The biggest cities in the United States



The biggest cities in the United States

Read short descriptions of some of the biggest and the most important cities in the US and be ready to tell your groupmates about them

1. Los Angeles is the largest city on the west coast and the second most populous city in the USA preceded only by New York. It currently has a population of nine million and an area of 480 square miles. How can one describe this city of contrasts, with every possible type of architecture where skyscrapers contrast with the Mexican quarter? It was created in 1781 by the Governor of California and was called in Spanish-The Town of Our Lady, the Queen of the Angels - Los Angeles for short. The main growth of Los Angeles did not begin until after the arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1876 and the Santa Fe Railroad in 1885. From 1890 to 1940, Los Angeles was the focus of a prosperous orange-growing area and developed as a resort. The city's population doubled in the 1920s, as new discoveries enriched the oil industry and Hollywood became the centre of the film industry. Aircraft manufacturers became the city's primary engines of growth during and after World War II. Developers bought up cheap land and built whole new communities, such as Lakewood, for the growing workforce, while old housing in Watts and south-central Los Angeles became home to incoming blacks and Hispanics. These ghettos became a symbol of American urban ills such as unemployment, housing decay, and poverty. The district of Watts exploded in protest riots in August 1965; 34 people died. One of the worst riots in US history erupted in south-central Los Angeles in April 1992 after the acquittal of four white police officers charged with the videotaped beating of a black suspect, Rodney King; 58 people died in the rioting. In April 1993, two of the police officers were convicted for their roles in the beating of King, and the two other officers were acquitted.

In late October and early November 1993, bushfires spread through parts of the Los Angeles metropolitan area and destroyed thousands of hectares of property. In January 1994, an earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale struck Los Angeles. The quake caused three major motorways to collapse, disabling the city's road system. Fifty-seven people were killed, and thousands of buildings were damaged or destroyed.

The parks of Los Angeles contain many of the city's recreational and cultural facilities. The El Pueblo de Los Angeles State Historic Park includes the Plaza Church (1822) and the lively Mexican shops of Olvera Street. Hancock Park is the site of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the George C. Page La Brea Discoveries Museum. Griffith Park contains the Los Angeles Zoo and the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum. Exposition Park is the site of a museum of science and industry; a natural history museum; and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, home of the Los Angeles Raiders American football team. Elysian Park, in central Los Angeles, is the location of Dodger Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.

Other points of interest in Los Angeles include the Armand Hammer Museum of Art and Cultural Center; the History Center of the California Historical Society; the Southwest Museum, featuring a collection of Native American artefacts; the Museum of Contemporary Art; and the Hollywood Bowl - an amphitheatre. The Civic Center, a massive complex of government buildings, includes the Los Angeles City Hall and the Music Center for the Performing Arts Complex. Popular among tourists are the Farmers Market, an open-air bazaar of shops and restaurants; Chinatown; Little Tokyo; and the film studios located in Hollywood and nearby Burbank and Culver City. Two communities on the outskirts of LA Beverly Hills and Hollywood Hills are home to many celebrities.

THIS paragraph summarizes the text on Los Angeles. Supply the missing information

Los Angeles was… in 1781 by the Governor of California. The main growth of the city began after… of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1876. Los Angeles… as a resort. One of the worst… in US history erupted in south-central LA in April 1992 after…of four white police officers…with…of a black suspect.

In January 1994, a…measuring 6.7 on…struck Los Angeles.

The parks of Los Angeles contain many of the city's… and cultural…. Exposition Park is the sight of a land natural history museum. Other points of interest include the southwest Museum featuring a…of Native Americans… .

Popular among tourists is the Farmer Market, an…bazaar of…and… .

2. New York is a true attraction on its own. It is difficult to describe and understand. You can say anything you like about it and always be right. If you listen to different people talking about it they can each describe a different town. For some, it is a centre for art, music and theatre, for others, a city of finance and politics. New York is America's most populous city, and one of the world's leading commercial, financial, and cultural centres. New York is subdivided into five boroughs; in descending order of area, the boroughs are Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, the Bronx, and Manhattan. Almost all of the Bronx is situated on the mainland, but the other boroughs are situated on, or comprise, islands. In all, New York comprises some 50 islands. In postal addresses, New York City is synonymous with Manhattan.

New York has been the first glimpse of American city life for the 12 million foreigners who arrived in New York harbor during the wave of European immigration between 1892 and 1924. The first destination of many tourists to the USA today is this "gateway to America". The population of the city remains more racially and ethnically diverse than many areas of the United States. In 1990, the population of New York was 52 per cent white, 29 per cent black, 7 per cent Asian and Pacific Islander, and 12 per cent other races. Those of Hispanic origin comprised 24 per cent of the total population. The latest influx is from post-Communist Russia. Land area, 800 sq km. Population 7,311,966.

New York is a financial, commercial, manufacturing, and tourist centre. A national focus of road, rail, water, and air transport, it also contains the headquarters of many major corporations. The financial district of Lower Manhattan, centred on Wall and Broad streets, includes the New York Stock Exchange (1817) and a United States Federal Reserve bank as well as other prominent banking, brokerage, and financial institutions. Much domestic and international trade is conducted in New York's offices. Two international airports: Guardia and John F. Kennedy, both in Queens, major air-cargo terminals, and large amounts of freight pass through the city's port facilities.

Wholesale and retail trade are important to New York's economy. The city is particularly noted for its many retail outlets, including large department stores and specialized shops. Fifth and Madison avenues, in Manhattan, are especially famous for their elegant shops.

As a manufacturing centre, New York is a national leader in the production of clothing (notably in the Garment District of Midtown Manhattan on the West Side), printed materials, and processed foods. Other principal products include wood, paper, and metal goods, machinery, chemicals, and textiles.

New York, and particularly Manhattan, boasts many distinguished architectural sites. Skyscrapers dominate the skyline; the Flatiron Building, completed in 1902, was one of the first in the city. Others include the Chrysler Building (1930), the Woolworth Building (1915), the Empire State Building (1931), the group of buildings that constitute Rockefeller Center (1931). Older structures include Gracie Mansion (late 18th century), now the mayor's residence, and City Hall (1802-1811). Among the city's well-known churches are St Patrick's Cathedral (1879), the Cathedral Church of St John the Divine (1892) New York's most famous landmark is the Statue of Liberty (1886) on Liberty Island; Ellis Island, from 1892 to 1954 was the point of entry of immigrants to the United States; Grand Central Terminal (1913) is the main railway station; and the vast United Nations complex is along the East River in Midtown Manhattan. Professional baseball teams play at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx (New York Yankees), and Shea Stadium in Queens (New York Mets). Other major sports facilities in the city include Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, home of the New York Knickerbockers (Knicks) basketball and New York Rangers ice hockey teams. The New York Islanders ice hockey team plays in Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in nearby Uniondale.

Among the leading art museums are the vast Metropolitan Museum of Art; the Museum of Modern Art; the Frick Collection; the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and the Whitney Museum of American Art. Other museums include the American Museum of Natural History; the Jewish Museum; El Museo del Barrio, devoted to the culture of Puerto Rico and Latin America; the Studio Museum in Harlem, exhibiting works by black artists; and the National Museum of the American Indian. The centre of the city's theatre district is Times Square, with more than 30 theatres. Near the south-western corner of Central Park is the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, a large cluster of buildings that includes the Metropolitan Opera House; Avery Fisher Hall, home of the Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York, commonly known as the New York Philharmonic; the New York State Theater, where the New York City Ballet and New York City Opera perform.

In September 2003 New York suffered a large-scale interruption of electric power through a technical failure in the electrical power system, which brought wide media attention around the world. For more than 24 hours New York City citizens were without electricity.

How much have you learn? Complete the sentences

1 New York is

a.the 1st destination of tourists to the USA today.

b.a small town

c.has never been very important to the US economy

2. New York is subdivided into- boroughs

a.8

b.9

c.5

3.The New York Stock Exchange and a US Federal Reserve bank are situated:

a.on Wall street

b.on Madison avenue

c.on 25th street

4.The first skyscraper in New York was built in 1902, it was-

a.the Chrysler Building

b.the Empire State Building

c.the Flatiron Building

5.The United Nations complex is

a.on Liberty Island

b.in the Bronx

c.along the Esat River

6. On Madison avenue one can find

a.the leading art museums

b.elegant shops

c.Yankee Stadium

7.The centre of New York theatre district is

a.Times Square

b.Central Park

Harlem

8.The works by black artists are exhibited in

a.S.R.Guggenheim Museum

b.El Museo del Barrio

c.the Studio Museum

When to Go and What to Do in New York City

New York is a year-round destination, so there isn't really an 'off-season' when local prices drop substantially. Winter bargains are sometimes available for airfares to the city and some major hotels offer packages during the slower months from January to mid-March. If you want to base your decision solely on the weather, generally the nicest and most temperate time to visit is from mid-September to mid-October along with all of May and early June. Unfortunately, as these months are popular with tourists, hotel prices are scaled accordingly.

NYC Popular Events

Hardly a week goes by without a special event taking place in New York. In fact, there are some 50 officially recognized parades each year, along with more than 400 street fairs. Most of these fairs offer a rather unremarkable selection of fast-food stands, house plants, athletic socks and cheap belts, however, so don't go out of your way. Times Square's New Year's Eve festivities are probably the most famous in the world; less popular is the 5 mile (8km) midnight run in Central Park. On 5 January, thousands of children wander up 5th Ave, in a cavalcade of sheep, camels and donkeys, for the Three Kings Parade . The St Patrick's Day Parade down 5th Ave on 17 March has been held every year for 200 years.

In mid-May the International Food Fair clogs 9th Ave, while in June Tibetan Monks discuss transcendental matters in Central Park as part of Change Your Mind Day . The JVC Jazz Festival is also held in June, as is the free NY Shakespeare Festival , where some of the screen's biggest stars do the bard in Central Park.

On 4 July Independence Day fireworks spectacle in the East River. The city's premier black neighborhood celebrates Harlem Week in August, and on Labor Day over one million people take part in the Caribbean Day parade in Brooklyn, the biggest single event for the year. The New York Film Festival also takes place in September. Thanksgiving Parade in November is always popular, and for more festive cheer don't miss the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting on the following Tuesday.

Ex. Supply the missing information:

1. All in all there are about…official parades and about…street fairs in New York City.

2. If you want to attend New Year festivities on Times Square, you must go to NYC in…

3. Every March, 17 …..Parade is held on 5th Av.

4. You will attend the Change Your Mind Day events if you happen to be in NYC in…

5. The biggest single event of the year in NYC is…

6. In September you can enjoy the finest feature films and documentaries at the…

Statue of Liberty- the most famous monument in the world.

It is a colossal statue on Liberty Island located in the harbour of New York. The statue and the island were declared a national monument in 1924. The statue symbolizes liberty and is in the form of a woman who holds a torch in her right hand and carries in her left a book inscribed “July 4, 1776”; broken chains, symbolizing the tyranny, lie at her feet.

The statue is one of the largest in the world. It measures 93.5 m from the bottom of the pedestal to the tip of the torch. The figure itself is 46.4 m high; the right arm is 12.8 m long; the hand is 5.03 m long; and the head, which is reachable by staircase or lift, measures 8.5 m from neck to diadem. The statue weighs 250 tons.

Originally conceived as a gesture of international friendship, the statue has become a global symbol of freedom, marking the arrival of millions of immigrants to the United States.

Liberty island is reachable through the ferry service. The ferry ride is about 40 mn however the passengers should allow 3 hours to visit the Statue of Liberty because of the long lines to board the ferry. Please be aware that large packages and suitcases are not permitted on the ferry or on the island. Visitors and their belongings are subject to inspection. The security service appreciates the patience and understanding of travellers of these procedures and the additional time they require.

Test yourself: Answer the questions:

1. Where is the Statue of Liberty located?

2. What does the Statue hold in her right hand?

3. What can you see at her feet?

4. Can tourists enjoy the view from the top of the statue?

Ex. Complete the sentences, use the data from the text:

1. The statue is considered to be one of the largest in the world because…

2. The statue is regarded as the symbol of freedom because…

Petrified Forest National Park is a surprising land of scenic wonders and fascinating science. The park features one of the world's largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood.

The Park was established in 1962. It covers 378.4 sq km and contains six separate “forests” of fallen petrified coniferous tree trunks. Some trunks are 2 m in diameter and exceed 30 m in length. One log forms a natural bridge, Agate Bridge, with a span of 12 m. The trees originally grew in the Triassic Period (225 to 195 million years ago), when the region was a marshland. Killed by natural processes, the trees were buried by sediment and penetrated by waters rich in silica. Gradually the wood fibres were replaced by silica and other minerals, and the logs were converted to stone. Traces of iron, manganese, and carbon stained the silica so that the logs are brilliantly coloured.

Located in northeastern Arizona, Petrified Forest National Park is about 3.5 hours driving time from either Phoenix, Arizona (344 km) or Albuquerque, New Mexico (320km).

Travel through the park is by private vehicle, bicycle, motorcycle, or commercial tour only. The park road, parking lots are suitable for large recreation vehicles, including those towing smaller vehicles.

The park road allows visitors to travel through the park from end to end without backtracking. The park is a photographer’s delight!

Test yourself: supply the missing information:

1. The Petrified Forest National Park was established in…and covers…

2. There are actually…”forests” of…tree trunks.

3. One petrified log forms a…with a span of…

4. These petrified trees are…to…million years old.

5. When the trees died they were penetrated by…rich in…, silica replaced… and the logs were converted to…

6. The Park is in…, about …km away from Phoenix.

7. You can travel through the park by…

Visit the John F. Kennedy Space Center- the principal United States launching site for earth satellites and space flights, Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The day tour of the Kennedy Space Center includes the tour of NASA's Launch Headquarters, two IMAX films, all shows and exhibits, and a visit to the Astronaut Hall of Fame. The tour includes stops at the four-story Observatory where tourists get a bird's eye view of the Space Shuttle launch pads and parts of the world's busiest space launch facility.

The second tour stop is the acclaimed Apollo Center, where visitors will walk beneath a massive Saturn V rocket, relive Neil Armstrong's first steps on the moon, and experience the thunderous rumble of a Saturn V moon rocket lift off.

The day continues with IMAX movie screenings of "The Dream is Alive," where tourists experience life in space, or "Space Station 3-D," which takes them on a virtual trip to the International Space Station in a fully immersive big-screen environment.

Visitors may also enjoy the many other shows and exhibits at the Visitor Complex, including a chance to meet a real astronaut at the Astronaut Encounter Show, and enjoy the live-action show "Mission to Mars 2025."

The day is topped off with a visit to the Astronaut Hall of Fame, located at the entrance to the Kennedy Space Center. This attraction features the world's largest collection of personal astronaut mementos, historic spacecraft, one-of-a-kind space legacies, and hands-on activities. Visitors may choose either to sit in a mission control console or take a virtual moonwalk.

Hours of Operation

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is open every day of the year, except December 25 and certain launch days. Current operating hours are from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. The Astronaut Hall of Fame is open from 10 am to 7:00 pm.

The Kennedy Space Center is located on the Atlantic Ocean in Cape Canaveral - 45 minutes east of Orlando.

Test yourself: Complete the sentences:

1. If you want a bird’s eye view of the Space shuttle launch place, go to…

2. At the IMAX theatre you can see…

3. If you would like to meet a real astronaut, you should attend the…

4. If you want to experience a virtual moonwalk, you definitely should visit the…

5. The Kennedy Space Centre is open… except…

Yellowstone National Park the oldest and largest national park in the United States. It extends from north-western Wyoming into south-western Montana and eastern Idaho. It was established in 1872 and covers 8,983 sq km. Located in the central Rocky Mountains, it is known for its spectacular geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, and canyons. The Yellowstone River traverses the region from south to north, flowing into Yellowstone Lake and then through the famous Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The river descends into the canyon in two spectacular falls about 34 and 95 m. The yellow canyon walls rise abruptly from the river as high as 335 m.

The best-known features of the park are its more than 3,000 geysers and hot springs, the greatest concentration of such phenomena in the world. Old Faithful is the most celebrated of the park's geysers. At intervals of 37 to 93 minutes, it erupts for about 4 minutes, in a column of steam and hot water that rises up to 52 m; approximately 37,000 to 45,000 litres of water are expelled at each eruption. Other geysers include the Giant, the highest, which erupts at irregular intervals, throwing up a jet of hot water more than 61 m into the air; and the Giantess, which erupts for more than 4 hours, about twice a year.

Hot springs in the park are even more numerous than the geysers. Minerals present in the waters of some of the hot springs have been deposited on the surrounding ground, building up cones. The most striking example is Mammoth Hot Springs, where cones as high as 90 m have been built up. Algae thrive in the pools of warm water that collect on the terraces, giving them a brilliant coloration. Mud volcanoes are also present in the park. These are mounds formed by hot water mixed with fine rock matter issuing from the earth. Other points of interest include Tower Falls (40 m), Golden Gate Canyon, and Obsidian Cliff, a volcanic black formation 50 m high.

Yellowstone National Park is one of the greatest wildlife reserves in the world. Vast forests cover most of the terrain and provide an undisturbed wilderness habitat for wildlife. Among the many species of animal found there are grizzly bear, elk, antelope, moose, bison, mountain sheep, lynx, and otter. More than 200 species of birds, including eagle, pelican have been sighted in the park.

Test yourself: Answer the questions:

1. When was the Yellowstone National Park established?

2. How many geysers are there in the park?

3. What is the name of the most famous geyser in the park?

4. What is the geyser Giant famous for?

5. Why can you see brilliantly coloured cones around the hot springs?

6. How many species of birds live in the park?

7. How do you think why the Yellowstone National Park is popular?

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