United States

Did you know?

Americans make up 5 per cent of the world’s population but use 24 per cent of the world’s energy, 15 per cent of its meat and 28 per cent of its paper. The average American uses four times the world’s average of energy, almost three times as much water, produces more than twice the average amount of rubbish and five times the amount of carbon dioxide.

The rapid development of technology in the US has led to a two-tier labour market. People without professional and technical skills do not get the same pay rises, health insurance, and benefits of those with these skills. Since 1975, almost all rises in household income have gone to the top 20 per cent of households.

The adjective American is  always used in English to refer to people living in the United States. It should not be used to describe Canadians or South Americans.

The term United States was originally treated as a plural (“the United States are…”). This changed to the singular after the end of the Civil War.