Country Background
The United States has been called a "crucible" or "melting pot" because many cultures coexist in this country. Over the last 200 years, many people have immigrated to the United States from all around the world. Other people are native or aboriginal to the United States, for example Alaskan Eskimos and Native Americans.

The U.S. government is a democratic system that was created to represent the voice of the people. It is made of three branches -- the executive, legislative, and judicial -- each of which each have special responsibilities and powers.

Related Links

There is a lot more to learn about the United States!

Explore these sites for facts and figures about the United States: • ABCNews.com Country Profile: United States • America's Story: Explore the States • Atlapedia Online: United States • Ben's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids: Our Nation • Discovery School A-Z Geography: United States • The 50 States • United States Online Use the Olympic Primer to take a look at the U.S. cities that have hosted past Olympic Games. Access fast facts about important events that happened during the Summer Olympic Games in St. Louis in 1904, Los Angeles in 1932, Los Angeles in 1984, and Atlanta in 1996. Let Atlapedia's "Click-A-Map" show you physical maps of the United States. Look at state flags on the U.S. Fast Facts site. Find information about the U.S. government from Information Please. Learn more about Native Americans by exploring the homes, food, clothing, and communities of five major Native American cultures. Print a word search quiz on U.S. state capitals.

More Countries (past hosts of Olympic Games)

Japan United States Norway Spain Canada South Korea Bosnia Russia Austria

Germany France Mexico Italy Finland Switzerland Great Britain Netherlands

Not every participating country has had the honor of hosting the Olympic Games. To learn more about countries represented at the Olympics, browse the following sites.

3-D Atlas Discovery School A-Z Geography National Geographic Sydney 2000: Countries USA TODAY Parade of Nations