Location
The United States is an immense country that encompasses more than 3.5 million square miles (nine million square kilometers) and is home to more than 281 million people. Forty-eight of the country's 50 states are located in the central portion of North America. Canada forms the northern border of the United States, while Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico lie to the south. To the east is the Atlantic Ocean, and to the west is the Pacific. The United States also includes the states of Alaska, located in the northwest corner of North America, and Hawaii, which is a series of islands in the Pacific Ocean. Washington, DC, is the capital city of the United States.

Landscape
The country's climate and landscape are as varied as one would expect such a vast region to be. Mountain ranges run through both the eastern and western portions of the United States, with prairies and farmland composing much of the central part of the country. The climate is just as varied. The South has warm temperatures year-round, while tremendous seasonal changes-snowy winter months and hot, humid summer months-characterize the Northeast and Midwest. The coastal areas of the West have a moderate climate, while the mountainous areas see more seasonal variations. The deserts of Arizona and Nevada are extremely hot and dry.