美国概况--英文介绍

1、2021/8/61 A General Survey of USA主讲人 冯嘉文fiona2021/8/62Part 1 General Introduction of US2021/8/632021/8/642021/8/65National FlagNational Flag:The number of the stars50 stars represent the 50 states of America.13 stripes represent the first 13 states that used to be the colonies.2021/8/66Important Fac

2、ts About USAFull country name: The United States of America (USA)Population: 275,000,000 Area: 3,618,000 sq miles (9,370,000 sq km). The 4th largest in the world.Capital city: Washington, DC (pop: 607,000) 2021/8/67People: Caucasian（高加索人，白种人） (74%), African American (12%), Latino (9%), Asian (3%), N

3、ative American (0.8%)Languages: English (official language), plus many secondary language, chiefly SpanishReligion: Protestant (56%), Roman Catholic (28%), Jewish (2%), Muslim (1%)Government: Federal republic of 50 states2021/8/68President: Obama GDP: US$9 trillionGDP per head: US$25,850Annual growt

4、h: 4.1%Inflation: 2.6%Major industries: Oil, electronics, computers, automobile manufacturing, aerospace industries, agriculture. Major trading partners: Canada, Japan, the EU 2021/8/69The longest river: Mississippi River, the longest in the world.The Great Lakes: (from west to east) Lake Superior,

5、Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, & Lake Ontario. Lake Michigan belongs to USA. The other 4 belong to both USA & Canada.The famous Niagara Falls. 2021/8/610The three most famous national parks are 1.The Rocky Mountain & Yellowstone National Park2.The Great Canyon of Colorado in Arizo

6、na3. Yosemite in the Sierra Nevada2021/8/611Washington D.C.The capital of the U.S.Washington MonumentJefferson MemorialLincoln MemorialThe White HouseThe CapitolLibrary of Congress2021/8/612波士顿BOSTON2021/8/613Bostonthe State of MassachusettsIt is the earliest city established in the United States.It

7、 has many famous universities, such as Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of Boston. It is full of European atmosphere.2021/8/614波士顿（波士顿（BOSTON），位于美国东北），位于美国东北部，濒临大西洋马萨诸塞湾，是美国部，濒临大西洋马萨诸塞湾，是美国新英格兰最大的港口城市和马萨诸塞新英格兰最大的港口城市和马萨诸塞州的首府。州的首府。Boston.located at southeast o

8、f United States.is the biggest seaport and the capital of masail in new england,USA.2021/8/615New York (the Big Apple)the State of New YorkThe largest city in both the U.S. and the worldSkyscrapers Empire State BuildingThe United Nations HeadquartersChinatownWall StreetGreenwich VillageCentral Park2

9、021/8/616Central ParkNew York City2021/8/6172021/8/618San Franciscothe State of CaliforniaIn the early days it was the place where Chinese people concentrated.Golden Gate BridgeThe largest Chinatown outside of Asia2021/8/619芝加哥芝加哥Chicago2021/8/620Chicagothe State of IllinoisThe third largest city in

10、 the U.S.It has a nickname“The Supermarket of America”Sears TowerLincoln Park2021/8/621芝加哥（芝加哥（Chicago）位于美国中西部。芝）位于美国中西部。芝加哥及其郊区组成的大芝加哥地区，是美加哥及其郊区组成的大芝加哥地区，是美国仅次于纽约市和洛杉矶的第三大都会区。国仅次于纽约市和洛杉矶的第三大都会区。Chicago Located in the Midwestern United States, Chicago and its suburbs of greater Chicago region is se

11、cond only to New York City, United States and the third Metropolitan Los2021/8/6222021/8/623Philadelphiathe State of Pennsylvania Independence HallBetsy Ross HousePennsylvania Academy of the Fine ArtsFranklin Institute2021/8/624Houstonthe State of TexasNational Aeronautics and Space Administration M

12、anned SpacecraftThere are many famous corporations around the city, such as General Electric (GE) and International Business Machines (IBM).2021/8/625Los Angeles (the Big Orange)the State of CaliforniaThe second largest city in the U.S.HollywoodBeverly HillsDisneylandUniversity of California, Los An

13、geles (UCLA)2021/8/626Chinatown is located in downtown Los Angeles is a place inhabited by Chinese, with rich Chinese culture. Most people praise of none other than drinking tea with dinner Chinese restaurant. But to pay attention to the best use of a taxi at night2021/8/627Different Parts of USThe

14、Atlantic CoastThe central north-eastThe central areaFurther westThe south-westThe West Coast2021/8/628Important MountainsThere are three major mountain ranges: the Appalachians in the east, the Rocky Mountains in the west, and the Sierra Nevada along the border of Nevada and California. Appalachian

15、Mts阿巴拉契亚山脉Rocky Mts落基山脉Sierra Nevada内华达山脉2021/8/629Important Rivers(National Rivers)1* Hudson River2* Mississippi River3* Missouri River4* Ohio River(International Rivers)1* Colorado River2* Columbia River3* Rio Granda4* St. Lawrence River2021/8/630Part 2 Political System of USA2021/8/631General Pri

16、nciplesFederalismthe separation of powers respect for the Constitution & the rule of law.2021/8/632The Two Governments2021/8/633Political PartiesDemocrats Republicans2021/8/634Separation of Powersexecutive (the President)legislature (Congress)judicial2021/8/635The PresidentThe President is the e

17、ffective head of the executive branch of government as well as head of state. With the President, a Vice-President is elected, & if the President dies the Vice-President becomes President for the unexpired part of the 4 year. 2021/8/636The Congressthe Senate参议院 (elected every 6 years) the House

18、of Representatives众议院 (2 years)2021/8/637The Party Policies, like the American one, tend to cause a nations politics to be dominated by competition between 2 parties.The 2 great American parties are Republic Party & Democratic Party.2021/8/638Famous Presidents: George Washington (1732-1799)Comma

19、nder-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution & 1st President of the U.S. 1789-1797)2021/8/639Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)3rd President of the U.S (1801-1809) & author of the Declaration of Independence. 2021/8/640Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin (17061790), American

20、 statesman, diplomat, scientist and writer. He was born into a poor family in Massachusetts, and worked as printer apprentice in his youth. 2021/8/641Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)16th President of the U.S. (1861-1865)Famous and admired because of his leadership during the difficult period of the Ameri

21、can Civil War and the liberation of Negroes from slavery.2021/8/642Part 3 American History2021/8/643The Earliest Inhabitants20,000 years ago, American IndiansColumbus found the new continent10,000 years ago, the later Eskimosthe year 1000, the earliest Europeans2021/8/644DiscoveryIn late 15th-centur

22、y Europe, there was a great demand for spices, textiles and dyes from Asia. Christopher Columbus, a mariner from Italy, mistakenly believed that he could reach the Far East by sailing 6,400 kilometers west from Europe.2021/8/645English SettlementsThe first successful English colony in America was fo

23、unded at Jamestown, Virginia in 1607. Of the first 105 colonists, 73 died of hunger and disease within seven months of their arrival.One group of English Puritans crossed the Atlantic in the ship Mayflower and settled at Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620. A much larger Puritan colony was established i

24、n the Boston area in 1630.2021/8/646Colonial EraBy 1733 English settlers had occupied 13 colonies along the Atlantic coast, namely, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, and Maryland.

25、2021/8/647War of IndependenceApril 19, 1775, the American War of Independence began.May 1775, a second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. Thomas Jefferson drafted a Declaration of Independence, The Treaty of Paris was signed in September 1783, in which Britain recognized the independence of t

26、he United States.2021/8/648The Declaration of IndependenceThe Constitution2021/8/649 Civil WarTime: 1861-1865 Participants: the South (Democratic) and the North(Republican)Cause: Abraham Lincoln was elected as president The Preface: Lincoln was elected as President-1860年11月 South Carolina voted to l

27、eave the Union-the signal of the warThe eleven southern states form an independent nationthe Confederate States of America (beginning)2021/8/650The process of the Civil War The NorthThe SouthPopulation2234万910万IndustryDeveloped Fewrailroads many Nearly zeroMilitaryN o t w e l l equipped Fully armed

28、2021/8/651Influence of the warTwo achievements:realize the unification of the American nationEnd the slavery system2021/8/652Western MovementoTime : the years following the end of the civil war in 1965 oPeople: miners oPurpose: seek for gold and silver oPlace:Rocky mountain region oFamous figures: h

29、ired horsemen- cowboys oResults: Indians are withdrew and buffalo were destroyed 2021/8/653Progressive movementoCause: economy booming + prosperity spreading but poverty coexist oMeasures: change policyn before1900 : laissez-faire n after1900: progressivismo Achievements: passing laws restricting ch

30、ild labor, protecting women workers, limiting work hours and providing worker men compensation o let the sleeping dog lie2021/8/654New DealoEconomy circle: o lowest pointrecovery-recessionprosperityrecession-lowest point o1929,10,24 Black Thursday, Great Depression broke out. oHoover oFranklin D.Roo

31、selvelt oNew Deal2021/8/655Part 4 American Education2021/8/656Structure of American EducationEarly childhood educationGrammar school or elementary school (primary)High school (secondary)College and university (higher/tertiary education)2021/8/657Education in the United States of America美国教育体系2021/8/

32、658 I. The goal of education “Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man how to fish and he will eat for the rest of his life.” - Chinese Proverb The goal of education is to achieve universal literacy and to provide individuals with educational opportunities.2021/8/659 Education in the

33、 United States is provided mainly by government, with control and funding coming from three levels: federal, state, and local. Each of 50 states in the United States has its own laws regulating education. From state to state, some laws are similar; others are not.II. Education a local matter2021/8/6

34、60III. Expenditure of EducationEducational funds are from several sources. Funds for elementary and secondary schools come from 3 sources: about 50% from local property taxes, 40-50% from the states, 8%-9% from the federal government.2021/8/661Levels of schoolingHigher EducationSecondary EducationEl

35、ementary Education2021/8/662Elementary school and secondary schoolIn most areas, free public school education begins with kindergarten classes for 5 years old.Almost all the 50 states have laws that require 12 years of compulsory attendance at school for children.2021/8/663In some school system, the

36、 12 grades are divided into two stages, the first 6 grades for elementary school and the next 6 grades for secondary school.In other school system, there are three divisions: elementary school (grades16), junior high school (79), and senior high school (1012). 2021/8/664Education in the United State

37、sGradeAgePreschoolKindergarten5 - 6Elementary School1st Grade2nd Grade3rd Grade4th Grade5th Grade6 - 77 - 88 - 912 - 1310 - 116th Grade7th Grade8th Grade11 - 129 - 1013 - 14Middle School9th Grade14 - 152021/8/66510th Grade11th Grade12th Grade15 - 1616 - 1717 - 18High School2021/8/666IV. Curricula fo

38、r Students1.Elementary SchoolAlthough the federal government has no national curriculum for education, almost every elementary school provides instruction in these subjects: language arts; math ;penmanship; science; social studies; music; art; and physical education.Physical Education2021/8/6672. Se

39、condary SchoolSecondary schools offer these subjects: English, mathematics, science, social studies and physical education.Most schools offer foreign languages. Spanish is the most popular foreign language for Americans .2021/8/668Class atmosphere is usually relaxed in American schools.American educ

40、ator believe that children learn better when they are happy and interested, so every effort has been made to arouse the interests of the individual.2021/8/669Private SchoolsMost private schools are related to religious groups. In these schools, religious instruction is part of the curriculum Today,

41、about 12% of all American children go to private schools for their elementary and secondary education.2021/8/670Middle School in U.S.A2021/8/671Standardized TestsIn the last year of high school, students who want to go on to receive higher education have to take some kind of standardized tests.The m

42、ost popular tests are Scholastic Assessment Tests (SAT) and the American College Testing (ACT)2021/8/672SATThe SAT is a three-hour, multiple-choice exam measuring verbal, math, and reasoning skills.It is required by most higher education institutions in the United States for the admission to undergr

43、aduate degree programs.2021/8/673Entrance Requirement of a University or a CollegeSuccessful applicants at such colleges are usually chosen on the basis of :Their high school academic performanceLetters of recommendation from their high school teachersThe impression they make during the interviews a

44、t the university1.Their scores on SAT2021/8/674The Complex System of Higher EducationIt comprises four categories of institutions:The universityThe four-year undergraduate institutionthe collegeThe technical training institutionThe two-year, or community college2021/8/675CreditOne of the measurement

45、s for an undergraduate in academic progress is credit or “point”. Typically, an undergraduate student has to earn a certain number of credits (about 120) in order to receive the bachelors degree at the end of four years of college.Credits are earned by attending lectures (or lab classes) and by succ

46、essfully completing assignments and examinations. 2021/8/676Students who want to pursue graduate study have to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) for law school, 1.or the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) if one wants to go to a medical school.2

47、021/8/677Table of Academic Degrees18 (age)Undergraduate for the Bachelors degree (4 years)1 (grade)19220321422Graduate School for the Masters (1-2)523624Graduate School for the Doctorate (2,3 or more)7258Postdoctoral Study and Research2021/8/678Public UniversitiesPublic universities are operated by

48、a state or local government Some famous public universities: University of California at BerkleyUniversity of California at Los Angles (UCLA)University of Virginia2021/8/679Ivy League UniversitiesIvy League Universities refer to the eight older private universities in the east of America.Harvard Uni

49、versity 1636 Cambridge MA Yale University 1701 New Haven CNPrinceton University 1746 Princeton N.J2021/8/680University of Pennsylvania 1740 Philadelphia PAColumbia University 1754 New York City NYBrown University 1764 Providence RIDartmouth College 1769 Hanover NHCornell University 1865 Ithaca NY2021/8/681Harvard University2021/8/682Part 5 American Holidays2021/8/683January 1 New Years Day (新年）15 Martin Luther King Jr.s Birthday19 Martin Luther King Jr.s Birthday Observed February 12