• United States!

    United States: Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Go Now!

    United States
    Explore the vast openness and wildlife found roaming in the western United States, including Theodore Roosevelt National Park (pictured) in North Dakota. Begin Your Journey!

  • Trinidad & Tobago!

    Trinidad & Tobago: Beautiful Coastline. Go Now!

    Trinidad & Tobago
    These Caribbean islands mix Indian, African, and European cultures alongside beautiful beaches. Go Now!

  • St. Kitts & Nevis!

    St. Kitts & Nevis: Nevis Island. Go Now!

    St. Kitts & Nevis
    This island nation mixes aspects of European, African, and Caribbean culture... not to mention incredible beaches. Go Now!

  • Honduras!

    Honduras: Children. Go Now!

    Honduras
    The original banana republic, Honduras has made a name for itself with the banana trade; however foreign influences have also vastly altered the culture. Go Now!

  • Mexico!

    Mexico: Sunrise over the mountains in Puerto Vallarta. Go Now!

    Mexico
    Although many people just go for the beaches, Mexico offers impressive mountain vistas (pictured in Puerto Vallarta), great food, and historic ruins that compete with the best in the world. Begin Your Journey!

  • Barbados!

    Barbados: Pier on the beach. Go Now!

    Barbados
    This Caribbean island has hints of British culture, but is wholly Caribbean as well. Explore Barbados!

Ethnicity, Language, & Religion of the United States of America

Ethnicity

The United States is probably the most diverse country in the world when it comes to ethnicities. Trying to determine the exact breakdown of ethnic diversity is extremely difficult since most Americans are a combination of various ethnicities. Nearly 80% of the population is considered "white," but that includes those of European, Caucasian, and Arab descent including anyone who is a combination of these or a combination of European and American Indian descent, such as most of the Hispanic population. Another 15% is ethnically African, but again most of these people are a combination of varying African ethnicities, most of whom are descended from slaves brought to the country from Africa. The last 5% of so is primarily East Asian, wholly American Indian, Hawai'ian, etc. It is important to note though that many people of similar ethnicities tend to be found in similar geographic regions. For example New York City is home to most of the country's ethnic Jews and Italians, Chicago is home to many Poles and Irish, and Texas home to many Hispanics. Despite these concentrations, people of every ethnicity can be found in every part of the country and it's not uncommon for an individual to have ancestors of multiple ethnicities.

Language

The United States has no official language, although about 80% of Americans are native English speakers and another 11% are native Spanish speakers. Another 4% of the popular grow up natively speaking other European languages, 3% speak Asian languages natively, and smaller numbers speak other languages, primarily Native American Indian languages. Although the country doesn't have any official languages, the state of Hawai'i does; they recognize the language of Hawai'ian officially, which is a Polynesian language.

English is the most common form of communication in the United States, but Spanish speakers live throughout the country and most people have no problem getting around with Spanish. Other languages can be more difficult to get around with, although being in the right neighborhood you may find the majority natively speak Russian, Hmong, or Italian.

Religion

Just over half of the United States' population is protestant of some sort. The next largest group, with about 25%, is the Roman Catholics. Although much smaller percentages, the Mormons and Jews are two religious groups with a huge number of adherents in the United States compared to worldwide numbers. There are religious followers of numerous other religions as well, including Muslims and Buddhists among others.

Protestantism is a general term referring to nearly every Christian religion that is not Catholic or Orthodox. Like all Christian faiths, Protestants believe there is one God and that His son, Jesus is the savior and forgiver of sins. Protestants also believe that the Bible, which includes the Old and New Testaments, is the only true word of God. Due to this reliance on the Bible, nearly every protestant faith, and even individual, may interpret the Bible differently, which has led to a huge number of Protestant churches.

Catholicism is a Christian religion that is one of the first Christian religions (founded after the death of Jesus in about 30-33 AD). Catholicism believes that there is a single God who created everything, a savior, the son of God, Jesus Christ who is the forgiver of sins, and there is the Holy Spirit, which makes up the last part of the Holy Trinity. Catholics follow the teachings of the Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments. Much of the faith is based on the life and teachings of Jesus, which is found in the gospels (in the New Testament).

Continue reading on Safari the Globe to Learn the Catholic Church's doctrines, liturgy, symbolism, traditions, & hierarchy

This page was last updated: May, 2014