Climate

Due to the size of the nation, the climate in the USA varies greatly depending on where you are and when you visit. While cities in the Midwest and Northeast can experience mild summers and harsh, heavy winters with snowfall, other regions closer to the Equator such as Florida and Texas can experience humid summers and mild winters. Furthermore, the regions closest to the water such as California also experience a more Mediterranean climate compared to those inland.

Due to the size of the United States of America, different regions can also be subject to different natural disasters. Regions in the central plains can occasionally experience tornadoes and severe storms, while cities along the Gulf Coast occasionally experience Hurricanes. While this weather is rare, the US will experience these natural disasters more often in certain seasons, and it’s beneficial to do your due diligence and check before you travel to ensure you’re not at risk.

Capital Cities

Similarly to Australia, the United States of America is made up of multiple Capital Cities, with one Capital City per State alongside one Federal Capital to cover the nation.

In America, the Federal Capital is Washington, DC. Bordering the states of Marlyland and Virginia on the far Eastern side of the country, Washington, DC is home to the Capitol, White House and Supreme Court, and is also where the country’s President spends his time.

Outside of Washington, DC, America also has 50 State Capitals, with one Capital City located within each state. Often the largest city in each state, these State Capitals are where each state’s government resides. See below for a full map of each Capital City within the USA.

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LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

The United States of America is a huge nation, and it would take a lifetime to see and explore every part of it. Whether you’re planning to visit for the first or the tenth time, for business or pleasure, here are a few handy tips from locals to make your next US trip easier (and help you have the best experience possible):

• Download a Metric Converter App – Unlike Australia and many other countries worldwide, the United States of America doesn’t use the Metric System – It uses the Imperial System, meaning everything is measured in feet, inches, pounds or ounces, and temperature is measured in Fahrenheit. As you’ll likely need to convert weights, distances and lengths while travelling, it’s helpful to have a Metric Converter App so you know exactly how far away the next Road Turn Off is, how big the burger actually is and how long the walk is to your next destination, otherwise you may be in for a surprise!

• Be Prepared for Large Portion Sizes – It’s true, American portion sizes are significantly larger than portion sizes in Australia. A ‘Large’ in America is significantly larger than a ‘Large’ elsewhere around the world (with the option to Supersize also available), so unless you want a plate of food the size of your head, be conscious of these size differences when ordering food and drink. A Medium and Small are also larger than average, so if you’re not particularly hungry you can ask for a child’s size or a smaller portion and restaurant’s will often be able to accommodate.

• Get Travel Insurance – America’s healthcare system is well-known to be expensive and complicated to navigate, so we highly recommend getting a comprehensive level of Travel Insurance before you head off. If you’re not sure what you’d need coverage for, our team of Travel Agents can help organise this for you to ensure you’re covered if something goes wrong (and you don’t end up with a medical bill at the end).

• Early Bird Advantage – Having such a large population, you’re almost certainly going to encounter large crowds anywhere you go. Getting up early and getting to tourist destinations right on opening time will help you avoid the worst of the crowds and allow you to enjoy an experience with fewer people around.

• Be Conscious of Cultural Differences – Australian’s have a very unique sense of humour, that often doesn’t translate to Americans. While you may mean something as a joke, controversial comments about race, gender, politics won’t often be taken as jokes, and you’re much more likely to cause accidental offense while visiting. It’s best to avoid these comments altogether.

• Carry Cash for Tipping – It’s pretty common knowledge that America has a huge tipping culture, and tips are expected whenever you’re served by someone. Because of this, it’s crucial that you carry cash while travelling – unless you experience unsatisfactory service, you’ll be expected to tip anyone who serves you, including (but not limited to) wait and barstaff, taxi drivers, valet attendants, hotel maids and porters. The generally accepted amount is 20% of your bill, but you can tip less if the service is poor or more if the service is exceptional.

FAQ’s