The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district. The United States consists of 50 states and Washington D.C. The last two to join the Union were Alaska (49th) and Hawaii (50th). Both joined in 1959. Washington DC is a federal district under the authority of the U.S. Congress. Washington DC is represented in Congress by an elected, non-voting Delegate to the House of Representatives. Residents have been able to vote in presidential elections since 1961.

For more information on the USA, please visit http://usinfo.state.gov/