Next Stop: United States - Let's Travel Through Uncle Sam's Land
Of course all nations have their flaws and their qualities, but we have to twist our arms and put anti-capitalism aside to admit that Uncle Sam's country is the cradle of some of the most incredible things in the world.
From Thomas Edison to Steve Jobs, from telegraph to cell phone, from Mickey Mouse to Homer Simpson, from hamburger to cupcake, from Coca-Cola to McDonald's, from Post-It to Barbie, from jeans to band-aids, the best-known inventions. from many different areas came from the United States of America and spread all over the world.
Plus, the magic of cinema, Disney's park-shaped fantasy, the city that never sleeps, breathtaking landscapes, the most extreme roller coasters, some of the world's greatest music icons, NASA and more. (or originated) in US lands.
Yes, we know that the United States also has its darker side, with bombings, bizarre crimes, the cases of various crazies shooting at schools, spying on e-mails by government leaders from various countries (including Brazil in this)., etc.
But, you know, the Next Stop is not to talk about anything bad, but to tell a little of history and extol the best of nations. So grab your iPod, put on a good American rock'n'roll, prepare a brownie and a milkshake to accompany the trip, and let's dive into the history, curiosities and beauties of the United States. Let's go!
A little bit of history
Prior to the discovery by the Genoese navigator Christopher Columbus in 1492, the United States was inhabited exclusively by its natives, consisting of several indigenous groups such as the Iroquois, the Algonquins, the Sioux, the Apaches, the Navarros and the Uto-Aztecs.
After Columbus's arrival, colonization took place by explorers from various European countries such as Spain (mainly throughout the southern part of the country), England, Scotland, Ireland, the Netherlands, France and Sweden. The first British colony was Virginia, which was founded in 1606. Soon, the colonization of the English spread most strongly along the country's Atlantic coast and to the north.
With more effective rule, the British quickly appropriated regions colonized before by explorers from other countries. For example, the state of New York was at first dominated by the Dutch. So much so that the name of the state-founded capital was New Amsterdam. When the British dominated the region, the city was renamed New York.
Between colonization and exploitative disputes, wars such as the Franco Indigenous took place between the French colony of New France and the Thirteen British Colonies, in which the United Kingdom won, taking over the territories of the French.
Exactly 238 years ago, on July 4, 1776, the independence of the United States was declared by the Thirteen Colonies, which became independent of the British kingdom. The document, composed of Thomas Jefferson (who was elected president in 1800), contained the following sentence, which to this day is an inspiration to all Americans:
We consider these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, endowed by the Creator with certain inalienable rights, which include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
World superpower
At the end of World War II, the world was practically divided into US-led capitalist and Soviet-led communist, marking the beginning of the Cold War, which lasted from 1945 to 1991. But communism was in crisis and the United States was once defined as a world superpower.
In 2001, the American (and world) population experienced one of the saddest and most remarkable moments in history. On September 11 of that year, nineteen terrorists from the Islamic fundamentalist organization Al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial airliners. Two of them collided with the two towers of the World Trade Center in New York while the third was hurled at the Pentagon and the other into an open field in Pennsylvania.
Nearly 3, 000 people died during the attacks, including citizens from more than 70 countries flying or towers. The US response was a declared war on the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, seeking to hunt down terrorist leader Osama Bin Laden, who was captured and killed just over ten years later, on May 2, 2011.
Incredible cities
The United States has amazing cities, from the big metropolises to the medium and smaller ones, which have a quieter lifestyle. Among the largest are the nation's capital, Washington DC, home to the White House, the main seat of the national government and the sweet home of President Barack Obama and his family.
This city is also home to historic landmarks such as the Capitol of Congress, the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, as well as some of the best museums in the United States, such as the Smithsonian Complex and the Air and Space Museum.
There is no talking about America and no talking about the most famous city in the world, New York. Considered the capital of the world, the so-called Big Apple has an estimated population of over 8.4 million (according to a 2013 census), being the most populous city in the United States.
A destination for dreams of success and freedom (as well as a lot of tourism), New York City is known for its status as an impressive financial and cultural center, hosting some of the most important events in the country and the world, involving both culture, as for fashion, entertainment, politics, the arts, sports, technology, education and commerce. The Statue of Liberty is the symbol of a free country, considered a welcome sign for immigrants arriving from abroad.
It would be impossible to list all the attractions of New York, because even just walking its streets is a separate show. Some of the most visited by tourists are: Central Park, Statue of Liberty itself, Rockfeller Center, Natural History Museum, Public Library, Fifth Avenue, Times Square, Broadway, St. Patrick's Cathedral and Chinatown
But for those who have plenty of vacation time, it is interesting to rent an apartment instead of staying in a hotel or hostel, and living like New Yorkers, visiting free markets, taking advantage of local shops in a few different neighborhoods, going out of the loop. tourist, discovering charming and amazing shops, art galleries, bars and restaurants.
And for those traveling to New York with that one and only goal of shopping and more shopping, there are (near the city) some of the largest Outlets in the country with well-known designer stores and worthwhile prices.
Girl I'm going to California
Another amazing city, at the other end of the country compared to New York, is Los Angeles (California), the movie capital. Founded by a group of Spaniards and Indians, the small settlement of Nuestra Senora la Reina in Los Angeles has grown dramatically and become the second most populous and glamorous city in the United States.
Cradle of the world's most famous film industry, the city of angels has become a destination for people who dreamed (and still dream) of their artistic career. Immortalized by the Hollywood sign, the cinema still moves Los Angeles, but not so much with the same glamor of the 50s, the time of the heyday of stars like Marilyn Monroe.
However, the city has plenty to visit, from its beaches (such as the famous Venice Beach and Malibu) to Sunset Boulevard, Disneyland, the luxurious Beverly Hills, the celebrity houses (from the outside, of course). If you're lucky, you can watch the matches of some professional basketball or baseball championships.
It is also in California where the sunny city of San Diego is located, as well as San Francisco, which likewise have numerous attractions to offer. The state is still a major wine producer, with Santa Barbara, Napa Valley, Mendocino and Sonoma as its main wine regions.
The city of sin
Las Vegas is also one of the most visited cities in the United States. Its casinos and shopping centers attract tourists from all over the world who want to gamble and enjoy the country's brightest city with its colorful lights.
Vegas, which is located in the state of Nevada, also has a number of other attractions for music shows, theater and shows, such as Cirque de Soleil's many. Also, between Las Vegas and Albuquerque is the Grand Canyon, one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the United States.
Florida and the fantasy world
Florida is one of the most visited states in the United States, mainly by Brazilian visitors, who are looking for a perfect place to rest on their beaches in Miami and many, but many, shopping in their stores and outlets.
Florida is also home to the cities of Orlando and Kissimmee, where Disney's premier parks are located, such as Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios.
In addition to these there are the other theme parks like Universal Studios, Sea World, Busch Gardens with their amazing roller coasters. Also in Florida you can visit the Kennedy Space Center, which is home to NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and is located on an island located between the cities of Jacksonville and Miami.
Gastronomy and the love of bacon
Many of America's culinary fashions have been brought around the world. Usually made up of “gordices”, the American fast food icons are hamburgers and hot dogs, as well as other goodies like donuts, cheesecakes and cupcakes. In addition, Americans' love for bacon has also crossed borders. After all, how not to love?
In the southern part of the country, gastronomy was influenced by Mexicans and, in the Mississippi and Tenesse region, by blacks brought in as slaves, the traditional “soul food”. But it's not just extreme calories that American cuisine lives on.
Living in a more “nature” era, many cities, particularly on the Californian coast, have populations that have adopted a lighter lifestyle, opting for organic foods purchased at free markets from regional producers. The healthy wave has also invaded New York and other capitals, which may reflect the fear of the high rate of obesity facing the country.
More curiosities
- Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867, being the largest US state by territorial extension,
- Hawaii is the latest of the 50 US states, being the only one made up entirely of islands,
- The most popular team sports in the United States are football, baseball, basketball and ice hockey,
- The first man to set foot on the moon was the American Neil Armstrong (on July 21, 1969). Despite this, 27 percent of Americans believe that no one has ever landed on lunar soil,
- The seven rays in the crown of the Statue of Liberty represent the seven continents,
- The United States Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper,
- The US consumes more oil than any other country in the world,
- Although English is the most widely spoken language in the United States, it does not have an official federal language.
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Of course, you may be missing several factors about the United States in this article. But it would be impossible for Mega Curious to list so many amazing things about this country that is one of the biggest stages in the world in many ways. However, we hope you enjoyed it anyway. To the next!
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