美国国家概况与文化PDF电子书下载

Part One A General Introduction to the United States of America 1

Chapter 1 Geographical Situation and Topographical Features 1

1.1 Situation,size,region and time zones 1

1.2 Plains and mountains 4

1.3 Rivers and lakes 6

Chapter 2 The Immigrant Nation 9

2.1 Population 9

2.2 Ethnics 9

2.3 Main cities 13

Chapter 3 History(1) 33

3.1 Discovery of America 33

3.2 British colonies in North America 34

3.3 The revolution of American Independence 37

Chapter 4 History(2) 42

4.1 Expansion of American territories 42

4.2 The American Civil War 44

4.3 America and the two World Wars 47

Chapter 5 Political System 53

5.1 The U.S.Constitution 53

5.2 Separation of powers 57

Chapter 6 The Two-Party System and the Election of American President 69

6.1 The Two-Party System 69

6.2 The election of American President 72

Chapter 7 American Economy 78

7.1 Features of American economy 78

7.2 Sectors in US economy 82

7.3 American agriculture 86

Part Two American Culture 91

Chapter 8 American Cultural Values 91

8.1 Multicultural heritage 91

8.2 Traditional American values and beliefs 92

8.3 Cultural regions 99

Chapter 9 Education in the United States 107

9.1 A brief introduction 107

9.2 Orientation and characteristics 109

9.3 Education system 111

9.4 Problems in education 119

Chapter 10 Science and Technology 123

10.1 Development of science and technology in America 123

10.2 Research institutions and scientists 126

Chapter 11 American Literature 136

11.1 A panorama of American literature 136

11.2 Poetry 140

11.3 Fiction 145

11.4 Drama 153

Chapter 12 American Art 158

12.1 The fine arts 158

12.2 Film 164

Chapter 13 Sports and Games in America 171

13.1 Sports and American values 171

13.2 Popular sports in the United States 171

13.3 Recreations and individual sports 176

Chapter 14 Mass Media in America 178

14.1 Newspapers and magazines 178

14.2 Radio,television and internet 183

Chapter 15 Religions and Beliefs 189

15.1 Religion and society 189

15.2 Religion and politics 192

15.3 Major religious sects in America 193

Chapter 16 Social Life 203

16.1 American family and family problems 203

16.2 Food and drinks 209

16.3 Etiquettes at dinner table 211

16.4 Some social etiquettes 213

Chapter 17 Holidays and Festival Customs 219

17.1 Federal holidays 219

17.2 Other holidays or festivals 227

References 231