USA Pictures

The Empire State Building, hotdog stands, the Statue of Liberty, the Wild West…all of these things and a whole lot more come to mind when one speaks of the U.S.A. or the United States of America. The U.S. (as it is commonly referred to) is popularly known as the “land of opportunity”. And indeed, hundreds of thousands of people migrate to this country each year with big dreams and high hopes for themselves and their families. “E Pluribus Unum”, the country’s motto literally means “From many, one”. Germans, English, Irish, Scottish, Scandinavians, Africans, Chinese, Filipinos, Indians, etc. have come to this country and have made it their home. They make up the new race (by anthropological standards) called “Americans”.

The fact that the U.S. is a melting pot of so many different races makes this country exciting, different, and familiar to visitors and immigrants alike. Exciting because it is new and unknown and offers a world of opportunity for those who seek their fortune; Different because the blend has produced something unique and found nowhere else in the world; Familiar because each race and nationality has contributed its own unique culture to the “pot” and yet has retained its own identity. If you’re thinking it is just another continental country primarily because the British colonized it, you’ll be in for big surprise!

The U.S. is a BIG country comprised of 48 contiguous (physically attached by land) states and 2 noncontiguous ones (Alaska and Hawaii). So it would be a monumental task to try and cover the whole country in this article. But there are certain places that are “must-see” if you plan on coming over.

Why not start with the Ellis Island Tour? This is where most people who came to this country first landed between 1892 and 1954 when it served as an immigrant depot and welcomed 12 million immigrants from different countries. Since you’ll have to be in New York to get here, why not take a tour of the “Big Apple”? Who hasn’t heard of the events of 911? See Ground Zero and remember the event that shook the nation as well as the rest of the world. And don’t forget to visit the Empire State Building and see the Statue of Liberty from its roof top. You haven’t been to New York City if you haven’t been to at least one of these places.

Take in a musical or show while you’re in the area. Search for a decent hotdog stand and your visit here is complete!

Casinos and Elvis may have made Las Vegas famous, but if the neon lights and gambling isn’t your thing, you can always take a desert drive from this city to Los Angeles. It is the best way to appreciate the beauty of this region and certainly the most rewarding since you can make a stop over at an authentic Wild West ghost town called Bodie which is on the way.

In Los Angeles, visit Hollywood. Take a guided tour and see some of the homes of the rich and famous actors and actresses. Stroll down Rodeo Drive and spot one of these stars in person. Even if star-spotting isn’t your thing, there are a million and one things to see and do in this great city.

If you’re an Elvis fan, you MUST go to Memphis and pay your respect to the King’s famous home, Graceland. If theme parks are your thing, go to Disneyland in Florida…Disney’s ultimate theme park and amusement center. You can also visit some of the beaches in the area while you’re at it.

The Civil War Battlefield Tours offer visitors a great opportunity to fully appreciate what went on during this time in the country’s history. Visit the ones in Gettysburg, Franklin, and Vicksburg and witness re-enactments of some of the battles that took place in these areas in the latter part of the 19th century.

Take an electric car tour around the city of San Francisco and have lunch at its famous Fisherman’s Wharf, a seafood lover’s Mecca. You can also take a ferry from San Francisco Bay and take the Alcatraz Tour, the one time maximum security prison that held the infamous gangster, Al Capone. Take a tour around this grim place and experience how it is to be locked up behind bars.

There are still a lot of places to see in this great country---much like taking a tour around Europe only this is just one country. So make your trip a long one if you really want to experience and see it all!
 

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