From coast to coast
You probably haven't heard of these 10 fascinating facts about America!
The United States is one of the largest, most famous, and most diverse countries in the world. But beyond the well-known facts and features of America, there are many surprising details that even some of us may not know. If you want to learn interesting things, such as the number of versions of the American flag, which famous landmark has a controversial addition, or which state has the fastest-speaking population, keep reading! Today, we're discovering 10 fun facts about our country that you may have never heard before.
1
World's largest office building
Image: Clem Onojeghuo
Among its many record-breaking achievements, America has one lesser-known record that also deserves attention.
Our country is home to the largest office building in the world. Want to know which one? The world's largest office building by floor area is the United States Department of Defense, also known as the Pentagon.
Ok, but how big is it? Located in Arlington, Virginia, and famous not only for its size but also for its distinctive five-sided design, the building has a total floor area of approximately 6.5 million square feet.
2
People in New York
Image: Nicolai Berntsen
We all know that New York City is packed with people. In fact, it's the most populous city in our country. But how many live there?
As of 2024, around 8.8 million people call NYC their home. That's a huge number on its own, but it might be even more impressive when you consider that NYC's population surpasses that of 40 US states, including Montana, New Hampshire, and Mississippi, to name a few. In other words, NYC has more residents than each of those 40 states individually.
After all, New York City is famously known as "the city that never sleeps" for a reason!
3
Many versions of the flag
Image: Chris Hardy
The US flag is one of our most beautiful and beloved symbols and also one of the most recognized worldwide. With its distinctive stripes, stars, and classic red, white, and blue colors, it is an unmistakable icon. But did you know it has undergone several changes over the years?
The US flag has not just had 1, 2, or 3 versions; in fact, there have been 27 official versions! Each of these versions served an important purpose, reflecting some key changes throughout our history. For example, whenever a new state joined the Union, an additional star was added. This is how we arrived at the 50 white stars you see in the upper left corner of our beautiful flag. The current version was made official on July 4, 1960.
4
No official language
Image: Ben Duchac
While English is the most widely spoken language in the United States, the country does not have an official language at the federal level.
This might surprise some people, given that English is the primary language for most Americans and is used for government and legal purposes.
On the other hand, many other languages are spoken here as well. For instance, Spanish is the second most spoken language, though it is used considerably less than English. And that's not all; Chinese, Filipino, and French also have a notable number of speakers in the US!
5
The fastest-speaking states
Image: Chris Liverani
We all have that friend who speaks so fast it's hard to keep up, even if you know them well. Would you like to know how fast Americans speak?
Fortunately, there's not just data on the languages we use but also on how quickly we speak in our daily lives. And it turns out that a few states lead the pack in this speed race.
According to the Smithsonian Institution, Oregon, Minnesota, and Massachusetts are the states where residents speak the fastest . So, if you know someone from those states, why not give it a try and see if you can keep up with their speedy conversations?
6
Most airports in the world
Image: Alex Underwood
Americans seem to love air travel, and there's a good reason for that: the US holds the record for the most airports in the world!
This isn't just a coincidence. The vast size of our territory— yes, we're one of the largest countries in the world—requires fast, safe, and efficient ways to travel to all corners.
With thousands of airports of all kinds spread across the country, it's no wonder that so many movies feature airport scenes or are even filmed inside airplanes, right?
7
Alaska's price
Image: Joris Beugels
We have the great advantage of having the gorgeous state of Alaska as one of the 50 states. Beyond its natural beauty, it holds another impressive distinction: it's the largest state by area, covering approximately 663,300 square miles.
As you may know, Alaska was purchased in 1867 when US Secretary of State William H. Seward sealed a deal with Russia to acquire the territory. However, what some people may not know is just how affordable it was: the purchase cost $7.2 million, which means we acquired Alaska for about 2 cents per acre! To put it in perspective, adjusted for inflation, that $7.2 million would be equivalent to about $140 million today.
8
The first national park in the world
Image: Nicolasintravel
The United States is home to some of the most spectacular and diverse national parks in the world. And not only that, but we also have the honor of being the country that established the world's very first national park.
Inaugurated on March 1, 1872, Yellowstone National Park became the Earth's first national park. This event marked a turning point, leading to the creation of many other national parks and protected areas both in America and around the globe.
The incredible Yellowstone spans approximately 3,472 square miles , primarily in Wyoming, with portions extending into Montana and Idaho. Have you had the chance to visit it?
9
A special feature on Washington National Cathedral
Image: Ryan Arnst
The Washington National Cathedral offers many attractions for visitors, starting with its beautiful Gothic-style architecture. However, it also holds some secrets and fun facts within its walls.
Construction began in 1907 and took 83 years to complete. The wait was well worth it, as the Washington National Cathedral is now the sixth-largest in the world! And here's a fun fact: its famous Space Window features a real piece of moon rock at its center. Amazing!
Additionally, there's also a quirky feature that some visitors overlook: on the Cathedral's façade, there's a gargoyle with the face of none other than Darth Vader! This Star Wars character was added to the building's northwest tower in the 1980s after a children's design competition. A curious touch, isn't it?
10
Miles of bookshelves
Image: Roman Kraft
The Library of Congress is much more than a beautiful complex of buildings. Located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., this famous landmark was established over 200 years ago in 1800 . Since then, it has preserved and protected countless documents, treaties, and books that reflect and constitute our nation's history.
Adding to our list of world records, the Library of Congress holds the title of the largest library in the world. It boasts an incredible 164 million items, which translates to 838 miles of bookshelves. That's enough to cover the distance from Atlanta, GA, to New York City, NY!
