Where in the World? You see the words “e pluribus unum” on every coin. You wonder if they are related to the words you see on the Statue of Liberty, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” Or, could they be related to the words written about the Battle of Lexington and Concord, “Here once the embattled farmers stood and fired the shot heard round the world”. Where on Earth are you? Can you find your place?

Where on Earth are you? Can you find your place? United States of America

Welcome to United States

The United States is the fourth largest nation in the world, and it contains every type of landscape imaginable: mountains, deserts, plains, glaciers, and tropical beaches. E pluribus unum means “from many, one,” and it is this very idea that helps define the United States. With a population made up of Native Americans and immigrants from around the globe, the United States is one of the most diverse nations on Earth. People may have been “tired,” “poor,” and “yearning to breathe free,” when they first arrived, but they worked hard to better themselves.

What exactly did Ralph Waldo Emerson mean when he wrote “… the embattled farmers stood and fired the shot heard round the world?” Emerson was referring to the first battle of the American Revolutionary War. The success of the United States’ fight for independence from England has encouraged worldwide movements toward democracy even today. The United States declaration of Independence, written mainly by Thomas Jefferson, was adopted on July 4, It states that “all men are created equal,” and that they are entitled to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Slavery. The Northern (the Union) was opposed to slavery and secession. A civil war is when a country fights internally. The U.S. Civil War ( ) pitted the Northern states against the Southern states that wanted to secede from the Union. What was the main issue behind the Civil War?

When Ben Franklin (1706 – 1790), a famous American, invented the lightning rod, he did not patent it or try to make money from it. Franklin just wanted everyone to be safe. The lightning rod is placed on top of a house or building, becoming the highest point. If electricity hits, it strikes the rod and flows, channeled down to the ground by the rod, where it becomes harmless.

The son of a former slave, Garrett Morgan invented the first gas mask, as well as the first traffic light. No one thought Morgan’s gas mask would work until there was an explosion in a tunnel in 1916 beneath Lake Erie. Several fire fighters had already died in the effort to save trapped workers. Morgan and his brother were able to save 32 workers despite the smoke, poisonous gas, and dust.

What American said, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”? Neil Armstrong said it in 1969 when he became the first man to walk on the moon.

FAST FACTS – United States of America The United States of America is also called the USA, US, United States or sometimes America. The US is the 4th largest country in the world by land area and 3rd by population. On February 25, 2013, the estimated population of the US was 315,568,000. The Mississippi and Missouri Rivers combine to form the longest river system in the US and the fourth longest in the world.Mississippi Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867 and is the largest state in the US by land area.Russia The tallest mountain the US is Mt McKinley, located in the state of Alaska it reaches 20,320 ft (6,194 m) above sea level. The most populated city in the US is New York City, followed by Los Angeles and Chicago. English is the most commonly spoken language in the US, followed by Spanish. The US was the leading force behind the development of the Internet. The US consumes more petroleum than any other country in the world

Where in the World? It’s your turn: Complete your “Where in the World?” page. 1 – fill in the country and continent. 2 – write a paragraph about USA with at least 5 interesting details (important details). 3 – colour in USA on the world map.