USA People

Considering that Native Americans make up less than 1 percent of the population, the US truly is a “country of immigrants.” While the country’s population is and always has been mostly white, waves of immigration of various ethnic groups at different points in history have changed US demographics. The US population is currently 76% white, 14% Hispanic and Latino, 12% African-American, and 4% Asian. Non-white populations are often concentrated in urban areas.

The Establishment Clause of the US Constitution states that the government and public institutions must remain neutral to religion. This “separation of church and state” ensures that Americans have the freedom to practice any religion they choose (or none at all) and still receive equal treatment from the government. Still, since the Puritans, religion has been a defining characteristic of the American ethic, and some studies have concluded that as many as 90% of Americans do have some religious affiliation. Christianity dominates: 76% of Americans identify themselves as Catholic, Protestant, Mormon, or another sect of Christianity. The so-called Bible Belt is composed of a number of Southern and Midwestern states where fervent Protestantism is a defining factor of local culture and politics.

English is the official language of the US, and even those who speak another language often speak English as well. American dialects vary by region, but these differences are limited to individual words and expressions. In some regions of the country—particularly California, Texas, the Southwest, and Miami—an influx of Spanish-speaking immigrants has made Spanish almost as prevalent as English. In fact, the US contains the world’s fifth-largest Spanish speaking population.

More Life And Times in USA

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