What is American culture? There is no one answer to this question, and everyone you ask will probably give you a slightly different answer! The reason is because the United States of America is a diverse land. Covering more than 9.6 million square kilometers, the USA is home to more than 290 million people. While there are core values that unite Americans, you will find that a large, urban area like Los Angeles, California has a very different culture and way of life than Oxford, Mississippi. When nearly three thousand miles separate people on the west coast from those on the east coast, there are bound to be differences!

Geographical Differences
Geography affects the development and culture of a region. For example, cattle ranchers grazing large herds of cattle on the flatlands of Texas will have a culture very distinct from a mining community in the mountains of West Virginia. Climate and geography influence the industries of an area, way of life, density of the people, and how they interact.

Language Differences
While English is the language of the USA, pronunciations of words vary greatly between regions. For example, when addressing a group of people it is common in the south to use the phrase "y'all" (from you all), while in some northern areas it would be "you guys." There is also the common debate in the USA whether to call a canned, carbonated drink a soda, pop, or Coke (even if is made by a different company with a different taste!). To explore more about regional English variations, visit the Speaking English section. Even the speed of speach varies between regions, with northerns speaking more quickly than individuals in the deep south.

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The cultural differences are endless. From liking different foods to having different paces of life, life in America is as diverse as its people. Explore the links to the right to read in more depth about regional distinctives in the USA.
 
In addition to regional differences, each of the 50 states is unique in is history, culture, way of life, and people. Learn about the Differences Between The States.