<P> The United States of America ( USA ) , commonly known as the United States ( U.S. ) or America ( / əˈmɛrɪkə / ) , is a federal republic composed of 50 states , a federal district , five major self - governing territories , and various possessions . Forty - eight states and the federal district are contiguous and located in North America between Canada and Mexico . The state of Alaska is in the northwest corner of North America , bordered by Canada to the east and across the Bering Strait from Russia to the west . The state of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific Ocean . The U.S. territories are scattered about the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea , stretching across nine official time zones . The extremely diverse geography , climate and wildlife of the United States make it one of the world 's 17 megadiverse countries . </P>
<P> The United States of America ( USA ) , commonly known as the United States ( U.S. ) or America ( / əˈmɛrɪkə / ) , is a federal republic composed of 50 states , a federal district , five major self - governing territories , and various possessions . Forty - eight states and the federal district are contiguous and located in North America between Canada and Mexico . The state of Alaska is in the northwest corner of North America , bordered by Canada to the east and across the Bering Strait from Russia to the west . The state of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific Ocean . The U.S. territories are scattered about the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea , stretching across nine official time zones . The extremely diverse geography , climate and wildlife of the United States make it one of the world 's 17 megadiverse countries . </P>
where is usa located in the world map
where is usa located in the world map
North America between Canada and Mexico
North America between Canada and Mexico