Country Profile: United States

The United States of America, a constitutional federal republic, is located in North America between Canada and Mexico. It spans an area of approximately 9.8 million square kilometers, making it the world's third-largest country by both area and population, with around 341 million inhabitants as of 2024. The U.S. economy is the largest in the world by nominal GDP, characterized by a diverse industrial base and significant technological advancements. The country is governed by a system that balances power across federal and state levels, with a strong emphasis on democratic principles.

Geography

The United States is situated in North America and bordered by the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans, with Canada to the north and Mexico to the south. Its diverse landscape includes vast plains, mountain ranges, and numerous rivers and lakes. The country experiences various climates, from temperate in most areas to tropical in Florida and Hawaii, and arctic in Alaska. The U.S. is home to significant natural resources, including extensive coal reserves, fertile agricultural land, and dense forests.

Area: 9,833,517 sq km (total)
Coastline: 19,924 km
Highest Point: Mount McKinley, at 6,190 m
Lowest Point: Death Valley, at -86 m
Natural Hazards: prone to hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes

People and Society

With a population of approximately 341.9 million as of 2024, the United States is characterized by its ethnic diversity. The population comprises primarily White (61.6%) and Hispanic groups, with a significant number of African Americans and Asians. English is the official language, spoken by the majority, while Spanish is the second most common language. The U.S. is also home to a variety of religious beliefs, with a significant proportion identifying as Protestant or Roman Catholic.

Urbanization: 83.3% of the population lives in urban areas (2023)
Median Age: 38.9 years (2022)
Birth Rate: 12.2 births/1,000 population (2024)
Life Expectancy: 80.9 years (2024)
Population Growth Rate: 0.67% (2024)

Economy

The U.S. economy is the largest globally, marked by extensive consumer spending and a significant service sector that accounts for nearly 80% of GDP. The country is a leading importer and the second-largest exporter of goods. Despite challenges such as high public debt and inflation, the economy has demonstrated steady growth and resilience. The U.S. has a highly diversified industrial base, including technology, finance, and manufacturing.

GDP (nominal): $29.185 trillion (2024)
Real GDP per Capita: $75,500 (2024)
Unemployment Rate: 4.2% (2024)
Public Debt: 114.8% of GDP (2023)
Labor Force: 174.174 million (2024)

Government

The United States is a constitutional federal republic that operates under a system of checks and balances. The government consists of three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The President serves as both the head of state and government. With 50 states and a federal district, the legal framework is based on English common law. The U.S. Constitution has been in effect since 1789, with an amendment process that requires significant consensus.

Capital: Washington, D.C.
Suffrage: universal at 18 years
Political Parties: includes Democratic Party, Republican Party, and several others
Next Presidential Election: November 2028
Constitutional Amendments: requires two-thirds majority in Congress

Military and Security

The United States maintains one of the world's most formidable military forces, supported by a significant budget that represents about 3.2% of GDP as of 2025. The military includes various branches such as the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force. The U.S. also plays a crucial role in international military alliances and operations.

Active-Duty Personnel: approximately 1.28 million (2025)
Military Expenditures: 3.2% of GDP (2025)
Nuclear Reactors: 94 operational
Global Military Presence: 200,000 personnel deployed overseas (2025)
Major Military Alliance: leading member of NATO

Energy

The United States has a complex energy landscape, with a strong reliance on fossil fuels, though there is a growing emphasis on renewable energy sources. The country boasts a total electricity generation capacity of 1.235 billion kW as of 2023, and nearly all residents have access to electricity.

Total Petroleum Production: 20.953 million bbl/day (2023)
Electricity Consumption: 4.085 trillion kWh (2023)
Coal Production: 534.234 million metric tons (2023)
Natural Gas Production: 1.072 trillion cubic meters (2023)
Electricity Coverage: 100% electrification (2022)

Transportation

The United States has a vast transportation network, including an extensive system of roads, railways, and air travel. The country hosts over 16,000 airports and has thousands of kilometers of rail lines facilitating both freight and passenger travel.

Total Airports: 16,116 (2025)
Railways: 293,564 km (2014)
Merchant Marine Vessels: 3,533 (2023)
Pipelines: widespread and crucial for energy transport
Ports: 666 total ports (2024)

Communications

The U.S. boasts a robust communication infrastructure, highly developed in both traditional and digital media. There is a high percentage of internet users, reflecting the nation’s technological advancements.

Internet Users: 93% of the population (2023)
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 386 million (2023)
Fixed-line Subscribers: 87.987 million (2023)
Broadband Subscriptions: 131 million (2023)
Broadcast Media: contains thousands of stations and networks

Environment

The United States faces various environmental issues including air and water pollution, deforestation, and habitat loss. It is a participant in numerous international environmental agreements aimed at protecting the climate and promoting sustainable practices.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 4.795 billion metric tonnes (2023)
Deforestation Concerns: affected by agricultural and urban expansion
Water Resources: total renewable resources estimated at 3.069 trillion cubic meters (2022)
Municipal Solid Waste: 265.225 million tons generated annually (2024)
Percentage of Waste Recycled: 14.8% (2022)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	341,963,408 (2024 est.)	Total population
Area	9,833,517 sq km	Total area
GDP (nominal)	$29.185 trillion (2024)	Gross Domestic Product
Unemployment Rate	4.2% (2024)	Unemployment percentage
Birth Rate	12.2 births/1,000	Births per 1,000 population
Life Expectancy	80.9 years (2024)	Average life expectancy
Energy Consumption per Capita	278.474 million Btu (2023 est.)	Energy usage per person
Total Fertility Rate	1.84 children per woman (2024 est.)	Average number of children born
Public Debt	114.8% of GDP (2023)	Debt as a percentage of GDP
Environmental Expenditure	16.6% of GDP (2022)	Health expenditures