At 3.79 million square miles (9.83 million km2) in total and with around 315 million people, the United States is the third largest country by land area and population. It is one of the world's most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, the product of large-scale immigration from many countries.
The geography and climate of the U.S. is also extremely diverse, with deserts, plains, forests, and mountains that are also home to a wide variety of wildlife. The United States of America is located in the Northern hemisphere in North America, just south of Canada and north of the Mexican border. It is composed of 50 states: 48 contiguous states and also Alaska and the Hawaiian Islands.
The USA is known for its many freedoms, including freedom of speech and religion, the right to pursue a lifestyle that is independent of the government or the constraints of the law, as long as one also respects the rights of others. It is founded on the Constitution of America and backed up by the Declaration of Independence signed in 1776, which declared the USA an independent country from Great Britain. The USA is known for a wide variety of higher education, rich culture and arts, and laws that respect the common man. People who come to the USA are expected to respect the laws but will find an open welcome to people of all nationalities and peoples to seek out opportunities in its borders.
Climate
The climate in the USA is very diverse. The Southwest is a hot desert climate, very warm during the summer and no lower than 60° F (16 °C) in the winter. The Pacific Northwest has a temperate oceanic climate, with wet falls and winters but dry and cool springs and summers. The North-Central, Midwestern and New England climate is humid continental.
Here there are four strong seasons with sunny hot summers and snowy winters and the temperature can vary from -20°F ( -29°C) in the winter to 90° F (32°C) in the summer. The Southern Plain and the Atlantic Coast have a temperate humid climate with long hot summers and cool winters. Finally, the Southeast has a warm subtropical climate with temperature from 30 to 50° F (-1 to 10°C) in the winter and from 70 to 90°F (21 to 32°C) in the summer.
Society and Cost of Living
The society of the USA is as diverse as the country itself. There is no caste system though some might argue that point, given the current economy. There are many entrepreneurs and wealthy individuals who have made their own fortune, and there are factory workers making minimum wage.
The cost of living has increased in the USA over recent years, but this varies, according to the state you are in. The cost of living in California is much higher than that of Arkansas, for example. Much of this also depends on the specific area of a state you live in. There are many differences for one state to the other, but all of them have advantages and inconveniences.
The USA is a great country with many freedoms for those who choose to make it their place to study or to live. Studying in the USA offers many exciting opportunities.
Health Insurance
Students may be eligible to join a student health insurance plan or find their own private insurance plan. While health insurance costs are high, there is a wide variety of health plans to choose from with insurance companies. It is important to make sure you are insured before you go, for health costs can become really expensive for an international student if you don't have insurance. Much of this information can be easily found online and free estimates are
available. Sometimes specific schools offer plans you can be on while in school. Check with your school to see if this is offered with your university before attending. It can be part of your tuition fees or you might need to pay extra for it.