Discovering the US Guide 2022

Government The US is governed by a democratic republic, meaning the government representatives are elected by majority rule. The Federal Government is made up of three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The President is in the Executive branch, the two houses of congress (Senate and House of Representatives) are in the Legislative branch, and the court system is in the Judicial branch. The President is elected every four years, with a maximum of a two-term presidency. The main political parties are the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. Each of the 50 states has its own government with the right to make certain decisions and state laws. Economy The US has a market economy where producers and consumers determine the kinds of goods and services sold in the market. The US does not have a pure market economy, and the government plays a role when necessary. In 2008, the US suffered a major economic downfall known as the Great Recession. While the economy has mostly recovered, many Americans are still cautious with major investments. Weather As the US covers 3.8 million square miles, the weather can vary greatly across the country. Summer is typically June to August, fall is September to November, winter is December to February, and spring is from March to May. Severe Weather Situations Severe weather conditions may occur on occasion Average State Temperatures

depending on location, so it is important to be prepared for your family and your home. The National Weather Service (NWS) is the primary source of weather data, forecasts, and warnings for the US television weathercasters and private meteorology companies prepare forecasts using this information.

Communities around the US have siren systems to alert area residents of possible severe weather or other emergencies. Once a month, your community may perform "tests" of these systems which typically involves broadcasting the siren on a designated day of the week at a certain time.

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Discovering the US