English. Соколова Е.В. - 29 стр.

Tourists" agency. He'll help me answer your questions about the U.S. telling a story
prepared by his agency.
     In fact, the history of the U.S. is an interesting story of constant travel. Many cen-
turies ago travellers from ancient Europe — Norwegian Vikings --- came to live in
the unknown land. That region was the east о I the States. It was just there, that the
first American colonies were organized in 1607 and from where the American Revo-
lution started in 1773.
     The early settlers controlled the territory of present day Connecticut, Massachu-
setts, and other Eastern states. At first, people stayed near the sea, but then the
strongest and bravest of them, went west, to Hawaii and Alaska. In 1804 they started
on their long travel from Missouri to the North. The process of immigration did not
stop with the years, and millions of people arrived from Europe, Asia, Africa, Austra-
lia, Latin America. Most of them had the same characteristics as the settlers of the
first generation: they were talented, full of energy, and opposed to any religious con-
version or debate. They did not care for money, certificates or licenses. It was free-
dom that they all cared for the freedom (o live according to their ideas and principles.
They built new cities on the territory of present Kansas, Mississippi and other states.
Many of them traveled deeper and deeper into the new land. Some followed religious
leaders like the legendary Mormon Joseph Smith, who built Salt Lake City in Utah.
Others went for gold. You can follow their way going from state to state, too, in our
Historic four. Because of intense travelling and hard work unknown minerals and
necessary metals were found in Ohio and Florida good lands for plantations in Texas
and California. People discovered and cultivated new vegetables. Also. America went
     on demonstrating the world scientific and practical progress, starting with simple
mechanisms on electricity and ending in modem super scanners of genetic codes and
molecules at teleportation. You can see these and many other interesting things in our
special tour — "America's progress."
     The history and economy of the U.S. are closely connected with Canada and its
provinces — Quebec and Ontario. French settlers came to Canada, founded Quebec
City and Montreal, named the, land New France, and declared it a colony.
     In 1717 Canada became a British colony. That's why there are two official lan-
guages -English and French.
     Another interesting question people often ask is about Washington. The thing is
that two different notions, having the same name, are sometimes mixed up: the state
of Washington in the west of the U.S., and Washington, D.C.. the capital of the U.S.
     Washington, D.C. is neither state, nor city. It is also known as D.C., the District
and the District of Columbia.
     The capital attracts thousands of visitors. Classical buildings and large parts of
D.C. reflect the hi story of the U.S.
     The White House, the President's residence, is a perfect example of the late eight-
eenth century Renaissance. A special tour "Two Washingtons" will take you around
the state and the District.
     Completing our story I'd like to give you some useful advice. When you write to
the U.S., don't use the full name of the state. Use postal abbreviations — the short

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