The United States: a land of great opportunities, a destination for immigrants, and a symbol of hope for a better life. Once marked by racial discrimination and repression, it is today one of the most liberal, cosmopolitan, and multicultural countries in the world. Birthplace of Native American culture, the U.S. amazes with the vastness of its landscapes—where the eye gets lost among majestic mountains, lakes as large as seas, endless rivers, huge national parks of wild beauty, sprawling cities, and wide plains that stretch out endlessly.
But more than a country, the U.S. is a continent. Each of its 50 states offers unique surprises worth discovering through multiple trips, allowing one to truly grasp its countless facets. From the elegant and orderly capital Washington D.C.—home to the main government institutions, museums, and memorials of the American Revolution—to the lands of California, where an exciting tour takes you from San Francisco to Los Angeles in a sophisticated mix of history and modernity. East Coast or West Coast? City break or road trip? Once you've solved this dilemma, all that’s left is to hit the road!
LANGUAGE: The official language is American English. The second most spoken language is Spanish, especially in the South, due to its proximity to Mexico.
RELIGION: Christianity is the most widespread religion, with a Protestant majority and a Catholic minority. Other significant groups include agnostics, Mormons, Jews, and Buddhists.
TIME ZONE: Compared to Italy, the U.S. West Coast is 9 hours behind. The East Coast is 6 hours behind. Alaska is 10 hours behind, and Hawaii is 11 hours behind.
DOCUMENTS: You must have an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) at least three days before departure. It is an electronic travel authorization valid for two years, provided you update your information as needed. The cost is $14. To enter the U.S. without a visa, you need an electronic or machine-readable passport, valid for a tourism or business trip of no more than 90 days, with a return ticket.
CURRENCY: The United States Dollar (USD).
Curiosity
The Amish are not an ethnic group, but a Protestant community that split from the Mennonite Church in 1693 in Europe (mainly Switzerland and Alsace). Persecuted and marginalized, they began systematically migrating to the U.S., where today they survive mainly in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. They live in tight-knit farming communities, based on mutual aid, made up of adjoining farms with strict rules and customs reminiscent of the 1800s. Their closed system resists outside influence. In a world obsessed with technology, their refusal to even use electricity certainly makes an impression!
Our advices
TO READ:
An Italian in America by Beppe Severgnini — a witty take on American society from an Italian perspective.
The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper (Einaudi) — an adventure novel set during frequent battles between the French and the British, and between Huron and Mohican natives.
On the Road by Jack Kerouac (Mondadori) — a novel set in the late 1940s featuring the Beat Generation, chronicling a restless journey across the U.S.
TO LISTEN TO: Country music, blues, gospel, jazz, and rock’n’roll — American music is among the most well-known and commercialized in the world.
TO WATCH: Short Cuts, Nashville, and California Split by Robert Altman — three films that offer different portrayals of a multifaceted America.
TO EAT: Americans love fast food: French fries, hamburgers, and hot dogs, often served with a variety of sauces. On certain holidays, traditional dishes include corn and roasted turkey.
United States: start dreaming your trip
Grand Canyon National Park
Hawaii: Napali Coast/Kauai
Chicago by night
Grand Prismatic, Yellowstone National Park/Wyoming
