COUNTRY STUDY

Country Study



Country Study

United States

Overview

The state called the United States is spread on vast territory of 3.5 million square feet. Miles, representing 6% of the total surface area. This area is distinguished by an extraordinary variety of geographic ranges, commensurable to the whole of Europe. Virginia and North Carolina - just two of the original thirteen united American states - by the size overlap the United Kingdom, all the Japanese island can be squeezed into the boundaries of California, a state corresponds to Ireland by area of South Carolina (which is in magnitude only takes a fortieth place among the fifty states America). Suffice it to say that the largest county in the 48 "lower" states, California San Bernardino, nearly twice as Belgium (Amirahmadi, 1993).

Location

The USA is a federation of 50 states which spans the land mass between the Pacific Ocean and the northern Atlantic. As such, it occupies most of the North American continent, extending from the Alaskan enclave in the west to Maine in the extreme northeast. In the north it borders on Canada, and in the south with Mexico. The west and southwest consist mainly of mountain ranges.

Political Structure

The USA has an executive president, elected for a four-year term of office by universal suffrage, who then selects and directs his own cabinet ("Administration"). The US Congress comprises a 435-member House of Representatives, half of whom are elected every two years, and a 100-member Senate, which serves for six years but a third of which is re-elected every two years. The country has a strong federal structure, and devolves its legal and fiscal system to a considerable extent.

Political Stability and Risks

Spending on Social Security and Medicare (along with Medicaid assistance for low-income individuals) claim more than two-fifths of federal spending and are rising at an unsustainable rate. Because of the high unemployment and low government revenues owing to the weak economy, the funding forecasts for both programmes have been cut back. Prior to the recent reform, Medicare funds were expected to be exhausted by 2017. Funding for social security will last longer - possibly to 2038 - but these needs must also be addressed within the near future (Allen, 2011).

International Issues

Relations with Iran are tense owing to the country's nuclear ambitions. Ties with North Korea are complicated for the same reason. The USA and the EU have some differences over environmental matters. Relationships between Washington and China are becoming increasingly strained owing to the latter's reluctance to let its currency appreciate.

In the western hemisphere, there are tensions between Washington and Mexico and other Central American countries over the sensitive issue of illegal immigration into the USA. Relations with Venezuela are plagued by a number of differences.

Economic Structure and Major Industries

Agriculture accounts for only a tiny portion of GDP and employs just 1.5% of the workforce. Farming is predominately large scale and generally efficient. The USA is a major exporter of foodstuffs and processed foods. Increased productivity is the main driver of agricultural ...