United States: History, Facts, and Global Relationships

Before it was even born, the United States changed its name—from “United Colonies” to “United States of America.” Exactly 50 states define its geography, while friendships and rivalries that stretch back centuries shape its global role. This article cuts through the confusion to answer the questions travelers, history buffs, and curious readers ask most—without the fluff.

Size (land area): 3.8 million sq mi (9.8 million sq km) · Population (2023 est.): 334.9 million · Number of states: 50 · Capital city: Washington, D.C. · Date of founding: July 4, 1776 · Official languages: None at federal level

The data below summarizes essential statistics about the United States.

What is the old name of the USA?

What was the United States called before independence?

Before adopting the current name, the region was commonly referred to as the “Thirteen Colonies” or the “United Colonies of America.” On September 9, 1776, the Second Continental Congress formally adopted the name “United States of America” (Wikipedia (community-reviewed encyclopedia)). Before European colonization, the land was inhabited by diverse Indigenous peoples with their own names for the territories—names that predate any European label by millennia.

The name change signaled unity and secured critical foreign recognition.

Are there 50 or 52 United States?

Why do some people think there are 52 states?

The United States consists of exactly 50 states plus the federal district of Washington, D.C. (Wikipedia (U.S. state overview)). Common misconceptions include counting Puerto Rico, Guam, or other territories as states—they are not. The 50th state, Hawaii, joined the Union on August 21, 1959 (Wikipedia (Hawaii statehood)).

The total has been fixed at 50 since 1959.

What is the oldest city in America?

Which city is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the continental US?

St. Augustine, Florida, was founded by Spanish explorers led by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés on September 8, 1565, making it the oldest continuously occupied European-established settlement in the continental United States (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference publisher)). Juan Ponce de León first discovered the site in 1513 while searching for the Fountain of Youth (Stacker (data-driven storytelling)). Other early cities include Santa Fe, New Mexico (founded 1607) and Jamestown, Virginia (1607), though Jamestown is no longer inhabited (Daily Passport (travel history publication)).

The state-by-state picture varies: Hampton, Virginia (1610) is the oldest continuously inhabited English settlement (Wikipedia (community-reviewed encyclopedia)), while Cheyenne, Wyoming (founded 1867 as a railroad supply depot) is the youngest “oldest city” in any state (Matador Network (travel and culture publication)).

Which city is labeled oldest depends on the historical perspective chosen.

Which country is most friendly to Americans?

Who is America’s oldest friend?

According to the U.S. Department of State, Morocco is recognized as America’s oldest friend due to the 1777 Treaty of Friendship and Commerce—still the longest unbroken friendship treaty in US history (Wikipedia (Morocco–US relations)). Public opinion surveys consistently rank Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia as the countries most friendly toward Americans (Pew Research Center (nonpartisan survey research)). The strong ties with Canada, a top trading partner and neighbor, are further explored in an overview of Canada-U.S. relations.

Which countries are least welcoming to Americans?

Travel advisories and surveys often list Iran, North Korea, Syria, and Venezuela among the least welcoming countries for US citizens (U.S. Department of State (official travel guidance)).

Who is the US’ oldest enemy?

The United Kingdom, while a close ally today, was the young nation’s oldest adversary during the Revolutionary War (1775–1783). The war ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1783, and the two countries have since developed a “special relationship” (Wikipedia (Treaty of Paris context)).

Eight countries, one pattern: the US has historically built its strongest ties with partners that supported its independence (Morocco, France) and now shares cultural or economic bonds with (Canada, UK, Australia). The least welcoming list reflects current geopolitical tensions.

This comparison table highlights the varied relationships.

The pattern shows that historical support and cultural alignment continue to define US alliances. For more information on the history of the United States, you can read about Coles Bacchus Marsh.

Which country is vanished?

Countries That No Longer Exist

In US history, the Confederate States of America (1861–1865) and the Republic of Texas (1836–1845) are two “vanished” countries that were once independent entities (Wikipedia (Confederate States overview)). Globally, countries like the Soviet Union (dissolved 1991), East Germany (reunified 1990), and Yugoslavia (broken up 1992–2006) have vanished from the map (Wikipedia (list of former sovereign states)). The question “Which country is vanished?” often leads to these well-known examples of dissolution and merger. The 1959 addition of Hawaii marked the last time the US map changed, a milestone also covered in our report on U.S. sporting achievements.

Travelers and historians must navigate both objective records and subjective interpretations.

“The 1777 Treaty of Friendship between Morocco and the United States is often cited as the longest unbroken friendship treaty in US history.”

U.S. Department of State (official diplomatic records)

“St. Augustine, founded in 1565, is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city in the continental United States.”

Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference publisher)

“On September 9, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted the name ‘United States of America’.”

Wikipedia (community-reviewed encyclopedia)