ESL Class Contributions

State Presentations

Given by Students in 530L with Kimberly Gibson

Valiantsina Sidarevich

New York

New York is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States of America. With 62 counties, it is the country’s most populous state. New York City is known for its history as a gateway for immigration to the United States and its status as a financial, cultural, transportation, and manufacturing center.

New York covers 54,475 square miles (141,089 km²). In size, New York ranks 27th out of the 50 states.

The climate of New York State is broadly representative of the humid continental type, which prevails in the northeastern United States.

New York has many state parks and two major forest preserves. Long Pond in the Saint Regis Canoe Area of the Adirondack Park.

As of 2006, New York was the third largest state in population after California and Texas.

New York is a slow growing state with a large rate of emigration to other states, especially Florida and Arizona. New York State is a leading destination for international immigration, however.

New York City is the leading center of banking, finance and communication in the U.S.

New York City is home to the most complex and extensive transportation network in the U.S. Besides New York City, many of the other cities have urban and regional public transportation.

New York’s capital is Albany. The largest city in the state and the most populous city in the U.S. is New York City.

The City University of New York is the public university system of New York City.

Millions of people use the subway trains to get to and from work every day. The subway is noisy and dirty, but it’s cheap and quick.

New York has many interesting shops, cafes, art galleries, Park Zoo and Central Park. There is also the New York Aquarium.

If you want to look at the buildings in New York – look up! The city is full of skyscrapers, but some are wonderful and very modern.

The Statue of Liberty is one of the most recognizable symbols of New York City – and of America. The Statue of Liberty is interesting, because you can see for many kilometers from the top. Some are world-famous. New York is a big city. More than twenty million people visit New York every year. You can see many different parts. This is a wonderful city. I want to visit this city.

Raisa Shmydova

Nevada

Nevada is a state located in the western region of the United States of America. The capital is Carson City and the largest city is Las Vegas. The state’s official nickname is “The Silver State”, due to the large number of silver deposits that were discovered and mined there. In 1864, Nevada became the 36th state to enter the union, and the phrase “Battle Born” on the state flag reflects the state’s entry on the Union side during the American Civil War.

Much of Nevada is desolate wilderness, from the Mojave Desert in the south to the Great Basin in the north, and about 86% of the state’s land is actually controlled by the US federal government under various jurisdictions including military. As of 2006, the population of the state was about 2.6 million, with over 85% residing in the metropolitan areas around Las Vegas and Reno. The state is well known for its easy marriage and divorce proceedings, legalization of gambling and, in some counties, prostitution. It also has some of the country’s strictest drug laws.

Nuclear Testing

The Nevada Test Site, 65 miles (105 km) Northwest of the City of Las Vegas, was founded on January 11, 1951 for the testing of nuclear weapons. The site is composed of approximately 1,350 square miles (3,500 km²) of desert and mountainous terrain. Nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site began with a one-kiloton of TNT (4 terajoule) bomb dropped of Frenchman Flats on January 27, 1951. The last atmospheric test was conducted on July 17, 1962 and the underground testing of weapons continued until September 23, 1992.

Industry Mining shaped Nevada’s economy for many years (see Silver mining in Nevada). However in the late 19th century, Nevada found it increasingly more difficult to compete with states such as Colorado and Utah in the mining industry. There was even talk of stripping away statehood, the only time in American history such an action was discussed in Congress. However, the rich silver strike at Tonopah in 1900 is thought to have saved the state from near collapse. This was followed by strikes in Goldfield and Rhyolite, lasting well into the 1910s and making Nevada a dominant player in mining once again. Silver mining in Nevada, a state of the United States, began in 1858 with the discovery of the Comstock Lode, the first major silver-mining district in the United States. Nevada calls itself The silver state. In 2006, Nevada was the nation’s second-largest producer of silver, after Alaska.

Las Vegas (often abbreviated by locals and out-of-towners as Vegas) is the most populous city in the state of Nevada, United States, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally known resort, shopping, entertainment, and gambling destination. It was established in1905 and officially became a city in 1911. With the growth that followed, Las Vegas became the largest U.S. city founded in the 20th century (a distinction held by Chicago in the 19th century). It is the 28th largest city in the United States.

The center of gambling in the United States and the world Las Vegas is commonly known as The Entertainment Capital of the World; famous for its massive and lavish casino resorts, availability of alcoholic beverages at any time (as is true throughout Nevada), and various degrees of adult entertainment. It is also referred to as Sin City, but in recent years the city itself has stopped using this moniker in its marketing. The city’s image has often made it a popular setting for films and television programs.

Seungeun Kim

The State of Arizona

The state of Arizona is a state of located in the southwestern region of the United States of America. Arizona was the 48th and last of the contiguous states admitted to the Union on February 14, 1912. Arizona is one of the four corners states. It borders New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, California, touches Colorado.

The capital and largest city is Phoenix. The three next largest cities are Tucson, Mesa, and Glendale. The original capital building, with the area was still a territory.

As of 2006, Arizona had and estimated population of 6,166,318 people. Maricopa County is the largest county in Arizona. The city of Phoenix is in Maricopa County. The population of Maricopa County is more than 3 million. There are 21 Native American tribes in Arizona, with 250,000 Native Americans living in Arizona. Reservations and tribal communities comprise over a quarter of Arizona’s lands.

Arizona is noted for its desert climate, exceptionally hot summers and mild winters, but the high country in the contrast with the lower deserts. Arizona has a rainfall during two rainy seasons and a monsoon in the summer. The monsoon season occurs from the middle of July through August. It brings lightning, thunderstorms, wind, and torrential, if usually brief, downpours. It is rare for tornadoes and hurricanes to occur in Arizona, but there are records of both occurring.

One of the seven natural wonders of the world is Grand Canyon. There is a spectacular and colorful, steep-sided gorge, carved by the Colorado River in northern Arizona. Also, Grand Canyon National Park is one of the first national parks in the United States. President Theodore Roosevelt was a major proponent of designating the Grand Canyon area, visiting of numerous occasions to hunt mountain lion and enjoy the scenery.

Arizona is best known for its desert landscape, which is rich in xerophyte plants such as cactus. The Saguaro Cactus can grow to be almost 80 feed tall and weigh as much as several tons, knowing that the saguaro cactus commonly lives to be about 200 years.

Yevgen Rozumnyy

Presentation about Alaska

Do you want to know more information about Alaska? My presentation can give you some information about this state of America.

Alaska is a 49th state of USA. Alaska located west of Canada and east of Russia. Sitka was the first capital of Alaska, but now it’s a Juneau. The first people who contact with Alaska were European. It was Russian territory from 1733 to 1867. Alexsander II was a king of Russia. He decided to sell Alaska to USA on March 1867, because Russia was in a difficult financial position. That’s why Alaska is the State of America now. USA bought the Alaska at $7,200,000. It was 1.9 cent for the 1 acre. There was a gold rush in 1880. It was a new American dream: to get rich; to make a fortune quickly. That’s why population of Alaska was grown. All people who visited Alaska was wanted to find gold the theirselfes. Alaska has about 586,000 square miles long. Alaska have many minerals such as gold, coal, copper and other minerals. McKinley is a tallest mountain of Alaska. Llimanma is a large fresh water lake. The longest river is Yukon. Also, largest glacier is Bering glacier. Sitka is the largest city in Alaska. Population of Alaska was 670,000 in 2006. Alaska has the lowest taxes in America. Alaska is a land of contrasts. There are many different climates. Some part of Alaska has same weather with Siberia the coldest temperature ever recorded in Alaska’s interior was minus 80 degrees on January 23, 1971. You can see the weather of Alaska’s interior on the first picture. There are snow drifts on the mountain. It’s really extreme weather. On the second picture, you can see Mount Cleveland. It’s famous volcano in Alaska. This symmetrical volcano is one of the most active of the volcanoes in the Aleutians. Let’s look on the next picture. We can see this one nice picture which showing us nice green lights. It’s polar lights in Alaska. Polar lights are naturel colored lights in the sky. Some people call it kike aurora. You can see this aurora in the polar zone. Aurora has not just green color but such as red, blue, yellow, orange and other colors. You must often can see polar lights from September to October and from Mourch to April.

In conclusion, as you see Alaska is very interesting and unusual place that you will not see in other states. If you plan to go somewhere Alaska will be the best chose to spend your vacation.

Fany Ibarra

State of Hawaii

Nickname: The Aloha State
Motto: “The Life of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness”
Hawaiian: Va Mau Ke Ea o Ka Qina I Ka Pono
Official languages: English, Hawaiian
Capital: Honolulu
Population: about 1,500,000
Admission to Union: August 21, 1959 (50th)
Governor: Linda Lingle (R)
U. S. Senator: Daniel Inouye (D)
                       Daniel Akaka (D)
State animal: Humpack Whale
State bird: Nene (Branta Sandvicensis)
State fish: Reef triggerfish
State flower: Yellow Hibiscus, federally listed as endangered.
State gem: Black Coral
State song: Hawaii Ponoi
State tree: Kukui

Notable Features:
The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands National Monument was proclaimed by President George W. Bush on June 15, 2006, under the 1906 Antiquities Act. The Monument covers roughly 140,000 square miles (360,000 km²) of reefs, atolls and shallow and deep sea in the Pacific Ocean, larger than all of America’s National Parks combined.

Hawaii is the southernmost state of the United States; is would be the westernmost, if not for Alaska. It is one of only two states (Alaska is the other) that are outside the contiguous United States, and do not share a border with another U.S. state.

Hawaii is the only state of the United States that:

• Is separated from the mainland by water, yet is not a territory.
• Is completely surrounded by water.
• Continues to grow in area because of active extrusive lava flows, most notably from Kilauea.
• Is entirely in the tropics.

Climate:
The climate of Hawaii is typical for a tropical area, although temperatures and humidity tend to be a bit less extreme than other tropical locales due to the constant trade winds blowing from the east. This fact is utilized by the tourist industry, which concentrates records on sunny toward coast.

Tips:
Early British influence can still be seen from the design of the local Flag of Hawaii which has the British Union Flag in the corner.

Hawaii may be an especially health place to live. The average projected lifespan of those born in Hawaii in the year 2005 is 80-85 longer than the residents of any other state.

Religion/Adherents: Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, Bahai, Daoist, Confucian, Druid, Hawaiian, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Shinto, Scientology, Unitarian, Wiccan, Zoroastrian, etc.

In your next vacation you will spend your time and your money in those really wonderful Hawaiian islands.

Claudia Jaramillo

Maryland

Maryland is located: on the East Cost in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United State of America.
Maryland is bounded: On the North, by Pennsylvania
On the South, by Virginia
On the East by Atlantic Ocean and Delaware.
On the West across de Potomac River by Virginia.
In the mid-portion of the West limit is interrupted by Washington D.C.
Washington D.C sit on land originally part of Maryland.
Maryland is comparable in size with Belgiun.
Maryland was the seven State to ratify the United State Constitution.
Maryland’s Gobernator: Martin O’malley
Acording of Census Bureau: Maryland is the wealthiest state in U.S.A.
Maryland has a highly educated population with over 85% having graduated from high school and over 35% having bachelor degree.
Maryland’s largest city: Baltimore.
Other cities: Frederick, Rockville, Bowle.
Maryland’s Capital: Annapolis.
Buildins in Annapolis are originally of 17th, 18th, 19th century.
Maryland is vulnerable to tropical cyclones because it is near to Atlantic Coast.
People in Maryland is concentrated in cities and in suburbs surrounding Washington D.C.
The highest point in Maryland is Hoyo Crest on Backbone Mtn.
The Maryland’s official dog is The Chesapeake Bay Retriver.
The Maryland’s official bird is The Baltimore Oriole.
The Maryland’s flower is The Black Eyed Susan.
The official Maryland’s Drink is the Milk.
Maryland’s agriculture: dairy products, sea food. Etc
Maryland’s Industry: is known with its chemical products.
Maryland’s Flag; bear the arms of Calvert and Crossland Family. Calvert is the last name of Lord Baltimore who founded Maryland.

Harpreet Kaur

Oregon

Oregon is a green and beautiful state, there is only 3% crime then other state. Oregon state has a lot of interesting thing like Multnomah Falls. Oregon’s tallest waterfall a 611-foot tall. Oregon has the largest collection of covered bridges, see Oregon’s beaty from some of the most scenic areas in the coast, Tilla mook air museum flies high built in 1943. Columbia River maritime museum offers fun and learning at the same time, Hike Neahkahnie Mountain, Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland Oregon celebrates 70 years in 2005. There is one Chinese Garden in Portland which in about 40,000 square feet, Portland is largest city in Oregon. State motto is she flies with her own wings and the Union. Oregon State beavers and the University of Oregon Ducks football teams meet one a year at the Civil War which has been an ongoing tradition since 1894.

Ihar Tsaryk

Virginia

Introduction

1. Pictures with eight presidents of U.S. who was born in Virginia and question “Who are they and why they are here?” (Hooks for Catch audience’s interest).
2. Quotation: “All America was like Virginia in beginning” (William Bard). Result investigation: What American is thinking about if you say them Virginia?

Body speech

1. The Commonwealth of Virginia is a Southeastern state (East Coast). It is name in honor of Queen Elizabeth I of England, who was known as the Virgin Queen. State nickname: Old Dominion. The capital is Richmond (during Civil War (1861-1865) was a capital Confederation American States).
2. The Virginia Colony was the first part of Americas to be continuously inhabited by English colonist from its founding as a European coolly up to the American Revolution (1776-1781). Jamestown’s anniversary (1607-2007).
3. On June 12, 1776, the Virginia adopted the Declaration of Rights, a document that influenced the Bill of Rights added later to the U.S. Constitution.
4. Virginia has also been known as the “Mother of State” because portions of the original Colony subsequently became Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, as well as portion of Ohio. Additionally, most of what is now Wisconsin and Michigan was also briefly claimed by Virginia during the Revolutionary War. As a result of the American Civil War, 48 western counties formed a separate state which was admitted to the Union as West Virginia.
5. Virginia has a diverse economy (it was a great dream Tomas Jefferson and today is happened). It has the highest concentration of technology workers of any state. Computer chips became the state’s highest-grossing export in 2006. In 2006 and 2007, Forbes Magazine voted Virginia as having (the best climate for business) in U.S. citing economic growth. CNBC ranked Virginia as the top state for business in 2007.

Conclusion
Virginia usually has voted for Republicans but in 2004 John Kerry won. Some political analysts have been predicting that Virginia could become a more competitive state in future presidential election (2008). In the November 2005 election Democrat Tim Kaine beat Republican Attorney General Jerry Kilgore.

Lidiya Vakulchik

Florida

The most interesting was that people who come to Florida they are not afraid to go see the alligators and to drive on a boat right on the alligator river. I would be very scared and wouldn’t do that. The most important information that I took for myself is that the state of Florida has great economy because of people coming form all over the world which is called tourism. Also, I never knew that Florida grows their own citrus fruit, oranges, tomatoes, strawberries, sugarcane and many many others that help the economy very much. It amazed me how many people go to Florida each year 60 million that’s a lot. I also learned that Florida is the state that comes out in the ocean surrounded by water everywhere on the right on the left and in front. In addition, I’ve learned a lot about places you can go to if you are going to Florida. For example to Walt Disney World and Sea World, parks, a lot of different beaches, to a healthy lake. Also, something very interesting I’ve read was that people can hunt alligators if they are licensed. I read different interesting stories from the book. A story about a man who is only 29 years old who was killed by an alligator in 1986 in Florida. I found it interesting to know more about the hurricanes and thunderstorms in Florida.

Ievgen Drozhzhin

Pennsylvania

The main idea of my presentation is paying attention on historical streengs and modern values of Pennsylvania state. In among interesting events are several fats from early to nowadays. For example, how the state has gotten his name. It happened after 1681, when North American colony was granted to William Penn by king Charles II of England. Then Pennsylvania got it name for W. Penn’s father and the Latin word “Sylvania” (meaning “forest”).

Next, right in this state were written several important documents. They are:

1. The Constitution of the U.S.
2. The American Declaration of Independence.
3. Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.

The first capitol of the United States was also here. It was York.
What else? After Civil War 1862-1864 the U.S. oil industry was born in western Pennsylvania. It grew with capitals and infamy of Rockfeller’s family. Millions of immigrants, mainly Europeans, arrived here with hope to take jobs in factories, steel mills and coal mines. Today the state is also famous for making the iron, Portland cement, lime, stone, electronics equipment, cars, pharmaceuticals and leading farms products: dairy, mushrooms, apples, grapes, peaches and flowers.
Although so industries Pennsylvania has beautiful nature: 50 natural lakes, 3 rivers - Delaware Ohio, Allegheny and forests. State’s flower is Mountain Laure, tree – Hemlock.
State’s aria is 45,888 square miles, where more 12.3 million people live.