History:

After landing on a small island on Oct. 12, 1492, in what he believed were the Indies, Columbus sailed along the coast of Cuba, certain that he had finally reached the continent of Cathay. He searched in vain for the magnificent cities Marco Polo had described, hoping to deliver a letter from the Spanish monarchs to “the great Khan,” the Chinese emperor. “Afterwards,” Columbus wrote on Oct. 21, “I shall set sail for another very large island which I believe to be Cipango, according to the indications I receive from the Indians on board.” Columbus's Japan proved to be the island of Hispaniola.

Education U.S.A:

Advantages:

The USA is the premiere destination for international students from all over the world. The advantages of higher education in the USA are as follows:

Internationally reputed institutions:

The United States has more institutions of higher learning than any other country in the world. More importantly than that, however, is the quality of these academic bodies. Most colleges and universities in America offer top education programs with highly qualified teaching staff. The research at many of these universities is cutting-edge and often published in journals across the globe. Many of the professors at these schools are leading authorities in their field. The list of world-class learning institutions in the USA is endless.

Educational Reputation:

It is of the utmost importance to ensure than the degree from the school you choose is recognized in the place you plan to use it in. Fortunately, American colleges and universities are given professional accreditation by different governing bodies. These schools have to earn their accreditation by meeting certain criteria, helping ensure a quality education, as well as a degree or certificate that is recognized. Most schools in the USA are accredited, though we strongly suggest that you thoroughly find out what each school's accreditation is before deciding. There are thousands of US schools that offer credentials recognized in almost all corner of the world.

Extensive study options:

One of the best things about studying in the United States of America is the vast number of academic options offered to students. Since the USA is such a large country with vast resources, almost every field of study is available in the country. If you can perceive it, you can probably find some place in America to study it.

Global focus:

More and more often, American colleges and universities are focusing on the global aspects of each subject, better preparing students with a worldwide view of their field. No longer can students merely focus on certain geographic areas when obtaining their academic training. Most US learning institutions have recognized this and offer a more comprehensive and global curriculum to meet these new trends.

Campus Environment:

It has been said that the friends and experience obtained during campus life are worth as much as the education itself. Many make friends that last lifetimes. The lessons learned my co-existing and living with others from all over the world are priceless.

Usage of Technology:

Many universities incorporate the latest technology into their curriculum, encouraging students to obtain proficiency before they go out into the workplace. Specialized technology, such as the newest medical equipment in medical schools, allows each student to maximize their true potential and gain experience that is marketable in the real world.

Flexibility:

The school system utilizes credit units and often accommodates working students, most schools offer academic programs that are flexible in nature. This means that, very often, one can choose when to attend classes, how many classes to enroll in each semester or quarter, what elective or optional classes to take, etc. An American education is very conforming to each student's needs.

Culture:

America is a melting pot of people from all over the world. One will find most Americans to be very friendly, kind, generous and accepting of foreigners. There are a few exceptions, as in any country, but these are not the norm. In general, the people are innovative, and eager to learn. These are traits that many international students adopt and take home with them.

Facts and Figures:

Population (2009 EST.):

307,212,123 (growth rate: 0.9%); birth rate: 13.8/1000; infant mortality rate: 6.2/1000; life expectancy: 78.1; density per sq mi: 85
Land area: 3,539,225 sq mi (9,166,601 sq km);
Total area: 3,718,691 sq mi (9,631,420 sq km)
Languages: English 82%, Spanish 11% (2000)

Ethnicity/race:

White: 211,460,626 (75.1%); Black: 34,658,190 (12.3%); Asian: 10,242,998 (3.6%); American Indian and Alaska Native: 2,475,956 (0.9%); Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 398,835 (0.1%); other race: 15,359,073 (5.5%); Hispanic origin:1 35,305,818 (12.5%)

Religions:

Protestant 52%, Roman Catholic 24%, Mormon 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 1%, none 10% (2002)
Literacy rate: 99% (2003 est.)

Economic summary:

GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $13.84 trillion; per capita $45,800.
Real growth rate: 2.2%.
Inflation: 2.9%.
Unemployment: 4.6%.
Arable land: 18%.
Agriculture: wheat, corn, other grains, fruits, vegetables, cotton; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish; forest products.
Labor force: 153.1 million (includes unemployed); farming, forestry, and fishing 0.6%, manufacturing, extraction, transportation, and crafts 22.6%, managerial, professional, and technical 35.5%, sales and office 24.8%, other services 16.5%; note: figures exclude the unemployed (2007).
Industries: leading industrial power in the world, highly diversified and technologically advanced; petroleum, steel, motor vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining.
Natural resources: coal, copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, uranium, bauxite, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, zinc, petroleum, natural gas, timber.
Exports: $927.5 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): agricultural products 9.2% (soybeans, fruit, corn), industrial supplies 26.8% (organic chemicals), capital goods 49.0% (transistors, aircraft, motor vehicle parts, computers, telecommunications equipment), consumer goods 15.0% (automobiles, medicines) (2003).
Imports: $1.727 trillion f.o.b. (2005 est.): agricultural products 4.9%, industrial supplies 32.9% (crude oil 8.2%), capital goods 30.4% (computers, telecommunications equipment, motor vehicle parts, office machines, electric power machinery), consumer goods 31.8% (automobiles, clothing, medicines, furniture, toys) (2003).
Major trading partners: Canada, Mexico, Japan, UK, China, Germany (2004).

Communications:

Telephones: main lines in use: 194 million (1997); mobile cellular: 69.209 million (1998).
Radio broadcast stations: AM about 5,000, FM about 5,000, shortwave 18 (1998).
 Radios: 575 million (1997).
Television broadcast stations: more than 1,500 (including nearly 1,000 stations affiliated with the five major networks—NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, and PBS; in addition, there are about 9,000 cable TV systems) (1997).
Televisions: 219 million (1997).
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 7,000 (2002 est.).
Internet users: 165.75 million (2002).

Transportation:

Railways: total: 194,731 km mainline routes (2000).
Highways: total: 6,334,859 km; paved: 3,737,567 km (including 89,426 km of expressways); unpaved: 2,597,292 km (2000).
Waterways: 41,009 km of navigable inland channels, exclusive of the Great Lakes.
Ports and harbors: Anchorage, Baltimore, Boston, Charleston, Chicago, Duluth, Hampton Roads, Honolulu, Houston, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Port Canaveral, Portland (Oregon), Prudhoe Bay, San Francisco, Savannah, Seattle, Tampa, Toledo. Airports: 14,801 (2002).