be refilled by phoning a number and giving your Visa/Mastercard number, but often operators refuse foreign cards for this purpose.

American mobile phones (known as cell phones regardless of the technology used) are not very compatible with those elsewhere. While GSM has been gaining popularity, the U.S. uses the unusual 1900 and 850 MHz frequencies; check with your operator or mobile phone dealer to see if your phone is a tri-band or quad-band model that will work here. The two largest GSM network operators are T-Mobile USA and Cingular. Roaming fees are high and text messages may not always work due to compatibility issues between networks. Alternatives to using your own phone include renting one (most larger airports have a shop, with rental fees starting at $3/day) or buying a cheap local prepaid phone. Be aware, however, that prepaid mobiles in the U.S. are not nearly as common as in Europe; fees for prepaid service are generally high.

Internet

Over 76% of Americans have Internet access, mostly in their homes and offices. Internet cafes, therefore, are not common outside of major metropolitan, tourist and resort areas. Even within major cities, Internet cafes are rarer than in their European counterparts. However, public-access computers with Internet can often be found in libraries and in high schools, colleges, and universities (though you should always ask first).

To access the internet with your own computer:

• Many hotels provide in-room internet connections. Sometimes access is wireless. Often this service is billed as a separate cost, but increasingly it is not extra and is part of the cost of the room.
• There is also an increasing trend in coffee shops, bookstores, and other establishments, to provide free wireless internet access for laptop computers.
• Some cities also have free WiFi connectivity, although this movement is still in its early stages.
  

If you don't bring a computer, you can access the internet by:

• All public libraries now provide Internet access, free of charge, but you may have to wait in line and their hours of operation are limited. Many libraries limit user access to 30 minutes at a time.
• The best bet for computer rental is a "photocopy shop" such as FedEx Kinko's (+1 800 2KINKOS/+1 800 254 6567) which is a national chain.
• Some hotels have "business centers" where you can use a computer connected to the internet, fax a message, and use a computer printer and make limited copies.
  

The American health care system is world-class in quality, but very expensive. Americans generally use private health insurance, paid either by their employer or out of their own pocket, or go without access to health care altogether. As a traveler, it is advisable to acquire health insurance with medical evacuation coverage before arriving in the US; should you opt not to do so and an accident occurs, you may face enormous hospital bills.

In a life-threatening emergency, call 911 to summon an ambulance to take you to the nearest hospital emergency room ("ER"), or in less urgent situations get to the hospital yourself and register at the ER's front desk. Emergency rooms will treat patients without regard to their ability to pay, but you will still be presented with a bill for all care. Do not use ERs for non-emergency walk-in care. Not only can this be 3-4 times more expensive than other options, but you will often wait many hours before being treated, as the staff will give priority to patients with urgent needs. In most areas, the charge for an emergency room visit starts around $500, in addition to any specific services or medications you may require. Most urban areas have minor emergency centers (also called "urgent care", etc.) for medical situations where a fully functioning emergency room would be excessive. However, their hours are limited, and very few, if any, are open overnight.

Walk-in clinics are another place for travelers to find routine medical care, letting patients see a doctor or nurse-practitioner without an appointment (but often with a bit of a wait). They are typically very up-front about fees, and always accept credit cards. To find one, check the yellow pages under "Clinics", or call a major hospital and ask. Make sure to tell the clerk you will be paying "out of pocket"; if they assume an insurance company will be paying for it, they may order tests that are not medically essential and in some cases bill for services that aren't actually provided.

Dentists are readily available throughout the United States (again, see the yellow pages). As most Americans do not have dental insurance, dental offices are accustomed to explaining fees over the phone, and most will accept credit cards.

Most counties and cities have a government-supported clinic offering free or low-cost testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases; call the Health Department for the county you are in for more details. Many county clinics offer primary health care services as well, however these services are geared towards low-income residents and not foreign travelers. Planned Parenthood (1-800-230-7526) is a private agency with clinics and centers around the country providing birth control and other reproductive health services for both females and males.

Crime

Like most things in the US, crime varies greatly depending on the area. Larger cities have higher crime rates, as might be expected. Outside of major cities and urban areas, however, crime rates are usually lower. As always, common sense goes a long way: do not go out alone at night, avoid high-crime areas, be wary of strangers, and do not draw attention to yourself. Carrying large quantities of cash is generally also not a good idea; tourists are sometimes targeted by thieves since they are more likely to be carrying cash with them. Credit cards are much safer and widely accepted.

When in cities, be ready for strangers who will approach, tell a tale of woe, and then request several dollars. In the majority of cases the tale is a scam, so do not feel any obligation to part with your cash. Some cities have a particular problem with aggressive panhandlers asking for money. In any case the best procedure is to firmly say "No" and walk away.

Safety in a car

Two occasions during which visitors should be particularly cautious are while driving and when being approached in cities. When driving, do not let anyone in your car you don't know; if anyone reaches for your car's doorhandle, drive away immediately. In cities it is best to keep the car doors locked and the windows up, especially at night. Always keep personal belongings in the trunk of your car, out of view of curious passersby. Picking up hitchhikers is generally considered to be unsafe, and is illegal in some states.

Gays and lesbians

Gay-bashing is not common, but physical and verbal attacks can and do happen, especially in cities and states where there's not an established gay and lesbian population. Most large cities are used to homosexuality (San Francisco, in particular, is famous for its thriving gay nightlife), with smaller towns being more conservative. Public displays of affection between gays outside of gay-oriented establishments will receive stares of astonishment at the very least everywhere outside of major liberal areas of the country.

In large cities such as New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Cleveland, and San Francisco neighborhoods can be found where the large population of gay/lesbian people live, work and play. An increasing number of resort areas are known as gay-friendly; these include old standbys like Fire Island, Key West, Provincetown, Saugatuck, and newer hotspots like Asbury Park.

Illicit drugs and prostitution

Street drugs, including marijuana, are illegal in all 50 states. Prostitution is illegal in all areas except at a few brothels in rural Nevada. American police make wide use of the "sting" operation, in which a police officer may pose as, say, a drug dealer or a prostitute in order to catch and arrest persons intending to buy or sell such services.

Most Americans frown upon illicit drug use regardless of quantity and travelers would be wise to avoid bringing or using such substances in the United States. Tolerance for prostitution varies by locale and the form it takes. Engaging the services of a street prostitute puts one at a very high risk of sexually transmitted diseases, an embarrassing arrest, and/or being robbed.

911

During any emergency, dialing 911 at any telephone will connect you to an area call center for all the emergency services in the area (police, fire, ambulance, etc.). Calls to 911 are free from payphones. Dispatchers will send appropriate personnel to deal with accidents, serious sickness, criminal or any other emergency situations. Unless you are calling from a mobile phone, the 911 call center can almost always trace your call to locate the caller. Abuse of the 911 program for non-emergency purposes can result in a heavy fine; only use this service for true emergencies. Some cities have a 311 number for situations which are not of immediate danger.

The size of the US and the distance separating major cities make air the dominant mode of travel for short-term travelers. If you have time, travel by car or rail can be interesting.

By plane

By far the most convenient form of intercity travel in the U.S. is air travel. Coast-to-coast travel takes about 6 hours, compared to the days or weeks necessary for land transportation. Most cities in the US are served by one or even two airports, with many small towns also having some passenger air service, although you will often have to detour through a major hub airport to get there. Depending on where you are starting from, it can sometimes be cheaper to drive to a nearby large city and fly from there or, conversely, to fly to a large city near your destination and drive from there.

Major carriers compete vigorously for business on major routes, and bargains can be had for travelers willing to book two or more weeks in advance. The converse of this is that most smaller destinations are served by only one or two regional carriers, and prices there can be surprisingly expensive. There are some discount air carriers in the U.S. and they are becoming more dominant all the time.

By Private Jet

Private jet travel within the United States is no longer the realm of just the super rich. Various fractional ownership programs as well as "jet cards" make it possible for the well to do to travel in style without the hassles of purchasing and maintaining an aircraft. In general, the advantages of private jet travel are:

• You can fly directly to small, more remote airports that would be inaccessible by commercial flights.
• You can fly at the time and schedule of your choosing, and on short notice.
• You can bring pets on board the aircraft.
• You can avoid the hassles of airports and receive luxury service throughout your journey.
  

Excluding outright ownership, there are three ways to fly privately in the United States. Fractional ownership refers to buying an interest, as little as 1/16th, in a specific aircraft. The charter company maintains the aircraft and hires pilots to be fly the plane upon several hours notice from you. You can later sell or exchange your ownership interest in the plane. Air Charter refers to hiring a private jet for one time journey. Jet Cards are pre-paid cards entitling the owner to a specific number of flight hours on a specified aircraft. As all expenses are pre-paid on the card, you do not need to concern yourself with deadhead time, return flights, landing fees, etc.

The cost of chartering the smallest private jet can begin at around $4000 per flight hour, with the cost substantially higher for larger, longer-range aircraft. While private flying is by no means inexpensive, a family of four or more can often fly together at a cost similar to or even favorable to buying first class commercial airline tickets.

By train

Passenger trains in the United States are surprisingly scarce and relatively expensive. The national rail system, Amtrak (1-800-USA-RAIL), provides service to many cities, concentrating more on sightseeing tours than efficient intercity travel. They have promotional discounts of 15% for students and seniors, and a 30-day U.S. Rail Pass for international travelers only. Separate from Amtrak, commuter trains carry passengers to and from the suburbs of major cities.

Amtrak offers many amenities and services that are lacking from other modes of transport. Many scenic attractions visible from the train are not visible from the road, or are more impressive when viewed from the train as the raised seating gets you above foreground clutter. Amtrak offers many routes that traverse some of America's most beautiful areas. Travelers with limited time may not find travel by train to be convenient, simply because the country is big, and the "bigness" is particularly evident in many of the scenic areas. For those with ample time, though, train travel offers an unparalleled view of America's scenic beauty, without the trouble of a rental (hire) car or the hassle of flying.

A major Amtrak line in regular daily use by Americans themselves is the Northeast Corridor line, running between Boston and Washington DC. It stops in New York, New Haven, Philadelphia and many other cities on the way. This line is electrical, with top speeds of 150 miles per hour (though the average speed is a good deal slower). The fastest trains are the Metroliner and the Acela Express, both of which have first class service, but can be quite expensive. Given the difficulty and expense of getting from the center of some of the major Northeastern cities to their respective airports, trains can sometimes be more convenient than air travel.

While some trains in the Northeast Corridor and other medium-distance lines do not require advance reservations, the premium trains and most of the long-distance trains do require such reservations. During usual American vacation times, some long-distance trains can sell out weeks or even months in advance, so it pays to book early if you plan on using the long-distance trains.

One major scenic long-distance train route, the California Zephyr, runs from Emeryville in the Bay Area of California to Chicago, via Reno, Salt Lake City and Denver. The full trip takes around 60 hours, but has incredible views of the Western deserts, the Rocky Mountains, and the Great Plains, things that you just cannot see if you fly. Many of the sights on this route are simply inaccessible to cars. The trains run only once per day, and they usually sell out well in advance.

Amtrak also provides reasonably speedy daily roundtrips between Seattle and Vancouver, Canada and several daily trips between Seattle and Eugene, Oregon on the Amtrak Cascades line.

Passengers travelling long distances on Amtrak may reserve a seat in coach (Economy class) or pay extra for an upgrade to a private sleeping compartment. Amtrak trains in the West feature a lounge car with floor to ceiling windows, which are perfect for sightseeing.

By car

America's love affair with the automobile is legendary, and most Americans prefer the convenience of car travel for getting to nearby cities in their state or region. Many northern "snowbirds" drive to a haven in the south for the winter so that they have their auto with them. Besides intercity travel, a car can be necessary even to get around in a single city. Travelers from outside the country may not sufficiently appreciate the need for an automobile here. Of course in very large cities like New York City or Chicago there are extensive in-city bus and/or train services and large numbers of cruising taxicabs, but in most medium-sized American cities, particularly in the west and south, cities are very spread out and public transportation thin. Taxis are often available, but except at airports you may have to phone for one and wait a half-hour or so to be picked up, and make similar arrangements to return. Even in some very large cities (such as Los Angeles and Atlanta), a private car is your most practical option.

Travelers from places like Western Europe should be conscious that if they intend to drive around in the US, they may spend a lot longer time in their car than they are used to, due to longer distances. This means that some characteristics that one may at first dismiss as gadgetry, such as air conditioning, may in fact be very useful - air conditioning is very welcome in the summer beyond the West coast. Also, roads and parking installations are generally designed for larger vehicles than they are in Europe, you may wish to avail yourself of the opportunity to have more space.

A romantic appeal is attached to the idea of long-distance car travel; many Americans will tell you that you can't see the "real" America except by car. Given the dearth of public transportation within American cities, the loss of time traveling between cities by car rather than flying, can be made up by the convenience of driving around within cities once you arrive. In addition, many of the country's major natural attractions, such as the Grand Canyon, are almost impossible to get to without an automobile.

The United States is covered with a convenient system of U.S. and Interstate highways. Interstates are always freeways (limited access; no grade crossings), while U.S. Highways may be freeways on some sections and not on others. These roads network between major (and minor) population centers, and can make it easy to cover long distances – or get to the other side of a large city – quickly. Primary Interstates have one- or two-digit numbers, with odd ones running north-south (e.g. I-5) and even ones running east-west (e.g. I-80). Three-digit interstate numbers designate shorter, secondary freeways. An odd first digit signifies a "spur" into or away from a city; an even first digit signifies a "loop" around a large city. The second two digits remain the same as the primary Interstate that travels nearby. The U.S. Highways are generally older routes that lead through the midst of town centers. In many cases, Interstates were constructed roughly parallel to U.S. Highways to expedite traffic that wishes to bypass the city.

American drivers tend to drive calmly in residential neighbourhoods. Freeways around big cities, however, can become really crowded with a significant proportion of "hurried" drivers - who will exceed speed limits, pass unsafely, or follow other cars at unsafely low distances. Enforcement of posted speed limits is somewhat unpredictable. Keeping pace with most local drivers will usually avoid a troublesome citation; however, it is possible that some local law enforcement forces preferably stop cars with out-of-state plates.

Renting a car in the U.S. usually runs anywhere from $30 and $100 per day, with some discounts for week-long rentals. Most rental agencies have downtown offices in major cities as well as offices at major airports. Not all companies allow picking up a car in one city and dropping it off in another (the ones that do almost always charge extra for the privilege); check with the rental agency when making your reservations.

Most rental agencies accept an International Driver's Permit only when presented along with a valid driver's license from your country. You may wish to join some kind of auto club before starting a large American road trip, and having a cell phone is a very good idea. Most rental agencies have some kind of emergency road service program, but they can have spotty coverage for remote regions. The largest and most popular club in the United States is the American Automobile Association (1-800-391-4AAA), known as "Triple A". A yearly membership runs about $60. AAA members also get discounts at many hotels, motels, restaurants and attractions; which may make it worth getting a membership even if you don't drive. Alternatively, Better World Club (1-866-238-1137) offers similar rates and benefits as AAA with often timelier service and is a more eco-friendly choice (1% of revenue is donated to environmental cleanup programs).

Traffic signs often depend on the ability to read English, using only words. The country is gradually adopting signs with internationally understood symbols, usually with English "translations" for locals not yet familiar with them. Signs rarely use metric units; distances and speeds will almost always be given in miles and miles/hour, without these units specified. (1 mile = 1.6 km.)

Gasoline ("gas") is sold by the gallon. The American gallon is smaller than the UK gallon, and equals 3.785 liters. The US octane scale is different from that used in Europe; a regular gallon of US gasoline is rated at 87 octane, the equivalent of about 92 in Europe.

Despite increasing petroleum prices worldwide and some increases in gas taxes, the American voter's attachment to his automobile has kept retail fuel prices much lower than in many parts of the world. Prices fluctuate by region and season, generally ranging from $2.00 to $3.00/gallon ($0.53-0.79/liter) the past couple years.

By bus

Intercity bus travel in the United States is widespread, but is not available everywhere. Many patrons often use bus travel when other modes aren't readily available, as buses often connect many smaller towns with regional cities. Many of the disadvantaged and elderly often use these bus lines, as automobile travel proves arduous or unaffordable for some.

Greyhound Bus Lines (+1 800 229 9424) has the predominant share of American bus travel. Their North American Discovery Pass allows unlimited travel for ranges of 4 to 60 days, but you might want to try riding one or two buses first before locking yourself in to an exclusively-bus American journey.

Megabus offers inexpensive daily bus service in the Midwest from their hub in Chicago to Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Saint Louis, Missouri; Indianapolis, Indiana; Detroit, Michigan; Cleveland and Cincinnati, Ohio.

For bus service between large East Coast cities (particularly Washington DC, New York City, Philadelphia, and Boston), travelers can purchase deeply discounted (below Greyhound prices) tickets from a number of small operators, typically called "Chinatown bus" operators, because they usually enter and depart from the Chinatown area of the cities they serve. These type of services are also beginning to appear on the West Coast.

By Recreational Vehicle (RV)

Recreational Vehicles -- large, sometimes bus sized vehicles that include sleeping and living quarters -- are a uniquely American way to cruise the country. Some RV'ers love the convenience of being able to drive their home anywhere they like and enjoy the camaraderie that RV campgrounds offer. Other people dislike the hassles and maintenance issues that come with RVing. And don