3.1. The usa major rivers and lakes

The longest river in the United States is the Missouri River^*. The Missouri River starts in Montana and covers 4 090 km before flowing into the Mississippi River, the second longest river in the United States. The Mississippi (3 770 km) flows to the south and empties into the Gulf of Mexico at New Orleans.

The Missouri-Mississippi river system is the third longest river in the world.

Another important river of the United States is the Hudson River which flows across the northeastern part of the country and empties into the Atlantic Ocean at New York.

The rivers in the west of the country are unsuitable for navigation because they flow through deep canyons and are cut by numerous rapids, which fact, however, makes them a good source of electric power. These rivers start in the Cordilleras and empty into the Pacific Ocean. The largest among them are the Columbia River and the Colorado River.

World-famous is the region of the Great Lakes, situated in the north-east of the United States bordering Canada. It is a system of five great lakes (Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario) joined together by natural channels. These are fresh lakes. Lake Superior is the largest lake that’s partly in the United States at 82 413 km². The largest lake entirely contained in the United States is Lake Michigan, 58 016 km².

Great Salt Lake, located in the northern part of the U.S. state of Utah, is the largest salt lake in the western hemisphere. Although it has been called “America’s Dead Sea”, the lake provides habitat for millions of native birds, brine shrimp, shorebirds, and waterfowl.

3.2. The usa major mountains ranges

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 offer spectacular sightseeing and excellent camping spots. The Rockies are the highest in North America, extending from Alaska to New Mexico, with many areas protected as national parks. They offer 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 highest mountain in the USA isDenali/Mountain McKinley(6,194 m) in south central Alaska.

3.3. The usa major cities

The biggest city in the USA is New York City, New York, which has over 8 million people. The second-biggest city in the USA is Los Angeles, California, which has almost 4 million people.

Here is the list of some other big cities.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis, in conjunction with its neighboring city, St Paul, has a population of more than two million. Known as the Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St Paul serve as the financial and cultural center of Minnesota.

St. Louis, Missouri

Located on the Mississippi River, which separates Missouri from Illinois, St Louis is known as the Gateway to the West. This heritage is symbolized by the city’s famous Gateway Arch, which was built in 1965 and is 192 m high. With a population of approximately 2,6 million, St Louis offers a vibrant waterfront area, a zoo, and art and history museums.

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is the capital of Massachusetts and the largest city in New England. Known for its charming neighborhoods and historic landmarks, Boston’s greater metropolitan area is home to more than five million people.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Founded in 1682, Philadelphia boasts a historic past. This is the city that witnessed the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the signing of the U.S. Constitution. Home to more than five million residents in the metropolitan area, Philadelphia is just two hours from both New York City and Washington, D.C.

Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is the business center of the Southeast, with CNN, Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, and United Parcel Service all headquartered there. This city of four million also has professional sports, a world-class orchestra, and charming neighborhoods.

Dallas, Texas

Dallas – along with its neighboring city, Ft Worth – is home to five million residents and has a distinctly western flavor. Culture and international business go hand-in-hand here: the city is famous for its live rodeos and country music and is also home to major corporations.

Miami, Florida

This city of two million is located on the southernmost tip of Florida and encompasses more than 80 miles of Atlantic coastline. The city is known for its Cuban flavor, beautiful beaches, and plentiful nightlife.

Las Vegas, Nevada

The “Entertainment Capital of the World” is home to more than 1,5 million people in the metropolitan area. Las Vegas is a culturally and ethnically diverse city with a history steeped in African-American, Hispanic, European, Native American, and Asian heritage. Located in southeastern Nevada, Las Vegas has a dry desert climate. Las Vegas is a popular tourist destination that features resorts and outdoor recreational areas.

Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix is the capital of Arizona and is now the sixth-largest city in the United States, with a population of more than three million. Located in the Sonoran desert, Phoenix enjoys a warm, sunny climate all year round. Summers are hot, but in the winter many Americans migrate to the Phoenix area to escape the cold weather, snow, and ice in other parts of the country. This may explain why some of the fastest growing cities in the United States are in Arizona.

Seattle, Washington

Seattle is located on Puget Sound approximately 100 miles south of the U.S.-Canadian border. The city is home to more than three million people, and is a commercial, cultural, and technological hub of the Pacific Northwest. Surrounded by mountains and water, Seattle features picture-perfect views and abundant recreational opportunities year-round.