50 Facts About United States Of America

Leo Migdal

-Dec 3, 2025, 8:41 AM

Ever wondered what makes the United States so unique? From its sprawling landscapes to its diverse culture, the U.S. is a land of endless surprises. Did you know the country spans six time zones? Or that it’s home to the world’s largest economy? The United States also boasts some of the most iconic landmarks, like the Statue of Liberty and the Grand Canyon.

With 50 states, each with its own quirks and traditions, there's always something new to learn. Whether you're curious about history, geography, or fun trivia, these 50 facts will give you a fresh perspective on this fascinating nation. The United States is a vast country with diverse landscapes and iconic landmarks. Here are some fascinating geographical facts: The U.S. has a rich history and a unique political system.

Here are some key historical and political facts: American culture is a melting pot of influences from around the world. Here are some intriguing cultural and societal facts: The U.S. has been at the forefront of scientific and technological advancements. Here are some notable achievements:

The United States of America is a country consisting of 50 independent states in the northern part of America, sixteen territories and a district of Columbia (Washington D.C.). It is the world’s third most populous country after India and China and the world’s fourth largest country by land area after Russia, Canada, and China. Although Washington D.C. is the capital of the United States, it is not a state. It is a federal district located between Maryland and Virginia. This district is home to the White House and the Capitol building.

Starting in 1790, Washington D.C. has been the center of the federal government and houses all three branches of government. 1. The United States of America is also referred to as “the States”, “the United States”, “the U.S.”, “the USA”, and “America”. 2. In 1783, the United States became the first country to gain independence from a European power.[1]

3. The United States dollar is the present-day currency of the U.S. and its territories. The paper dollar comes in seven denominations, $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. Coins are also a form of currency in the U.S. and come in denominations of 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢, and $1.

Currently, there is more than $2 trillion worth of Federal Reserve notes in circulation. 4. Did you know that the GPS is operated and maintained by the U.S. Air Force? The Global Positioning System is a utility that provides users with positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services. The system consists of three segments: the space segment, the control segment, and the user segment.

Learn more about GPS. Ace any trivia night with these fun facts about America Although the United States is only 250 years old, there’s probably a lot you don’t know about it. The country is so vast, and geographically and culturally diverse, that there are always more interesting facts about the United States to make your jaw drop. Sure, you may be able to name all 50 states—and maybe even their capitals—but plenty of other fun facts about America would astonish you. For instance, you probably know the bald eagle is the country’s official bird, but did you know we have a national mammal as well?

And what about the oldest city in the United States? Nope, it’s not Jamestown, Virginia, or Plymouth, Massachusetts. How about the most popular name in the country over the past century? Chances are, it’s not what you think. Want to know more about the land of the free? You’ve come to the right place.

Here are 50 fun facts about America covering history trivia, geography and much more. Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more fun facts, holiday tips, humor, cleaning, travel and tech all week long. Commonly known to many worldwide as America, the USA, or simply the U.S., the United States of America was founded on July 4, 1776, after gaining independence from Great Britain. It has a population of 331,449,281 people (as of 2020), making it the 3rd most populous country in the world. The U.S. is located primarily in the North American continent, bordered by Canada to the north and Mexico to the south.

With a total of 3,796,742 square miles (9,833,520 square kilometers) of land and water, it is the 3rd largest country in the world, ranking behind Russia and Canada, respectively. The most populous city in the U.S. is New York City, while the country’s capital is Washington, D.C. You think you know America? The land of Hollywood, the Statue of Liberty, and a self-proclaimed Emperor who ruled for 25 years? What if I told you that Pepsi once owned a fleet of warships?

Or that there’s a town in Oregon called ‘Boring’ that’s officially partnered with a town in Scotland called ‘Dull’? Get ready to have your view of the United States turned upside down. We’re counting down 50 surprising, shocking, and downright weird facts about America that you probably didn’t learn in history class. Let’s get started. Fact 1: The United States once had an Emperor. It sounds like a tall tale, but for 25 years, San Francisco was watched over by its very own emperor.

In 1859, a failed businessman named Joshua Norton declared himself “Emperor of these United States.” Instead of being laughed out of town, the people of San Francisco just rolled with it. Emperor Norton I became a local celebrity, rocking a military-style uniform, inspecting the city streets, and even issuing his own currency, which many local shops actually accepted. He famously issued decrees ordering the U.S. Congress to dissolve, and while the government ignored him, the local papers printed them. His reign showed that San Francisco was a place where eccentricity wasn’t just tolerated it was celebrated. Fact 2: Pepsi once acquired a Soviet naval fleet.

In a wild twist of Cold War economics, PepsiCo briefly became the owner of a formidable naval fleet. By the late 1980s, Pepsi was huge in the Soviet Union, but the ruble was worthless internationally. So, they bartered. At first, Pepsi traded its soda for Stolichnaya vodka to sell in the U.S. But as the deal grew, the Soviets needed a new way to pay. In 1989, they offered Pepsi a deal for a fleet of warships, including 17 submarines, a cruiser, a frigate, and a destroyer.

This led to the popular myth that Pepsi had the world’s 6th largest navy. While a fun story, it was an exaggeration. Pepsi’s CEO famously joked to the National Security Advisor, “We’re disarming the Soviet Union faster than you are.” The company had no plans for a cola war on the high seas; they immediately sold... The United States of America stands as one of the world’s most fascinating countries, boasting an incredible array of unique characteristics, surprising historical events, and remarkable achievements that have shaped both the nation and... From its diverse geography spanning multiple climate zones to its rich cultural heritage formed by people from every corner of the earth, America continues to captivate people worldwide with its endless capacity for innovation,... These 80 fun facts about the United States reveal the extraordinary stories, unusual traditions, and amazing accomplishments that make America truly one of a kind.

The United States is the only country in the world that contains all five major climate zones: tropical (Hawaii and southern Florida), dry (southwestern deserts), temperate (most of the continental US), continental (northern states... This incredible geographic diversity allows Americans to experience everything from tropical beaches to arctic tundra within their own national borders, making the US one of the most climatically diverse nations on Earth. In 1867, Secretary of State William Seward negotiated the purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, which equals about $125 million in today’s currency. Many Americans initially called it “Seward’s Folly” because they thought buying a frozen wasteland was foolish, but Alaska has since provided billions of dollars in natural resources including oil, gold, and fish. The purchase price worked out to approximately 2 cents per acre, making it one of the greatest real estate deals in history. The Grand Canyon in Arizona is so massive that it could theoretically hold the entire current population of Earth if every person stood shoulder-to-shoulder in its expanse.

Measuring 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and over a mile deep, this natural wonder was carved by the Colorado River over millions of years. The canyon reveals nearly 2 billion years of Earth’s geological history in its colorful rock layers, making it both a natural marvel and a geological textbook. Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872 as the world’s first national park, sits atop one of the largest active volcanic systems on Earth. The Yellowstone Caldera measures approximately 34 by 45 miles and last erupted catastrophically about 640,000 years ago. This supervolcano is responsible for the park’s famous geysers, hot springs, and fumaroles, with Old Faithful being the most famous geyser that erupts approximately every 90 minutes with remarkable regularity. The United States is big, busy, and full of surprises, from icy Alaska to sunny Florida and island Hawaii.

50 Facts About United States Of America

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