tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17926803010757338492024-02-19T15:12:54.160-08:00UNITED STATESHafizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166655791260942208noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792680301075733849.post-7369117950647353462011-03-12T03:27:00.000-08:002011-03-12T03:40:27.949-08:00USA Army<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFhNDFaPxzohA87RdUljMCBokei8TmuhFFOraIfdZRuBGthVcP45lDNkTVEurH_Cq93-YeDpKOCUeIo6hp7VEAkL6GDQII3SxQeCKgN9G2CGCe4rfmDl5p9fd9O5tnQQtNuWeV9LrQ4YD/s1600/US_Army_Logo11.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFhNDFaPxzohA87RdUljMCBokei8TmuhFFOraIfdZRuBGthVcP45lDNkTVEurH_Cq93-YeDpKOCUeIo6hp7VEAkL6GDQII3SxQeCKgN9G2CGCe4rfmDl5p9fd9O5tnQQtNuWeV9LrQ4YD/s400/US_Army_Logo11.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583156524713930754" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKe3YyZuVcqIk1_Zg0E4dFSV2KmXusME9iYy8vVqBZ6mNxxfompQET0E_-W4f228gL_1AntAel24VX2VoGCBf5KJ9mv9ob1CP3fUwlfYDMnmpiFdEeWb3MHzJOi-cKGqCJusIpyrVqyjN/s1600/us-army-paratroopers-in-iraq.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKe3YyZuVcqIk1_Zg0E4dFSV2KmXusME9iYy8vVqBZ6mNxxfompQET0E_-W4f228gL_1AntAel24VX2VoGCBf5KJ9mv9ob1CP3fUwlfYDMnmpiFdEeWb3MHzJOi-cKGqCJusIpyrVqyjN/s400/us-army-paratroopers-in-iraq.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583156797245016866" border="0" /></a><br /><h1 style="font-weight: bold;" id="firstHeading" class="firstHeading"><span style="font-size:130%;">United States Army</span></h1>The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services. The modern Army has its roots in the Continental Army which was formed on 14 June 1775, before the establishment of the United States, to meet the demands of the American Revolutionary War. The Congress of the Confederation officially created the United States Army on 3 June 1784 after the end of the revolutionary war to replace the disbanded Continental Army. The Army considers itself to be descended from the Continental Army and thus dates its inception from the origins of that force.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJItCIWO2TcfSHO_gNOZ1lIN25bkw-2P-OWLu9_lqE53CwTcPuv6IneNf7SEYggrDQ5v9_N7apVSVpT5Qpsm_sSXpu0MyuZykXhcEshw1S2N41tMI6psYYTrNyZtW6Ll62bhQLTD6mcHc7/s1600/u-s-army-screensaver.gif.jpeg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJItCIWO2TcfSHO_gNOZ1lIN25bkw-2P-OWLu9_lqE53CwTcPuv6IneNf7SEYggrDQ5v9_N7apVSVpT5Qpsm_sSXpu0MyuZykXhcEshw1S2N41tMI6psYYTrNyZtW6Ll62bhQLTD6mcHc7/s400/u-s-army-screensaver.gif.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583156685455264562" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The primary mission of the Army is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities ... in support of the National Security and Defense Strategies." The Army is a military service within the Department of the Army, one of the three military departments of the Department of Defense. The Army is headed by the Secretary of the Army, and the highest ranking military officer in the department is the Chief of Staff of the Army. In fiscal year 2009, the Regular Army reported a strength of 549,015 soldiers; the Army National Guard (ARNG) reported 358,391 and the United States Army Reserve (USAR) reported 205,297 putting the combined component strength total at 1,112,703 soldiersHafizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166655791260942208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792680301075733849.post-44396961452150975162011-03-12T03:16:00.000-08:002011-03-12T03:23:00.722-08:00USA Visit Visa: Step-by-Step Guide<h3>Step 1. Get a digital photograph of each applicant</h3> <p>A digital photograph is required for while applying for a US visitor visa. The photograph must meet certain criteria. A good photographer or studio can get this picture if you mention photograph needed for US visitor visa purpose. </p> <p> The digital photograph must meet the following requirements: </p><ul class="bullet"><li>The digital photograph must be a square.</li><li>Minimum dimensions must be 600 pixels by 600 pixels.</li><li>Maximum dimensions must be 1200 pixels by 1200 pixels.</li><li>Image must be in color (24 bits per pixel).</li><li>Image must be in the JPEG format (.jpg or .jpeg file extension).</li><li>File size of the image must be less than or equal to 240 kilo</li></ul><h3>Step 2. Complete visitor visa application form DS160</h3> <p> Visitor visa application (form DS160) must be completed online, over the internet. You can complete the application <a href="https://ceac.state.gov/GENNIV/default.aspx" target="_blank">here</a>. </p> <p>After successfully completing the application, you will receive a confirmation with a 10-digit barcode. Take a printout of this page. This will be needed for setting up your visa interview appointment. </p><h3>Step 3. Pay the visitor visa application fee</h3> In India, the fee can be paid only at an authorized HDFC bank branch. Pay the <a href="http://www.path2usa.com/us-visa-fee" title="US Visa Fee" class="a2">US Visa Fee</a> and VFS service charges at any of the designated HDFC bank branches in India. You will need to submit a clear photocopy of the first page (bio-page) of your current passport to the bank when making your payment. The bank will issue you multiple copies of a visa fee receipt with a 10-digit barcode number. You will need the HDFC fee receipt barcode number to schedule your interview appointment. Please note, you are required to wait 24 hours from the date of purchase of your visa fee receipt before you can use it to schedule your interview appointment. <h3>Step 4. Take appointment for visa interview</h3> <p>Use <a href="https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/ApplnForms/RegularUser.aspx" target="_blank">VFS website</a> to set up an appointment with the US embassy or consulate where you will be applying for your visitor visa. You can also walk in to a VFS service center to set up your appointment. </p><h3>Step 5. Go for visa interview at designated US consulate</h3> <p>On the day and time of your appointment for interview, go to the consulate where your interview is scheduled. Carry all mandatory and supporting documents and originals.</p> <p>Carry the following to your interview:</p> <ul class="bullet"><li>Your passport (and your old passports if any)</li><li>Your photograph</li><li>The DS160 barcode page (you will not need the full application)</li><li>The HDFC visa application fee receipts (if applying at a US consulate in India)</li><li>VFS appointment letter</li><li>Supporting documents.</li></ul>Hafizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166655791260942208noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792680301075733849.post-71486625262651430462011-03-12T01:49:00.000-08:002011-03-12T01:59:17.137-08:00USA Student Visa<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4fHd4c-zVo7VMxB2ChnZ7bYLQQeTXyq8djfiTVp1spfGRd8ZIocrrf8vgGYAzGjTD-VSm4b-PvUG83ABE9tSQOmU-IaCdHjJ-LInoJlWa0LKxqSlQaD2dsW5Kkp_Let5Dc6-rEhtvWXzt/s1600/Easiest-Way-To-Get-Usa-Student-Visa.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4fHd4c-zVo7VMxB2ChnZ7bYLQQeTXyq8djfiTVp1spfGRd8ZIocrrf8vgGYAzGjTD-VSm4b-PvUG83ABE9tSQOmU-IaCdHjJ-LInoJlWa0LKxqSlQaD2dsW5Kkp_Let5Dc6-rEhtvWXzt/s400/Easiest-Way-To-Get-Usa-Student-Visa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583129568394493554" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><i><b><span style="color:#008000;"><span style="font-size:100%;">USA Student Visa</span></span></b></i> is dedicated to assisting international students with all their immigration needs. Whether you want to learn English at a ESL school or obtain a degree from a U.S. university, you will need a F-1 student visa.<br /> <br /> We can help you locate a school in the United States that can issue a Form I-20 .<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Obtaining the form I-20 is the first step in the student visa application process. We have an extensive database of schools located throughout the United States, including ESL (English as a Second Language) schools, vocational schools, colleges and universities.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6_J9vLwrKpnnXWAmfz55EQZt5UcU6ze-ri4Eyp-51JVrzDdi78XP2U9c0r6_7QTs9c683aI0PZgN3xyK6j_WXx91WilGuL1VinZ36Zc1OpcJ7HjD-hYCCxBQvQ0ckEMjIdIg8hYEegxU/s1600/usastudentvisa.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6_J9vLwrKpnnXWAmfz55EQZt5UcU6ze-ri4Eyp-51JVrzDdi78XP2U9c0r6_7QTs9c683aI0PZgN3xyK6j_WXx91WilGuL1VinZ36Zc1OpcJ7HjD-hYCCxBQvQ0ckEMjIdIg8hYEegxU/s400/usastudentvisa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583129446134058034" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" ><a href="http://www.usastudentvisa.org/images/bt_start_app.gif">Start Application </a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><br /></div><br /><b> Almost anyone regardless of age or educational background can apply for a F-1 Student Visa to live and study in the United States.</b><br /><br /><div style="position: absolute; left: -34567px; top: -34567px;"> <a href="http://mooviemarket.com/">watch movies online</a> <a href="http://mooviemarket.com/bestsellers.xhtml">the best movies</a> </div> <table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td><br /></td> <td><b><span style="font-size:100%;">How to apply for a Student Visa:</span></b></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"><img src="http://www.usastudentvisa.org/images/bullet_yellow.gif" border="0" width="14" height="15" /></td> <td><a href="https://www.usimmigrationsupport.org/f1-student-visa.html">Download</a> the <a href="https://www.usimmigrationsupport.org/f1-student-visa.html">F-1 Student Visa Application</a> Guide.</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"><img src="http://www.usastudentvisa.org/images/bullet_yellow.gif" border="0" width="14" height="15" /></td> <td>Select where in the Unites States of America you would like to live and study.</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"><img src="http://www.usastudentvisa.org/images/bullet_yellow.gif" border="0" width="14" height="15" /></td> <td>Choose the type of school you would like like to attend, such as: University, College, Graduate School, ESL (English as Second Language) or Vocational School.</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"><img src="http://www.usastudentvisa.org/images/bullet_yellow.gif" border="0" width="14" height="15" /></td> <td>Contact the school and start the admission process.</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"><img src="http://www.usastudentvisa.org/images/bullet_yellow.gif" border="0" width="14" height="15" /></td> <td>Upon acceptance by school, the school will issue you an I-20 form (the required document you need to apply for F-1 student visa).</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"><img src="http://www.usastudentvisa.org/images/bullet_yellow.gif" border="0" width="14" height="15" /></td> <td>With the I-20 form and the <a href="https://www.usimmigrationsupport.org/f1-student-visa.html">F-1 Visa Application Guide</a> you can apply for a student visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are already in the Unites States you may be allowed change your immigration status to student.</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"><img src="http://www.usastudentvisa.org/images/bullet_yellow.gif" border="0" width="14" height="15" /></td> <td>You may be legally authorized to work in the United States while on a F-1 student visa.</td></tr></tbody></table>Hafizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166655791260942208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792680301075733849.post-21404960504315085592011-03-12T01:39:00.000-08:002011-03-12T01:45:39.223-08:00USA Visa Form<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0U2ELjXIZTSUb0VQ1N7rhxyXgsfINKXPzdPEtHjZ7SsnS2_S2Kj3u-xX0m9kG-9yrFyoQZQS6VzcWSgAU146mdA4Pu-6z_KJTlO1QSVnEQhf5D3hV18ADbzyer5qxqLzwHnFOOhi4KRth/s1600/USA_VISA_Form.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0U2ELjXIZTSUb0VQ1N7rhxyXgsfINKXPzdPEtHjZ7SsnS2_S2Kj3u-xX0m9kG-9yrFyoQZQS6VzcWSgAU146mdA4Pu-6z_KJTlO1QSVnEQhf5D3hV18ADbzyer5qxqLzwHnFOOhi4KRth/s400/USA_VISA_Form.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583127173820204146" border="0" /></a><br />Welcome to the Electronic Visa Application Forms Instructions Page. Forms available on this page can be filled out on-line and assist in the processing of your application.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Go Here to Fill Form</span><br /><a href="http://evisaforms.state.gov/">http://evisaforms.state.gov/</a><br /></div>Hafizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166655791260942208noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792680301075733849.post-11148433209919408262011-03-12T01:31:00.000-08:002011-03-12T01:35:05.412-08:00USA Passport Renewal<h3>Renew by Mail if All of the Following are True:</h3> <p><strong>Your Most Recent U.S. Passport:</strong></p> <blockquote> <p><img alt="check image " src="http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_content_images/check.gif" width="16" height="16" /> Is <strong>undamaged</strong> and can be <strong>submitted</strong> with your application<br /><img alt=" " src="http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_content_images/check.gif" width="16" height="16" /><b> </b>Was issued when you were <strong>age 16 or older</strong><br /><img alt=" " src="http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_content_images/check.gif" width="16" height="16" /> Was issued within the last <strong>15 years</strong><br /><img alt=" " src="http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_content_images/check.gif" width="16" height="16" /> Was issued in your <strong>current name</strong> or you can legally document your name change </p> </blockquote> <p>If any of the above statements do not apply to you, you must <a href="http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html" title="">Apply in Person</a></p> <blockquote><strong>A Note on the U.S. Passport Card:</strong> <p style="text-align: justify;">If you are a previous passport book holder and you are eligible to use Form DS-82, you may apply for a passport card as a renewal by mail - even if it is your <strong><em>first</em></strong> passport card! </p> </blockquote> <h3>How to Renew Your U.S. Passport by Mail:</h3> <ul><li><strong>From Inside the United States:</strong> <blockquote> <p><strong>To renew your U.S. Passport by mail,</strong> you must submit <strong>Form DS-82</strong>, <em>Application for a U.S. Passport by Mail</em>. Locate Form DS-82 and step-by-step instructions at <a href="http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/ds82/ds82_843.html" title="">Form DS-82: Application for a U.S. Passport by Mail</a>. </p> <p><strong>How long will it take to process your passport application?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p><strong>IMPORTANT NOTES:</strong></p> <ul><li>If your most recent U.S. passport has been mutilated, altered or damaged, you cannot apply by mail - you must <a href="http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html" title="">Apply in Person</a>. </li><li>We strongly encourage you to mail your passport application and any personal documents using a traceable delivery method. </li><li>In order to protect the contents of your mailing from the elements throughout the delivery process, we strongly encourage you to mail your passport application and any personal documents using a secure means of packaging, such as a Tyvek envelope. </li><li>Passports renewed by mail <b>in</b> the United States may <b>only</b> be mailed to United States and Canadian addresses. </li><li class="lastli">If you are behind in child support payments, you may not be able to get a passport (See <a href="http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppi/family/family_863.html" title="">Child Support</a>). </li></ul> </blockquote> </blockquote> </li><li class="lastli"><strong>From Outside the United States:</strong> <blockquote> <p>U.S. citizens residing <strong>abroad</strong> (except those living in Canada) should renew their passports at the nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate. </p> <p>U.S. citizens residing in <strong>Canada</strong> may submit <a href="http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/ds82/ds82_843.html" title="">Form DS-82: Application for U.S. Passport by Mail</a> to the address listed on the form. </p> </blockquote> </li></ul>Hafizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166655791260942208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792680301075733849.post-14717253464247226282011-03-12T01:24:00.000-08:002011-03-12T01:28:19.717-08:00USA Passport<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhJ7OTuq7S670Fg0QeEv9gZYebXavTRtS1otjvYZeNbiQ-52iajSVjS_FL34IrQNBfvJQwT49xZ-VVKIH-_lGPEtJWtbZwwW-hr_Fd9EcW_mUs9XN18hYKuiYl81ZprKJXtRb0gVdHUbq/s1600/Us-passport.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhJ7OTuq7S670Fg0QeEv9gZYebXavTRtS1otjvYZeNbiQ-52iajSVjS_FL34IrQNBfvJQwT49xZ-VVKIH-_lGPEtJWtbZwwW-hr_Fd9EcW_mUs9XN18hYKuiYl81ZprKJXtRb0gVdHUbq/s400/Us-passport.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583122628270043074" border="0" /></a><br />United States passports are passports issued to citizens and non-citizen nationals of the United States of America. They are issued exclusively by the U.S. Department of State. Besides issuing passports (in booklet form), also limited use passport cards are issued by the same organization subject to the same requirements.<br /><br />U.S. passport booklets are valid for travel by Americans anywhere in the world, although travel to certain countries and/or for certain purposes may require a visa. They conform with recommended standards (i.e., size, composition, layout, technology) of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). There are five types of passport booklets; as well, the Department of State has issued only e-passports as standard since August 2007, though non-biometric passports are valid until their expiry dates.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tdhqOXE7vBQ25hSMz8GGGC4PJXGXEajV_PA584ZwauvbgmV4UcycoE1Mvh95jJndrDGa72H54MdQM6kESOKsQvdqVnBzdXySZZQ1tIxxedZKCywzqNMp9x-qNe7GBsLGzyn4OQjRrBzu/s1600/Passport_Card.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tdhqOXE7vBQ25hSMz8GGGC4PJXGXEajV_PA584ZwauvbgmV4UcycoE1Mvh95jJndrDGa72H54MdQM6kESOKsQvdqVnBzdXySZZQ1tIxxedZKCywzqNMp9x-qNe7GBsLGzyn4OQjRrBzu/s400/Passport_Card.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583122691499138466" border="0" /></a>Hafizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166655791260942208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792680301075733849.post-74007341689365483792011-03-12T01:11:00.000-08:002011-03-12T01:22:30.253-08:00USA Visa<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlPR9mNzAlAWgGB84MsiUqO6_s1XFIQHO753g15oHlpYGmgtzW7jmyCh-usRbbiCoPWF2piiNrPd083vFpldRjav3medjvb_mSREe7JneLpzbI-2cWsydrtZzJS_1GrFH9XqWqEV65hnm/s1600/us-visa.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlPR9mNzAlAWgGB84MsiUqO6_s1XFIQHO753g15oHlpYGmgtzW7jmyCh-usRbbiCoPWF2piiNrPd083vFpldRjav3medjvb_mSREe7JneLpzbI-2cWsydrtZzJS_1GrFH9XqWqEV65hnm/s400/us-visa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583121197510758418" border="0" /></a><br />Immigration to the United States has been a major source of population growth and cultural change throughout much of the history of the United States. The economic, social, and political aspects of immigration have caused controversy regarding ethnicity, economic benefits, jobs for non-immigrants, settlement patterns, impact on upward social mobility, crime, and voting behavior. As of 2006, the United States accepts more legal immigrants as permanent residents than all other countries in the world combined. Since the liberalization of immigration policy in 1965, the number of first- generation immigrants living in the United States has quadrupled, from 9.6 million in 1970 to about 38 million in 2007. 1,046,539 persons were naturalized as U.S. citizens in 2008. The leading emigrating countries to the United States were Mexico, India, and the Philippines, and China.<br /><br />While an influx of new residents from different cultures presents some challenges, "the United States has always been energized by its immigrant populations," said President Bill Clinton in 1998. "America has constantly drawn strength and spirit from wave after wave of immigrants They have proved to be the most restless, the most adventurous, the most innovative, the most industrious of people." Cheap airline travel post-1960 facilitated travel to the United States, but migration remains difficult, expensive, and dangerous for those who cross the United States–Mexico border illegally. Family reunification accounts for approximately two-thirds of legal immigration to the US every year. The number of foreign nationals who became legal permanent residents (LPRs) of the U.S. in 2009 as a result of family reunification (66%) outpaced those who became LPRs on the basis of employment skills (13%) and humanitarian reasons (17%).<br /><br />Recent debates on immigration have called for increasing enforcement of existing laws with regard to illegal immigrants, building a barrier along some or all of the 2,000-mile (3,200 km) U.S.-Mexico border, or creating a new guest worker program. Through much of 2006, the country and Congress was immersed in a debate about these proposals. As of April 2010, few of these proposals had become law, though a partial border fence was approved and subsequently canceled.<br />For More Go To<br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_to_the_United_StatesHafizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166655791260942208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792680301075733849.post-44902976554353156472011-03-12T01:09:00.000-08:002011-03-12T01:11:38.544-08:00USAID<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdMAmOYf6nxLZtg4TyWtgQIVYQBJIDVjfzvCildb5hESb9UvU-Ebmn-4qO211Mp3o_4VgQ7ZzeanlrI0vPTk_OWCYev4U54ZCxwO2Kbw1ES0FMds-xnCPWnGLETbonVuo3YisvaQhHr3Q/s1600/usaid.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 330px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdMAmOYf6nxLZtg4TyWtgQIVYQBJIDVjfzvCildb5hESb9UvU-Ebmn-4qO211Mp3o_4VgQ7ZzeanlrI0vPTk_OWCYev4U54ZCxwO2Kbw1ES0FMds-xnCPWnGLETbonVuo3YisvaQhHr3Q/s400/usaid.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583118563127201458" border="0" /></a><br />The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the United States federal government agency primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid. President John F. Kennedy created USAID in 1961 by executive order to implement development assistance programs in the areas authorized by the Congress in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. An independent federal agency, USAID receives overall foreign policy guidance from the United States Secretary of State and seeks to "extend a helping hand to those people overseas struggling to make a better life, recover from a disaster or striving to live in a free and democratic country."<br /><br />USAID's stated goals include providing "economic, development and humanitarian assistance around the world in support of the foreign policy goals of the United States". It operates in Sub-Saharan Africa; Asia and the Near East, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, and Eurasia.<br />For More Go To<br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Agency_for_International_DevelopmentHafizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166655791260942208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792680301075733849.post-69613372498425230542011-02-07T02:21:00.000-08:002011-02-07T02:21:20.252-08:00Birth Rate Of America<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Continuing a 12-year decline, the U.S. birth rate has dropped to the lowest level since national data have been available, according to statistics just released by the <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/" target="_blank">Centers for Disease Control (CDC)</a>. The rate of births among teenagers also fell to a new record low, continuing a decline that began in 1991.<br />
The birth rate fell to 13.9 per 1,000 persons in 2002, down from 14.1 per 1,000 in 2001 and down a full 17 percent from the recent peak in 1990 (16.7 per 1,000), according to a new CDC report, <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr51/nvsr51_11.pdf" target="_blank">"Births: Preliminary Data for 2002</a>." CDC analysts say the birth rate is dropping as the increasing life span of Americans results in a smaller proportion of women of child childbearing age.<br />
The birth rate among women of peak childbearing age has also been declining. Birth rates for women in their 20s and early 30s were generally down while births to older mothers (35-44) were still on the rise. Rates were stable for women over 45.<br />
Among teenagers, the birth rate fell to 43 births per 1,000 females 15-19 years of age in 2002, a 5-percent decline from 2001 and a 28-percent decline from 1990. The decline in the birth rate for younger teens, 15-17 years of age, is even more substantial, dropping 38 percent from 1990 to 2002 compared to a drop of 18 percent for teens 18-19.<br />
"The reduction in teen pregnancy has clearly been one of the most important public health success stories of the past decade," said Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson in a CDC press release. "The fact that this decline in teen births is continuing represents a significant accomplishment."<br />
More than one fourth of all children born in 2002 were delivered by cesarean; the total cesarean delivery rate of 26.1 percent was the highest level ever reported in the United States.<br />
Among other significant findings included:<br />
<br />
<div id="articlebody"><br />
<li>In 2002, there were 4,019,280 births in the United States, down slightly from 2001 (4,025,933). </li><br />
<li>The percent of low birthweight babies (infants born weighing less than 2,500 grams) increased to 7.8 percent, up from 7.7 percent in 2001 and the highest level in more than 30 years. In addition, the percent of preterm births (infants born at less than 37 weeks of gestation) increased slightly over 2001, from 11.9 percent to 12 percent. </li><br />
<li>More than one-third of all births were to unmarried women. </li><br />
<li>The birth rate for unmarried women was down slightly in 2002 to 43.6 per 1,000 unmarried women, reflecting the growing number of unmarried women in the population. </li><br />
<li>Access to prenatal care continued a slow and steady increase. In 2002, 83.8 percent of women began receiving prenatal care in the first trimester of pregnancy, up from 83.4 percent in 2001 and 75.8 percent in 1990. </li><br />
</div></div>Hafizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166655791260942208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792680301075733849.post-44018224816904365232011-02-07T02:18:00.000-08:002011-02-07T02:18:31.583-08:00Population Growth rate of America<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The rate of national growth is expressed as a percentage for each country, commonly between about 0.1% and 3% annually. You'll find two percentages associated with population - natural growth and overall growth. Natural growth represents the births and deaths in a country's population and does not take into account migration. The overall growth rate takes migration into account.<br />
For example, Canada's natural growth rate is 0.3% while its overall growth rate is 0.9%, due to Canada's open immigration policies. In the U.S., the natural growth rate is 0.6% and overall growth is 0.9%. The growth rate of a country provides demographers and geographers with a good contemporary variable for current growth and for comparison between countries or regions. For most purposes, the overall growth rate is the more frequently utilized.<br />
The growth rate can be used to determine a country or region or even the planet's "doubling time," which tells us how long it will take for a country's current population to double. This length of time is determined by dividing the growth rate into 70. The number 70 comes from the natural log of 2, which is .70.<br />
Given Canada's overall growth of 0.9% in the year 2006, we divide 70 by .9 (from the 0.9%) and yield a value of 77.7 years. Thus, in 2083, if the current rate of growth remains constant, Canada's population will double from its current 33 million to 66 million.<br />
However, if we look at the U.S. Census Bureau's <a href="http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idbsum.html" target="_blank">International Data Base Summary Demographic Data</a> for Canada, we see that Canada's overall growth rate is expected to decline to 0.6% by 2025. With a growth rate of 0.6% in 2025, Canada's population would take about 117 years to double (70 / 0.6 = 116.666).<br />
The world's current (overall as well as natural) growth rate is about 1.14%, representing a doubling time of 61 years. We can expect the world's population of 6.5 billion to become 13 billion by 2067 if current growth continues. The world's growth rate peaked in the 1960s at 2% and a doubling time of 35 years.<br />
Most European countries have low growth rates. In the United Kingdom, the rate is 0.2%, in Germany it's 0.0%, and in France, 0.4%. Germany's zero rate of growth includes a natural increase of -0.2%, without immigration, Germany would be shrinking, like the Czech Republic. <br />
The Czech Republic and some other European countries' growth rate is actually negative (on average, women in the Czech Republic give birth to 1.2 children, which is below the number to yield zero population growth, approximately 2.1 children). The Czech Republic's natural growth rate of -0.1 can not be used to determine doubling time because the population is actually shrinking in size.<br />
Many Asian and African countries have high growth rates. Afghanistan has a current growth rate of 4.8%, representing a doubling time of 14.5 years! If Afghanistan's growth rate remained the same (which is very unlikely and the country's projected growth rate for 2025 is a mere 2.3%), then the population of 30 million would become 60 million in 2020, 120 million in 2035, 280 million in 2049, 560 million in 2064, and 1.12 billion in 2078! This is a ridiculous expectation. As you can see, population growth percentages is better utilized for short term projections.<br />
Increased population growth generally represents problems for a country - it means increased need for food, infrastructure, and services. These are expenses that most high-growth countries have little ability to provide today, let alone if population rises dramatically.<br />
</div>Hafizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166655791260942208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792680301075733849.post-43071816495795224062011-02-07T02:12:00.000-08:002011-02-07T02:12:50.228-08:00Median Age Of American People<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva,helvetica; font-size: x-small;">The median age in America reached its highest point ever at 35.3 years, up from 32.9 years in 1990, according to recently released data from Census 2000. By "median age," the Census Bureau means that half of the American people are now older and half younger than 35.3 years. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva,helvetica; font-size: x-small;">While attributing the jump to aging baby boomers, Census Bureau analysts noted that the 65-and-over population actually increased at a slower rate than the overall population for the first time in the history of the census. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva,helvetica; font-size: x-small;">"While the median age increased by nearly two and a half years between 1990 and 2000," said Campbell Gibson, a senior Census Bureau demographer, "the growth of the population aged 65-and-over was by far the lowest recorded rate of growth in any decade for this age group." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva,helvetica; font-size: x-small;">"The slower growth of the population 65 and over," Gibson said, "reflects the relatively low number of people reaching 65 during the past decade because of the relatively low number of births in the late 1920s and early 1930s." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva,helvetica; font-size: x-small;">The increase in median age from 32.9 years in 1990 to 35.3 in 2000 reflects a 4-percent drop in the number of persons between 18 to 34 years old combined with a 28-percent increase in the population between 35 to 64 years of age. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva,helvetica; font-size: x-small;">The most rapid increase in size of any age group in the profile was the 49 percent jump in the population 45-to-54-years-old. This increase, to 37.7 million in 2000, was fueled mainly by the entry into this age group of the first of the "baby boom" generation (those born from 1946 to 1964).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva,helvetica; font-size: x-small;">Besides data on age, the U.S. profile contains data on sex, household relationship and household type, housing units, and renters and homeowners. It also includes the first population totals for selected groups of Asian, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, and Hispanic or Latino populations.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva,helvetica; font-size: x-small;">The findings above are from a <a href="http://usgovinfo.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.census.gov/Press%2DRelease/www/2001/tables/dp%5Fus%5F2000.PDF"> Census 2000 profile of the U.S. population</a>, released May 15, 2001. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva,helvetica; font-size: x-small;">Here are more highlights from Census 2000 data released to date:</span><br />
<ul><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva,helvetica; font-size: x-small;">
<li>The number of males (138.1 million) edged closer to the number of females (143.4 million), raising the sex ratio (males per 100 females) from 95.1 in 1990 to 96.3 in 2000.</li>
<li>The nation's housing units numbered 115.9 million, an increase of 13.6 million from 1990.</li>
<li>The average household size in 2000 was 2.59, down slightly from 2.63 in 1990.</li>
<li>Of the 105.5 million occupied housing units in 2000, 69.8 million were occupied by owners and 35.7 million by renters; the homeownership rate increased from 64 percent to 66 percent.</li>
<li>The number of non-family households rose at twice the rate of family households 23 percent versus 11 percent.</li>
<li>Families maintained by women with no husband present increased three times as fast as married-couple families 21 percent versus 7 percent. Married-couple families dropped from 55 percent to 52 percent of all households.</li>
</span></ul></div>Hafizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166655791260942208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792680301075733849.post-65762586224839035542011-02-07T01:56:00.000-08:002011-02-07T02:01:37.368-08:00Population of America<div id="replace" style="margin: 0pt 1em 1em 0pt; width: 90%; border-width: 1px medium medium; border-style: solid none none; border-color: rgb(204, 204, 204) -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color;"> According to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, the resident population of the United States, projected to 02/07/11 at 09:59 UTC (EST+5) is<div style="text-align: center;" id="usnumber"><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">310,773,263</span></span></div> </div> <div style="margin: 0pt auto 1em; text-align: center;"> <h3>COMPONENT SETTINGS FOR JANUARY 2011</h3> <pre> One birth every.................................. 8 seconds<br /> One death every.................................. 11 seconds<br /> One international migrant (net) every............ 45 seconds<br /> Net gain of one person every..................... 15 seconds<br /></pre></div>Hafizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166655791260942208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792680301075733849.post-82595012699745436662011-02-06T14:19:00.000-08:002011-02-06T14:19:12.557-08:00Transnational Issue of America<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="width: 598px;"><tbody>
<tr class="na_light"><td height="20" style="background-color: red; color: white;" width="390"><div class="category" id="field" style="padding-left: 5px;"> Disputes - international: </div></td> <td align="right"> </td></tr>
<tr> <td colspan="2" id="data" style="vertical-align: middle;"> <div class="category_data">the U.S. has intensified domestic security measures and is collaborating closely with its neighbors, Canada and Mexico, to monitor and control legal and illegal personnel, transport, and commodities across the international borders; abundant rainfall in recent years along much of the Mexico-US border region has ameliorated periodically strained water-sharing arrangements; 1990 Maritime Boundary Agreement in the Bering Sea still awaits Russian Duma ratification; managed maritime boundary disputes with Canada at Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and around the disputed Machias Seal Island and North Rock; The Bahamas and US have not been able to agree on a maritime boundary; US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased from Cuba and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease; Haiti claims US-administered Navassa Island; US has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the right to do so) and does not recognize the claims of any other states; Marshall Islands claims Wake Island; Tokelau included American Samoa's Swains Island among the islands listed in its 2006 draft constitution</div></td> </tr>
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</td> </tr>
<tr class="na_light"> <td height="20" style="background-color: red; color: white;" width="390"> <div class="category" id="field" style="padding-left: 5px;"> Refugees and internally displaced persons: </div></td> <td align="right"> </td> </tr>
<tr height="20"> <td colspan="2" id="data"> <div class="category">refugees (country of origin): <span class="category_data" style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: top;">the US admitted 62,643 refugees during FY04/05 including; 10,586 (Somalia); 8,549 (Laos); 6,666 (Russia); 6,479 (Cuba); 3,100 (Haiti); 2,136 (Iran) (2006)</span></div></td> </tr>
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</td> </tr>
<tr class="na_light"> <td height="20" style="background-color: red;" width="390"> <div class="category" id="field" style="padding-left: 5px;"> <span style="color: white;">Illicit drugs: </span></div></td> <td align="right"> </td> </tr>
<tr height="20"> <td colspan="2" id="data"> <div class="category_data">world's largest consumer of cocaine (shipped from Colombia through Mexico and the Caribbean), Colombian heroin, and Mexican heroin and marijuana; major consumer of ecstasy and Mexican methamphetamine; minor consumer of high-quality Southeast Asian heroin; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine; money-laundering center</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Hafizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166655791260942208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792680301075733849.post-74692449268644024152011-02-06T14:13:00.000-08:002011-02-06T14:25:09.814-08:00Military of America<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="width: 598px;"><tbody>
<tr class="na_light"> <td height="20" width="390"><div class="category" id="field" style="padding-left: 5px;"><u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Military branches: </span></u></div></td> <td align="right"></td></tr>
<tr> <td colspan="2" id="data" style="vertical-align: middle;"><div class="category_data">United States Armed Forces: US Army, US Navy (includes Marine Corps), US Air Force, US Coast Guard; note - Coast Guard administered in peacetime by the Department of Homeland Security, but in wartime reports to the Department of the Navy (2009)</div></td> </tr>
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</td> </tr>
<tr class="na_light"> <td height="20" width="390"><div class="category" id="field" style="padding-left: 5px;"><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Military service age and obligation: </span></div></td> <td align="right"></td> </tr>
<tr height="20"> <td colspan="2" id="data"><div class="category_data">18 years of age (17 years of age with parental consent) for male and female voluntary service; maximum enlistment age 42 (Army), 27 (Air Force), 34 (Navy), 28 (Marines); service obligation 8 years, including 2-5 years active duty (Army), 2 years active (Navy), 4 years active (Air Force, Marines) (2010)</div></td> </tr>
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</td> </tr>
<tr class="na_light"> <td height="20" width="390"><div class="category" id="field" style="padding-left: 5px;"><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Manpower available for military service : </span></div></td> <td align="right"></td> </tr>
<tr height="20"> <td colspan="2" id="data"><div class="category">males age 16-49: <span class="category_data" style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: top;">73,145,586</span></div><div class="category" style="padding-top: 2px;">females age 16-49: <span class="category_data" style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: top;">71,880,788 (2010 est.)</span></div></td> </tr>
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</td> </tr>
<tr class="na_light"> <td height="20" width="390"><div class="category" id="field" style="padding-left: 5px;"><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Manpower fit for military service : </span></div></td> <td align="right"></td> </tr>
<tr height="20"> <td colspan="2" id="data"><div class="category">males age 16-49: <span class="category_data" style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: top;">60,388,734</span></div><div class="category" style="padding-top: 2px;">females age 16-49: <span class="category_data" style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: top;">59,217,809 (2010 est.)</span></div></td> </tr>
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</td> </tr>
<tr class="na_light"> <td height="20" width="390"><div class="category" id="field" style="padding-left: 5px;">Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: </div></td> <td align="right"></td> </tr>
<tr height="20"> <td colspan="2" id="data"><div class="category">male: <span class="category_data" style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: top;">2,174,260</span></div><div class="category" style="padding-top: 2px;">female: <span class="category_data" style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: top;">2,065,595 (2010 est.)</span></div></td> </tr>
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</td> </tr>
<tr class="na_light"> <td height="20" width="390"><div class="category" id="field" style="padding-left: 5px;"><u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Military expenditures: </span></u></div></td> <td align="right"></td> </tr>
<tr height="20"> <td colspan="2" id="data"><div class="category_data">4.06% of GDP (2005 est.)</div><span class="category" style="padding-left: 7px;">country comparison to the world:</span> <span class="category_data"> 24 </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Hafizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166655791260942208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792680301075733849.post-52414302548998538082011-02-06T14:10:00.000-08:002011-02-06T14:27:01.498-08:00Transportation of America<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Airports: </span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
15,079 (2010)<br />
country comparison to the world: 1<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Airports - with paved runways: </span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
total: 5,194<br />
over 3,047 m: 189<br />
2,438 to 3,047 m: 235<br />
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1,479<br />
914 to 1,523 m: 2,316<br />
under 914 m: 975 (2010)<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Airports - with unpaved runways: </span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
total: 9,885<br />
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7<br />
1,524 to 2,437 m: 155<br />
914 to 1,523 m: 1,752<br />
under 914 m: 7,971 (2010)<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Heliports: </span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
126 (2010)<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Pipelines: </span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
petroleum products 244,620 km; natural gas 548,665 km (2009)<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Railways: </span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
total: 226,427 km<br />
country comparison to the world: 1<br />
standard gauge: 226,427 km 1.435-m gauge (2007)<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Roadways: </span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
total: 6,506,204 km<br />
country comparison to the world: 1<br />
paved: 4,374,784 km (includes 75,238 km of expressways)<br />
unpaved: 2,131,420 km (2008)<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Waterways: </span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
41,009 km (19,312 km used for commerce)<br />
country comparison to the world: 4<br />
note: Saint Lawrence Seaway of 3,769 km, including the Saint Lawrence River of 3,058 km, shared with Canada (2008)<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Merchant marine: </span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
total: 418<br />
country comparison to the world: 26<br />
by type: barge carrier 6, bulk carrier 58, cargo 58, carrier 3, chemical tanker 30, container 87, passenger 18, passenger/cargo 56, petroleum tanker 45, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 27, vehicle carrier 27<br />
foreign-owned: 86 (Australia 1, Bermuda 5, Canada 1, Denmark 34, France 4, Germany 3, Malaysia 2, Norway 10, Singapore 17, Sweden 5, UK 4)<br />
registered in other countries: 734 (Antigua and Barbuda 6, Australia 2, Bahamas 100, Belgium 2, Bermuda 25, Cambodia 4, Canada 9, Cayman Islands 54, Comoros 2, Cyprus 7, Georgia 1, Greece 7, Hong Kong 31, Indonesia 2, Ireland 2, Isle of Man 2, Italy 21, Liberia 39, Luxembourg 3, Malta 35, Marshall Islands 168, Netherlands 15, Norway 9, Panama 102, Portugal 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 19, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 33, South Korea 8, UK 11, unknown 8) (2010)<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Ports and terminals: </span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
cargo ports (tonnage): Baton Rouge, Corpus Christi, Houston, Long Beach, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Plaquemines, Tampa, Texas City<br />
container ports (TEUs): Los Angeles (7,849,985), Long Beach (6,350,125), New York/New Jersey (5,265,058), Savannah (2,616,126), Oakland (2,236,244), Hampton Roads (2,083,278) (2008)<br />
cruise departure ports (passengers): Miami (2,032,000), Port Everglades (1,277,000), Port Canaveral (1,189,000), Seattle (430,000), Long Beach (415,000) (2009)</div>Hafizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166655791260942208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792680301075733849.post-11318452544208824552011-02-06T14:07:00.000-08:002011-02-06T14:31:45.816-08:00Communications of America<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><u><span style="background-color: red;color:white;" > Telephones - main lines in use: </span></u> <br /> Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />141 million (2009)<br />country comparison to the world: 2<br /><span style="background-color: red;color:white;" > Telephones - mobile cellular: </span><br /> Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />286 million (2009)<br />country comparison to the world: 3<br /><span style="background-color: red;color:white;" > Telephone system: </span><br /> Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />general assessment: a large, technologically advanced, multipurpose communications system<br />domestic: a large system of fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and domestic satellites carries every form of telephone traffic; a rapidly growing cellular system carries mobile telephone traffic throughout the country<br />international: country code - 1; multiple ocean cable systems provide international connectivity; satellite earth stations - 61 Intelsat (45 Atlantic Ocean and 16 Pacific Ocean), 5 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 4 Inmarsat (Pacific and Atlantic Ocean regions) (2000)<br /><u><span style="background-color: red;color:white;" > Broadcast media: </span></u><br /> Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />4 major terrestrial television networks with affiliate stations throughout the country, plus cable and satellite networks, independent stations, and a limited public broadcasting sector that is largely supported by private grants; overall, thousands of TV stations broadcasting; multiple national radio networks with large numbers of affiliate stations; while most stations are commercial, National Public Radio (NPR) has a network of some 600 member stations; satellite radio available; overall, nearly 15,000 radio stations operating (2008)<br /><u><span style="background-color: red;color:white;" > Internet country code: </span></u><br /> Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />.us<br /><u><span style="background-color: red;color:white;" > Internet hosts: </span></u><br /> Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />439 million (2010); note - the US Internet total host count includes the following top level domain host addresses: .us, .com, .edu, .gov, .mil, .net, and .org<br />country comparison to the world: 1<br /><u><span style="background-color: red;color:white;" > Internet users: </span></u><br /> Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />245 million (2009)<br />country comparison to the world: 2 </div>Hafizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166655791260942208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792680301075733849.post-86499366495497038292011-02-06T13:57:00.000-08:002011-02-06T13:57:42.581-08:00People Of America<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Population:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
310,232,863 (July 2010 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 3<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Age structure:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
0-14 years: 20.2% (male 31,639,127/female 30,305,704)<br />
15-64 years: 67% (male 102,665,043/female 103,129,321)<br />
65 years and over: 12.8% (male 16,901,232/female 22,571,696) (2010 est.)<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Median age:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
total: 36.8 years<br />
male: 35.5 years<br />
female: 38.1 years (2010 est.)<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Population growth rate:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
0.97% (2010 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 121<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Birth rate:</span></u><br />
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13.83 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 150<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Death rate:</span></u><br />
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8.38 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 90<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Net migration rate:</span></u><br />
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4.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 22<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Urbanization:</span></u><br />
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urban population: 82% of total population (2008)<br />
rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Sex ratio:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
at birth: 1.047 male(s)/female<br />
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female<br />
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female<br />
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female<br />
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2010 est.)<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Infant mortality rate:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
total: 6.14 deaths/1,000 live births<br />
country comparison to the world: 177<br />
male: 6.81 deaths/1,000 live births<br />
female: 5.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Life expectancy at birth:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
total population: 78.24 years<br />
country comparison to the world: 49<br />
male: 75.78 years<br />
female: 80.81 years (2010 est.)<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Total fertility rate:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
2.06 children born/woman (2010 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 125<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
0.6% (2007 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 70<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
1.2 million (2007 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 9<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">HIV/AIDS - deaths:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
22,000 (2007 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 21<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Nationality:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
noun: American(s)<br />
adjective: American<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Ethnic groups:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
white 79.96%, black 12.85%, Asian 4.43%, Amerindian and Alaska native 0.97%, native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.18%, two or more races 1.61% (July 2007 estimate)<br />
note: a separate listing for Hispanic is not included because the US Census Bureau considers Hispanic to mean persons of Spanish/Hispanic/Latino origin including those of Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Dominican Republic, Spanish, and Central or South American origin living in the US who may be of any race or ethnic group (white, black, Asian, etc.); about 15.1% of the total US population is Hispanic<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Religions:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
Protestant 51.3%, Roman Catholic 23.9%, Mormon 1.7%, other Christian 1.6%, Jewish 1.7%, Buddhist 0.7%, Muslim 0.6%, other or unspecified 2.5%, unaffiliated 12.1%, none 4% (2007 est.)<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Languages:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
English 82.1%, Spanish 10.7%, other Indo-European 3.8%, Asian and Pacific island 2.7%, other 0.7% (2000 census)<br />
note: Hawaiian is an official language in the state of Hawaii<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Literacy:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
definition: age 15 and over can read and write<br />
total population: 99%<br />
male: 99%<br />
female: 99% (2003 est.)<br />
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):<br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
total: 16 years<br />
male: 15 years<br />
female: 17 years (2008)<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Education expenditures:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
5.5% of GDP (2007)<br />
country comparison to the world: 46</div>Hafizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166655791260942208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792680301075733849.post-14386083403152589472011-02-06T13:49:00.000-08:002011-02-06T13:49:21.077-08:00Govenment of America<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Country name:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
conventional long form: United States of America<br />
conventional short form: United States<br />
abbreviation: US or USA<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Government type:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
Constitution-based federal republic; strong democratic tradition<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Capital:</span></u><br />
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name: Washington, DC<br />
geographic coordinates: 38 53 N, 77 02 W<br />
time difference: UTC-5 (during Standard Time)<br />
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November<br />
note: the 50 United States cover six time zones<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Administrative divisions:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
50 states and 1 district*; Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia*, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Dependent areas:</span></u><br />
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American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Wake Island<br />
note: from 18 July 1947 until 1 October 1994, the US administered the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; it entered into a political relationship with all four political units: the Northern Mariana Islands is a commonwealth in political union with the US (effective 3 November 1986); the Republic of the Marshall Islands signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 21 October 1986); the Federated States of Micronesia signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 3 November 1986); Palau concluded a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 1 October 1994)<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Independence:</span></u><br />
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4 July 1776 (from Great Britain)<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">National holiday:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
Independence Day, 4 July (1776)<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Constitution:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
17 September 1787, effective 4 March 1789<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Legal system:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
federal court system based on English common law; each state has its own unique legal system of which all but one (Louisiana, which is still influenced by the Napoleonic Code) is based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Suffrage:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
18 years of age; universal<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: #f3f3f3;">Executive branch:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government<br />
head of government: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)<br />
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with Senate approval<br />
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)<br />
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by a college of representatives who are elected directly from each state; president and vice president serve four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held on 6 November 2012)<br />
election results: Barack H. OBAMA elected president; percent of popular vote - Barack H. OBAMA 52.4%, John MCCAIN 46.3%, other 1.3%;<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Legislative branch:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
bicameral Congress consists of the Senate (100 seats, 2 members elected from each state by popular vote to serve six-year terms; one-third elected every two years) and the House of Representatives (435 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)<br />
elections: Senate - last held on 2 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2012); House of Representatives - last held on 2 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2012)<br />
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 51, Republican Party 47, independent 2; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 192, Republican Party 243<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Judicial branch:</span></u><br />
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Supreme Court (nine justices; nominated by the president and confirmed with the advice and consent of the Senate; appointed to serve for life); United States Courts of Appeal; United States District Courts; State and County Courts<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Political parties and leaders:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
Democratic Party [Timothy KAINE]; Green Party; Libertarian Party [William (Bill) REDPATH]; Republican Party [Reince PRIEBUS]<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Political pressure groups and leaders:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
environmentalists; business groups; labor unions; churches; ethnic groups; political action committees or PAC; health groups; education groups; civic groups; youth groups; transportation groups; agricultural groups; veterans groups; women's groups; reform lobbies<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">International organization participation:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), ANZUS, APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CD, CERN (observer), CICA (observer), CP, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, FATF, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAFTA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SECI (observer), SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Flag description:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
13 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; the blue stands for loyalty, devotion, truth, justice, and friendship; red symbolizes courage, zeal, and fervency, while white denotes purity and rectitude of conduct; commonly referred to by its nickname of Old Glory<br />
note: the design and colors have been the basis for a number of other flags, including Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">National anthem:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
name: "The Star-Spangled Banner"<br />
lyrics/music: Francis Scott KEY/John Stafford SMITH<br />
note: adopted 1931; during the War of 1812, after witnessing the successful American defense of Fort McHenry in Baltimore following British naval bombardment, Francis Scott KEY wrote the lyrics to what would become the national anthem; the lyrics were set to the tune of "The Anacreontic Song;" only the first verse is sung</div>Hafizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166655791260942208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792680301075733849.post-69070379684387113312011-02-06T13:41:00.000-08:002011-02-06T13:41:30.658-08:00Geography Of America<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Location:</span></span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Geographic coordinates:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
38 00 N, 97 00 W<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Map references:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
North America<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Area:</span></u><br />
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total: 9,826,675 sq km<br />
country comparison to the world: 3<br />
land: 9,161,966 sq km<br />
water: 664,709 sq km<br />
note: includes only the 50 states and District of Columbia<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Area - comparative:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
about half the size of Russia; about three-tenths the size of Africa; about half the size of South America (or slightly larger than Brazil); slightly larger than China; more than twice the size of the European Union<br />
<span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Land boundaries:</span><br />
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total: 12,034 km<br />
border countries: Canada 8,893 km (including 2,477 km with Alaska), Mexico 3,141 km<br />
note: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba is leased by the US and is part of Cuba; the base boundary is 28 km<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Coastline:</span></u><br />
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19,924 km<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Maritime claims:</span></u><br />
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territorial sea: 12 nm<br />
contiguous zone: 24 nm<br />
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm<br />
continental shelf: not specified<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Climate:</span></u><br />
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<u>Current Weather</u><br />
mostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida, arctic in Alaska, semiarid in the great plains west of the Mississippi River, and arid in the Great Basin of the southwest; low winter temperatures in the northwest are ameliorated occasionally in January and February by warm chinook winds from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Terrain:</span></u><br />
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vast central plain, mountains in west, hills and low mountains in east; rugged mountains and broad river valleys in Alaska; rugged, volcanic topography in Hawaii<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Elevation extremes:</span></u><br />
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lowest point: Death Valley -86 m<br />
highest point: Mount McKinley 6,194 m<br />
note: the peak of Mauna Kea (4,207 m above sea level) on the island of Hawaii rises about 10,200 m above the Pacific Ocean floor; by this measurement, it is the world's tallest mountain - higher than Mount Everest, which is recognized as the tallest mountain above sea level<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Natural resources:</span></u><br />
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coal, copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, rare earth elements, uranium, bauxite, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, zinc, petroleum, natural gas, timber<br />
note: the US has the world's largest coal reserves with 491 billion short tons accounting for 27% of the world's total<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Land use:</span></u><br />
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arable land: 18.01%<br />
permanent crops: 0.21%<br />
other: 81.78% (2005)<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Irrigated land:</span></u><br />
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223,850 sq km (2003)<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Total renewable water resources:</span></u><br />
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3,069 cu km (1985)<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):</span></u><br />
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total: 477 cu km/yr (13%/46%/41%)<br />
per capita: 1,600 cu m/yr (2000)<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Natural hazards:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
tsunamis; volcanoes; earthquake activity around Pacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts; tornadoes in the Midwest and Southeast; mud slides in California; forest fires in the west; flooding; permafrost in northern Alaska, a major impediment to development<br />
volcanism: the United States experiences volcanic activity in the Hawaiian Islands, Western Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and in the Northern Mariana Islands; both Mauna Loa (elev. 4,170 m, 13,678 ft) in Hawaii and Mount Rainier (elev. 4,392 m, 14,409 ft) in Washington have been deemed "Decade Volcanoes" by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Pavlof (elev. 2,519 m, 8,264 ft) is the most active volcano in Alaska's Aleutian Arc and poses a significant threat to air travel since the area constitutes a major flight path between North America and East Asia; St. Helens (elev. 2,549 m, 8,363 ft), famous for the devastating 1980 eruption, remains active today; numerous other historically active volcanoes exist, mostly concentrated in the Aleutian arc and Hawaii; they include: in Alaska: Aniakchak, Augustine, Chiginagak, Fourpeaked, Iliamna, Katmai, Kupreanof, Martin, Novarupta, Redoubt, Spurr, Wrangell; in Hawaii: Trident, Ugashik-Peulik, Ukinrek Maars, Veniaminof; in the Northern Mariana Islands: Anatahan; and in the Pacific Northwest: Mount Baker, Mount Hood<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Environment - current issues:</span></u><br />
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air pollution resulting in acid rain in both the US and Canada; the US is the largest single emitter of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels; water pollution from runoff of pesticides and fertilizers; limited natural fresh water resources in much of the western part of the country require careful management; desertification<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Environment - international agreements:</span></u><br />
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party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling<br />
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Hazardous Wastes<br />
<u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">Geography - note:</span></u><br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
world's third-largest country by size (after Russia and Canada) and by population (after China and India); Mt. McKinley is highest point in North America and Death Valley the lowest point on the continent</div>Hafizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166655791260942208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792680301075733849.post-53081762795337151672011-02-05T13:12:00.000-08:002011-02-05T14:00:24.072-08:00Economy of the United States<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="background-color: red; font-size: large;"> <u style="color: white;">USA Economy Overview</u></span><br />
The US has the largest and most technologically powerful economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $47,400. In this market-oriented economy, private individuals and business firms make most of the decisions, and the federal and state governments buy needed goods and services predominantly in the private marketplace. US business firms enjoy greater flexibility than their counterparts in Western Europe and Japan in decisions to expand capital plant, to lay off surplus workers, and to develop new products. At the same time, they face higher barriers to enter their rivals' home markets than foreign firms face entering US markets. US firms are at or near the forefront in technological advances, especially in computers and in medical, aerospace, and military equipment; their advantage has narrowed since the end of World War II. The onrush of technology largely explains the gradual development of a "two-tier labor market" in which those at the bottom lack the education and the professional/technical skills of those at the top and, more and more, fail to get comparable pay raises, health insurance coverage, and other benefits. Since 1975, practically all the gains in household income have gone to the top 20% of households. The war in March-April 2003 between a US-led coalition and Iraq, and the subsequent occupation of Iraq, required major shifts in national resources to the military. Soaring oil prices between 2005 and the first half of 2008 threatened inflation and unemployment, as higher gasoline prices ate into consumers' budgets. Imported oil accounts for about 60% of US consumption. Long-term problems include inadequate investment in economic infrastructure, rapidly rising medical and pension costs of an aging population, sizable trade and budget deficits, and stagnation of family income in the lower economic groups. The merchandise trade deficit reached a record $840 billion in 2008 before shrinking to $506 billion in 2009, and ramping back up to $630 billion in 2010. The global economic downturn, the sub-prime mortgage crisis, investment bank failures, falling home prices, and tight credit pushed the United States into a recession by mid-2008. GDP contracted until the third quarter of 2009, making this the deepest and longest downturn since the Great Depression. To help stabilize financial markets, the US Congress established a $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) in October 2008. The government used some of these funds to purchase equity in US banks and other industrial corporations, much of which had been returned to the government by early 2011. In January 2009 the US Congress passed and President Barack OBAMA signed a bill providing an additional $787 billion fiscal stimulus to be used over 10 years - two-thirds on additional spending and one-third on tax cuts - to create jobs and to help the economy recover. Approximately two-thirds of these funds were injected into the economy by the end of 2010. In March 2010, President OBAMA signed a health insurance reform bill into law that will extend coverage to an additional 32 million American citizens by 2016, through private health insurance for the general population and Medicaid for the impoverished. In July 2010, the president signed the DODD-FRANK Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, a bill designed to promote financial stability by protecting consumers from financial abuses, ending taxpayer bailouts of financial firms, dealing with troubled banks that are "too big to fail," and improving accountability and transparency in the financial system - in particular, by requiring certain financial derivatives to be traded in markets that are subject to government regulation and oversight. In late 2010, the US Federal Reserve Bank (The Fed) announced that it would purchase $600 billion worth of US Government bonds by June 2011, in an attempt to keep interest rates from rising and snuffing out the nascent recovery.<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>GDP (purchasing power parity): </u></div><div class="category_data"><br />
$14.72 trillion (2010 est.)</div><span class="category" style="padding-left: 7px;">country comparison to the world:</span> <span class="category_data"> <a alt="Country comparison to the world" href="https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2001rank.html?countryName=United%20States&countryCode=us&regionCode=na&rank=2#us" title="Country comparison to the world"> 2 </a> </span> <br />
<div class="category_data" style="padding-top: 3px;">$14.33 trillion (2009 est.)</div><div class="category_data" style="padding-top: 3px;">$14.72 trillion (2008 est.)</div><div class="category" style="padding-top: 2px;"><i>note:</i> <span class="category_data" style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: top;">data are in 2010 US dollars</span></div><br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>GDP (official exchange rate):</u></div>$14.62 trillion (2010 est.)<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>GDP - real growth rate:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
2.8% (2010 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 133<br />
-2.6% (2009 est.)<br />
0% (2008 est.)<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>GDP - per capita (PPP):</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
$47,400 (2010 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 10<br />
$46,700 (2009 est.)<br />
$48,300 (2008 est.)<br />
note: data are in 2010 US dollars<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>GDP - composition by sector:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
agriculture: 1.2%<br />
industry: 22.2%<br />
services: 76.7% (2010 est.)<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Labor force:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
153.9 million<br />
country comparison to the world: 4<br />
note: includes unemployed (2010 est.)<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Labor force - by occupation:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
farming, forestry, and fishing: 0.7%<br />
manufacturing, extraction, transportation, and crafts: 20.3%<br />
managerial, professional, and technical: 37.2%<br />
sales and office: 24%<br />
other services: 17.7%<br />
note: figures exclude the unemployed (2009)<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Unemployment rate:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
9.6% (2010 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 107<br />
9.3% (2009 est.)<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Population below poverty line:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
12% (2004 est.)<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Household income or consumption by percentage share:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
lowest 10%: 2%<br />
highest 10%: 30% (2007 est.)<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Distribution of family income - Gini index:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
45 (2007)<br />
country comparison to the world: 42<br />
40.8 (1997)<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Investment (gross fixed):</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
12.8% of GDP (2010 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 142<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Public debt:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
58.9% of GDP (2010 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 36<br />
53.5% of GDP (2009 est.)<br />
note: data cover only what the United States Treasury denotes as "Debt Held by the Public," which includes all debt instruments issued by the Treasury that are owned by non-US Government entities; the data include Treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data exclude debt issued by individual US states, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of Treasury borrowings from surpluses in the trusts for Federal Social Security, Federal Employees, Hospital Insurance (Medicare and Medicaid), Disability and Unemployment, and several other smaller trusts; if data for intra-government debt were added, "Gross Debt" would increase by about 30% of GDP<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Inflation rate (consumer prices):</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
1.4% (2010 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 34<br />
-0.3% (2009 est.)<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Central bank discount rate:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
0.5% (31 December 2009)<br />
country comparison to the world: 137<br />
0.86% (31 December 2008)<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Commercial bank prime lending rate:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
3.25% (31 December 2009 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 149<br />
5.09% (31 December 2008 est.)<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Stock of narrow money:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
$1.74 trillion (31 December 2010 est)<br />
country comparison to the world: 5<br />
$1.722 trillion (31 December 2009 est)<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Stock of broad money:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
$12.39 trillion (31 December 2009)<br />
country comparison to the world: 3<br />
$12.46 trillion (31 December 2008)<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Stock of domestic credit:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
$32.61 trillion (31 December 2009 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 1<br />
$31.53 trillion (31 December 2008 est.)<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Market value of publicly traded shares:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
$15.08 trillion (31 December 2009)<br />
country comparison to the world: 1<br />
$11.74 trillion (31 December 2008)<br />
$19.95 trillion (31 December 2007)<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Agriculture - products:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
wheat, corn, other grains, fruits, vegetables, cotton; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish; forest products<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Industries:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
highly diversified, world leading, high-technology innovator, second largest industrial output in world; petroleum, steel, motor vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Industrial production growth rate:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
3.3% (2010 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 96<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Electricity - production:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
4.11 trillion kWh (2008 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 1<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Electricity - consumption:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
3.873 trillion kWh (2008 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 1<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Electricity - exports:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
24.08 billion kWh (2008 est.)<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;">Electricity - imports:</div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
57.02 billion kWh (2008 est.)<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Oil - production:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
9.056 million bbl/day (2009 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 3<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Oil - consumption:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
18.69 million bbl/day (2009 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 1<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Oil - exports:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
1.704 million bbl/day (2008 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 13<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Oil - imports:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
11.31 million bbl/day (2008 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 1<br />
<u><br />
</u><br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Oil - proved reserves:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
19.12 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 14<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Natural gas - production:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
593.4 billion cu m (2009 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 1<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Natural gas - consumption:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
646.6 billion cu m (2009 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 1<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Natural gas - exports:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
30.35 billion cu m (2009 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 9<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Natural gas - imports:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
106.1 billion cu m (2009 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 1<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Natural gas - proved reserves:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
6.928 trillion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 6<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Current account balance:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
-$561 billion (2010 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 190<br />
-$378.4 billion (2009 est.)<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Exports:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
$1.27 trillion (2010 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 4<br />
$1.069 trillion (2009 est.)<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Exports - commodities:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
agricultural products (soybeans, fruit, corn) 9.2%, industrial supplies (organic chemicals) 26.8%, capital goods (transistors, aircraft, motor vehicle parts, computers, telecommunications equipment) 49.0%, consumer goods (automobiles, medicines) 15.0%<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Exports - partners:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
Canada 19.37%, Mexico 12.21%, China 6.58%, Japan 4.84%, UK 4.33%, Germany 4.1% (2009)<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Imports:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
$1.903 trillion (2010 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 1<br />
$1.575 trillion (2009 est.)<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Imports - commodities:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
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)<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Imports - partners:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
China 19.3%, Canada 14.24%, Mexico 11.12%, Japan 6.14%, Germany 4.53% (2009)<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
$NA (31 December 2010 est.)<br />
$130.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Debt - external:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
$13.98 trillion (30 June 2010)<br />
country comparison to the world: 1<br />
$13.75 trillion (31 December 2008)<br />
note: approximately 4/5ths of US external debt is denominated in US dollars; foreign lenders have been willing to hold US dollar denominated debt instruments because they view the dollar as the world's reserve currency<br />
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:<br />
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
$2.581 trillion (31 December 2010 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 1<br />
$2.41 trillion (31 December 2009 est.)<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
$3.597 trillion (31 December 2010 est.)<br />
country comparison to the world: 1<br />
$3.367 trillion (31 December 2009 est.)<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: red; color: white;"><u>Exchange rates:</u></div>Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.<br />
British pounds per US dollar: 1 (2010), 0.6504 (2010), 0.6494 (2009), 0.5302 (2008), 0.4993 (2007), 0.5418 (2006)<br />
Canadian dollars per US dollar: 1.0346 (2010), 1.1548 (2009), 1.0364 (2008), 1.0724 (2007), 1.1334 (2006)<br />
Chinese yuan per US dollar: 6.7852 (2010), 6.8249 (2009), 6.9385 (2008), 7.61 (2007), 7.97 (2006)<br />
euros per US dollar: 0.7715 (2010), 0.7338 (2009), 0.6827 (2008), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006)<br />
Japanese yen per US dollar: 88.67 (2010), 94.5 (2009), 103.58 (2008), 117.99 (2007), 116.18 (2006)<br />
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</tbody></table></div>Hafizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166655791260942208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792680301075733849.post-3398503317864358892011-02-05T11:28:00.000-08:002011-02-05T11:34:11.481-08:00Oklahoma's Crisis: Too Many Women Behind Bars<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuVcQVufZhFBaJjy0qnYyh4_Jjt_EnmEHJ0oThbipNJ2z-kfkdbCRfm6V4gJIFQJtQW6PmjMYCKuVIVVUHdFBmVmoS9uf4a5N0u6jF79kRksIsmvYka1g3Pdu1rmEeLxvm6TfTimByKvg/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuVcQVufZhFBaJjy0qnYyh4_Jjt_EnmEHJ0oThbipNJ2z-kfkdbCRfm6V4gJIFQJtQW6PmjMYCKuVIVVUHdFBmVmoS9uf4a5N0u6jF79kRksIsmvYka1g3Pdu1rmEeLxvm6TfTimByKvg/s400/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570290896090648594" border="0" /></a>Oklahoma has a woman problem. The state currently incarcerates 132 women for every 100,000 females in the state — almost double the national average. In fact, Oklahoma has the highest rate of female incarceration in the country, with about 67% of the more than 2,700 women incarcerated for nonviolent offenses. But at an annual cost of $26,000 per inmate, imprisonment doesn't come cheap, especially for a corrections system that is so overextended it was recently forced to eliminate visitations due to employee furloughs. <p>To compound the problem, three out of every 10 Oklahoma children have at least one parent in prison, according to the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, and children with at least one incarcerated parent are five times more likely to go to prison at some point in their life. <span class="see"><a href="http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1916427,00.html" target="_blank">(See California's prison crisis.)</a></span></p> <p>Candice Weaver, 28, knows what prison is like. Growing up in a household where her mother drank and both parents partied constantly, Weaver was raised to believe that drug use wasn't necessarily bad. "I was taught that if you were a functioning addict, you weren't as bad as a hardcore addict who couldn't function and hold a job," says the mother of an 11-year-old boy. She has now spent a combined total of about five years in Oklahoma state prisons stemming from her addiction to drugs — everything from alcohol and marijuana to PCP, cocaine and heroin. Her most recent arrest was for soliciting prostitution and possession of a controlled substance. </p> <p>And then there's Kimberly Cummings. She was 16 when she first began using methamphetamines. She continued to take the drug through two abusive marriages and the birth of her three children, now 18, 15 and 7. In April 2009, officers arrested Cummings, 39, after finding a methamphetamine lab in her Tulsa County home. She was charged with endeavoring to manufacture the drug. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison. <span class="see"><a href="http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1890642,00.html" target="_blank">(See how Bolivia keeps mothers and children together, in prison.)</a></span></p> <p>Both Weaver and Cummings were on their way to becoming part of Oklahoma's incarceration statistic until a Tulsa-based program called Women in Recovery stepped in. Weaver has been in the program for eights months, while Cummings graduated in July 2010 sober, with a place to live and a job as an executive assistant, and her children back in her life.</p> <p>Rather than send a woman to prison, where she may or may not be able to get adequate drug treatment, Women in Recovery tries to break the cycle of drug and alcohol abuse by treating nonviolent women before they are sentenced to prison. As part of the program, the women wear ankle monitors in the beginning to track their whereabouts, update the judicial system on their progress regularly; they also spend the night in halfway houses (studies show that most women in Oklahoma prisons have a history of sexual abuse and domestic violence). If they are successful and graduate, the women will get their sentences deferred.</p> <p>Diversion programs like Women in Recovery show that not everyone is against second chances, says Cummings, who was one of the first female offenders in the state to avoid prison for endeavoring to manufacture. "Though Oklahomans are perceived to be 'lock them up and throw away the key,' that's not always what they want." </p> <p>In fact, the program has helped inspire a Republican bill in the Oklahoma legislature. Authored by House Speaker Kris Steele, it requires the Department of Corrections to create a similar diversion program through a public-private partnership as well as re-entry programs in the state for primary caregivers. Although it is not gender specific, Steele notes that females are more often than not the primary caregivers. "My hope is that it will lead to additional correctional reforms to reconsider policies and how it's [the incarceration rate] affecting the budget," Steele says. <span class="see"><a href="http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1989083,00.html" target="_blank">(See inside the world's most humane prison.)</a></span></p> <p>Women in Recovery is an attempt to break a pattern of addiction before prison helps ingrain it. "Offenders are often put back in the same environment. We want to separate them from their past," says Mimi Tarrasch, director of Women in Recovery. The George Kaiser Family Foundation, which focuses on reversing the cycle of poverty, developed the initial concept of the program and has given more than $3.2 million to Women in Recovery since it began in June 2009. "Our charitable focus is early intervention to reverse the cycle of poverty so that most of our activities surround the wellbeing of young children. Clearly, the strong attachment between mother and child is central to that purpose," Kaiser, a lifelong Tulsan who Forbes ranked as the 29th richest person in America, says in an e-mail.</p> <p>So far, 14 women have completed Women in Recovery, receiving a variety of services, including substance abuse treatment, parenting skills training, life skills, job support and health and dental care. Sixty-one women are enrolled in the program that lasts up to one year, which has hopes of expanding to 100 participants during 2011. The women who have graduated from or are currently in the program have 158 children. Eleven women have failed to complete the program, mostly because they were not ready to deal with their addiction. "You have to be ready to change everything about your addiction. It's a significant change," says Tarrasch, who leads special projects at Tulsa's Family & Children's Services, which administers Women in Recovery.</p> <p>Women in Recovery is a collaborative process that includes judges, district attorneys and public defenders, says Amy Santee, senior program officer of the George Kaiser Family Foundation. As a private practice lawyer, Kurt Glassco saw what Women in Recovery did for a client he was representing. Since becoming Tulsa District County Court Judge in October 2009, he has given several eligible women the chance at recovery instead of several years behind bars. "We put too many women in penitentiary," he says. "Most are for bogus checks, bad [prescriptions], and now, meth. Meth is everywhere."</p>Hafizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166655791260942208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792680301075733849.post-61062599841478504872011-02-04T15:35:00.001-08:002011-02-04T16:33:29.903-08:00Obama's First Two Years: An Inside View<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-_AN7OLDtEOLWm0NxLmeSqy2DTTe-mUil9nQ5CNE0Bbce7_ReitouOGfbKGyWlg2lzwr2tr_yeZ-7kO8iPH4irvzrKxwLAvy_g8cI0AQjOtN3rSg6B98phTPVt9Dgeuwim4avonuG64O/s1600/12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-_AN7OLDtEOLWm0NxLmeSqy2DTTe-mUil9nQ5CNE0Bbce7_ReitouOGfbKGyWlg2lzwr2tr_yeZ-7kO8iPH4irvzrKxwLAvy_g8cI0AQjOtN3rSg6B98phTPVt9Dgeuwim4avonuG64O/s400/12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569984099257546402" border="0" /></a>"The President has made several trips to Walter Reed Army Medical Center and several other hospitals," Souza writes, "where he visits wounded soldiers and personally awards Purple Heart medals. Although I do take photographs of him meeting these soldiers, we make these pictures only available to the soldiers themselves. Here, he's about to enter the room of a wounded soldier who received a Purple Heart."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCLYI1bdsCYzfzJEDHoKX2sffliZHlQhnDKeW5oYMm3yJBG8GWblRetk0vy54HLe2lvVsGTMdPmXMEdDx-PiB_AnoPb4McyKWYDJ5FBr9ItDVKfmUUcm3hkyj8fK4Ttmey4DevKDptHma/s1600/21.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCLYI1bdsCYzfzJEDHoKX2sffliZHlQhnDKeW5oYMm3yJBG8GWblRetk0vy54HLe2lvVsGTMdPmXMEdDx-PiB_AnoPb4McyKWYDJ5FBr9ItDVKfmUUcm3hkyj8fK4Ttmey4DevKDptHma/s400/21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569982875719466594" border="0" /></a>"This job is all about access and trust," Souza says in the <span style="font-style: italic;">National Geographic</span> book <span style="font-style: italic;">The President's Photographer</span>, "and if you have both of those you're going to make interesting, historic pictures. And I think I have both of those. The kind of relationship I have with [Obama], how close I am to him, I don't think it is as important as those two."<div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ldTQXZOnDLQuu5Fmezre-N3K1qzAa_RK5Nr1BNzxz9nx3b-jYn6trCCoGeZ9SmhBnoGqlR7z-OYGlCQDEEM4yNsZbeeECpNyF318K8_SyD1TNKf5mlgmGXBvhtdXbWAyQWjZjpwRMLhi/s1600/20.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ldTQXZOnDLQuu5Fmezre-N3K1qzAa_RK5Nr1BNzxz9nx3b-jYn6trCCoGeZ9SmhBnoGqlR7z-OYGlCQDEEM4yNsZbeeECpNyF318K8_SyD1TNKf5mlgmGXBvhtdXbWAyQWjZjpwRMLhi/s400/20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569982653471958770" border="0" /></a>"Visiting the Great Buddha of Kamakura, in Japan, the President had some green tea ice cream bar with his hosts. He had visited this Buddha as a young child and said he remembered sitting in the exact same place having an ice cream bar."<div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TwzTw49bu0BhCdc2QDGfzinKvlTBRDHat_e4hA7vPt-EYQcbdmDhrOLCnzHUQJvBOUcq7PwrK5pgLrb55HBxjF58AL7TF59b4ZZZ1nXGw7VoNdt8_0rUnw9vgSrBJCY8sbm6_qkt2Ei8/s1600/19.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TwzTw49bu0BhCdc2QDGfzinKvlTBRDHat_e4hA7vPt-EYQcbdmDhrOLCnzHUQJvBOUcq7PwrK5pgLrb55HBxjF58AL7TF59b4ZZZ1nXGw7VoNdt8_0rUnw9vgSrBJCY8sbm6_qkt2Ei8/s400/19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569982651457036642" border="0" /></a>"After a day filled with meetings, the President headed to the White House basketball court to shoot a few baskets with his personal aide Reggie Love. Before heading back to the Oval, he flipped the ball towards the rim just where the afternoon light was falling." <div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6GnmKSSNnfdzHZOPDGFU9lDQwDdHGac2jqb4jUolR8q1hRdJP5l8LxlLsz7lvy3r-BZ2zM6ZYU1Rdco0ruD9jM6EurzKw0t5uyyYERSI72K1xvbEiL9Lg4BfXX7UEp_deO6xBObPVclX/s1600/18.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6GnmKSSNnfdzHZOPDGFU9lDQwDdHGac2jqb4jUolR8q1hRdJP5l8LxlLsz7lvy3r-BZ2zM6ZYU1Rdco0ruD9jM6EurzKw0t5uyyYERSI72K1xvbEiL9Lg4BfXX7UEp_deO6xBObPVclX/s400/18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569982644493703906" border="0" /></a>"On the day of the health care reform vote, a Saturday, the President punched his fists in the air when he stopped in his chief of staff's office to monitor the staff's progress in lobbying members of Congress to vote for the bill." <div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBEngHTYZ3PBMOHIBb3xCjmdW0770szcaz8nTgjBXgRPgVnFrEBcz_-iOm8pDdSKcj8V3TDQEsQL5dusiQ-WShv3EQddZJkgexU3QUqts71BpIWqdmTAktmUHgxzEPQcOqJWvIWsK8Gu1/s1600/17.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBEngHTYZ3PBMOHIBb3xCjmdW0770szcaz8nTgjBXgRPgVnFrEBcz_-iOm8pDdSKcj8V3TDQEsQL5dusiQ-WShv3EQddZJkgexU3QUqts71BpIWqdmTAktmUHgxzEPQcOqJWvIWsK8Gu1/s400/17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569982635037007378" border="0" /></a>This photograph was taken during the period the President was lobbying Congress for passage of his health care reform bill. On this night, Souza writes, "The President returned to the Oval Office after dinner, to continue pressing Congressmen to vote for the health care reform bill. In those final days before the vote, the President made hundreds of calls." <div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbT6ljLfCnKQqVx-fFcmvmw_odmKa02F9RkKzNWCN2iICCQUX83h7DdWtyrC8AyCXBRri8jY3F9IMxKazYaD-bf20ZXE22Bc-A9ZUQjdOVYFGaWiRd48ggVmgoJwRLr74gVHJDoZ-KOwy/s1600/16.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbT6ljLfCnKQqVx-fFcmvmw_odmKa02F9RkKzNWCN2iICCQUX83h7DdWtyrC8AyCXBRri8jY3F9IMxKazYaD-bf20ZXE22Bc-A9ZUQjdOVYFGaWiRd48ggVmgoJwRLr74gVHJDoZ-KOwy/s400/16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569982638242779346" border="0" /></a>Souza says:<br />"We were walking through a locker room at the University of Texas when White House trip Director Marvin Nicholson stopped to weigh himself on a scale. Unbeknownst to him, the President was stepping on the back of the scale, as Marvin continued to slide the scale lever. Everyone but Marvin was in on the joke." <div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8fIP3lxlNWj2KnVAOgkya5vXHmxENFzViYsJYHMwVDZddihdOgYFq1AbfH7K4qfKYKDtj_Wuva-UGdSObs_Pljp9dmTKUvum8yb713vcW0t2PUFxz_27tbqtps6_z3yYV6ropL3cyQK1/s1600/15.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8fIP3lxlNWj2KnVAOgkya5vXHmxENFzViYsJYHMwVDZddihdOgYFq1AbfH7K4qfKYKDtj_Wuva-UGdSObs_Pljp9dmTKUvum8yb713vcW0t2PUFxz_27tbqtps6_z3yYV6ropL3cyQK1/s400/15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569982290065688114" border="0" /></a>Souza made this shot as the President was leaving the State Floor after an event. Discovering his daughter Sasha in the elevator, ready to head upstairs to the private residence, "he decided to ride upstairs with her before returning to the Oval Office." <div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQ4qYfMQyVvN1cOW3vkuw_W9ilWzj1LkVGKL-0kY2QGCubP3dQvzX5awM4-QCqwO_CYOS68ZSvEvtTLNSIPxI5Uw9Hgsdizq8pUuZvHnSGQDDR__D6im-oBw8yo94-t8sdmXJQBg0n6aX/s1600/14.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQ4qYfMQyVvN1cOW3vkuw_W9ilWzj1LkVGKL-0kY2QGCubP3dQvzX5awM4-QCqwO_CYOS68ZSvEvtTLNSIPxI5Uw9Hgsdizq8pUuZvHnSGQDDR__D6im-oBw8yo94-t8sdmXJQBg0n6aX/s400/14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569982279280992834" border="0" /></a>The First Lady greets a young visitor to the White House during a surprise visit to the Blue Room with the family dog, Bo. Souza is the chief of a small team of photographers hired by the White House to document the presidency. This frame was made by his colleague Samantha Appleton on the day of the first anniversary of the inauguration.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5jUR1WgGqYM1EEMgvnzw0SL50X-TnOHEUovrQkOCpejY5R1i98aXsFv0IGxh8iFx8My46ma-sHD5o1GzWp0Z7bf3T1GiwG0Y4G3NvNTYaKpFM4SqniTNoxmSfJrj2CcJ527C6kqJd2P-/s1600/13.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5jUR1WgGqYM1EEMgvnzw0SL50X-TnOHEUovrQkOCpejY5R1i98aXsFv0IGxh8iFx8My46ma-sHD5o1GzWp0Z7bf3T1GiwG0Y4G3NvNTYaKpFM4SqniTNoxmSfJrj2CcJ527C6kqJd2P-/s400/13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569982277920731698" border="0" /></a>This shot was made when the President "arrived back at the Westchester County Airport in New York, headed back to Washington. Because of the configuration of the helicopter, everyone had to board before the President. So he waited for a few minutes in the motorcade, illuminated by the interior light, until everyone was situated." <div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvXJxWN_3m8Zm4gOpaHWaDocetoYVDais-X8pXutCSl8lbleYNb2ApRwWIObB3rk79oCjJUKxoRbFEAeE39w86RETyjXR8ls7_RYJw8Rhpd4_jdwmqUcopL2H5DtAW05oEZ2Dj66e1aYc/s1600/11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvXJxWN_3m8Zm4gOpaHWaDocetoYVDais-X8pXutCSl8lbleYNb2ApRwWIObB3rk79oCjJUKxoRbFEAeE39w86RETyjXR8ls7_RYJw8Rhpd4_jdwmqUcopL2H5DtAW05oEZ2Dj66e1aYc/s400/11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569982272505654498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br />This photo was taken less than two weeks after Obama's inauguration by Pete Souza, the Chief White House photographer. Souza was covering a meeting of the President with Vermont Governor Jim Douglas. Before the meeting, White House valets had moved the couches in the Oval Office to accommodate all the press who covered the event. "When the photo-op ended," Souza explains, "the President said to Gov. Douglas, 'let's move the sofas back in place.' Gov. Douglas didn't quite know what to do as the President did the heavy lifting. The valets now good-naturedly cringe when they look at this picture because it was their responsibility to move the sofas back in place." <div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br /></div>Hafizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166655791260942208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792680301075733849.post-90786000467663978342011-02-04T15:15:00.000-08:002011-02-04T15:29:21.261-08:00Scenes from Obama's State of the Union<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWs_ES8fygGO-3mhfP17FtLM6mzb0efFDXkpDH8oDBCgg-dQDOwolYilRaxXszzYqtoHO63W7wMMvrrO7ZHeuztOZPmMJWWFmdjkwf9c1Vdw9xRwULw6dLu6loz5FdVfKhDs423UDvZjzP/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWs_ES8fygGO-3mhfP17FtLM6mzb0efFDXkpDH8oDBCgg-dQDOwolYilRaxXszzYqtoHO63W7wMMvrrO7ZHeuztOZPmMJWWFmdjkwf9c1Vdw9xRwULw6dLu6loz5FdVfKhDs423UDvZjzP/s400/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569980315580714994" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJHKleS7mV0Je85PlS4TUWJI1v159aqg5NLjAem7rnX24op_s36EPAuHn_LNvY9olBT1paJkxu-rQmtDk6BCkwR_hMpa2YSgFZYUx_hCxmO484NdfQlCFeoB7bqdYGa6quRf5nuFGYR5R/s1600/9.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJHKleS7mV0Je85PlS4TUWJI1v159aqg5NLjAem7rnX24op_s36EPAuHn_LNvY9olBT1paJkxu-rQmtDk6BCkwR_hMpa2YSgFZYUx_hCxmO484NdfQlCFeoB7bqdYGa6quRf5nuFGYR5R/s400/9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569980302680355202" border="0" /></a>Hafizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166655791260942208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792680301075733849.post-66516702419067676282011-02-04T06:52:00.001-08:002011-02-04T06:59:57.567-08:00Picture of WeeksBangladeshi Muslims try to return home after attending one of the world's largest religious gatherings, the three-day Islamic Congregation on the banks of the River Turag in Tongi, near Dhaka, Bangladesh.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dz-SVTnWxm4x3z4QX7xmcT_oAxdzwDoy7rmx4bO6jiSqNiapKIjXamxOjUJW50ji7ogDT4cm2qLoxs6jhfARm0qGaOlao1X9r0t62wz4qZ4u0vu-i_g8wwlhosqAeSid9p-ntg1WJiz-/s1600/7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dz-SVTnWxm4x3z4QX7xmcT_oAxdzwDoy7rmx4bO6jiSqNiapKIjXamxOjUJW50ji7ogDT4cm2qLoxs6jhfARm0qGaOlao1X9r0t62wz4qZ4u0vu-i_g8wwlhosqAeSid9p-ntg1WJiz-/s400/7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569849134137342290" border="0" /></a><br /><br />An injured Pakistani boy lies on the ground, mobile phone in hand, at the site of a suicide bombing in Lahore, Pakistan.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6PCXjM7j-W7ehxmxe1tVSjbXoF2aL6ExfRpH3_7KcvQk_mgyLmLn97r74YUmt1xf6hqMYsCdZD47ifSr8U-FpcYXivqRyVBLIslB0ElTTQoE6hxHRnQ48P1L3GuGZ1KUpWE6lI-pXZ8c/s1600/6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6PCXjM7j-W7ehxmxe1tVSjbXoF2aL6ExfRpH3_7KcvQk_mgyLmLn97r74YUmt1xf6hqMYsCdZD47ifSr8U-FpcYXivqRyVBLIslB0ElTTQoE6hxHRnQ48P1L3GuGZ1KUpWE6lI-pXZ8c/s400/6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569847509659797810" border="0" /></a>Hafizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166655791260942208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792680301075733849.post-57233131502113282982011-01-11T04:39:00.000-08:002011-01-11T04:51:12.455-08:00USA Maps<a href="http://www.maplandia.com/united-states/"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.maplandia.com/united-states/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" >Click Here For Detailed USA Map</span></b></a></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjGE2VF7DVqNUMvlon3rfdQ0a6QGzrvyRgavp2CHzh2K6JLfpV8urViDYAeEGjXwpPscRDtAxTyig-LUtN1JnGHTtBpZKB6NWM1Asys1t4fRIPEk7pihyX2fEeX3NTIqQa_0jJgIDoDB4/s400/1259850613_usa_atlas_map.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560908933514404258" />Hafizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166655791260942208noreply@blogger.com0