The United States【56】a large part of the North American continent. Its neighbors are Canada【57】the north,【58】Mexico to the south.【59】the United States is a big country, it' s not the largest in the world. In 1964 its【60】was over 185,000,000. When this land first became a nation, after【61】independence from England, it had thirteen states,【62】of the states was represented on the American flag by a【63】. All the states were in the eastern part of the continent. As the nation grew towards the west, new states were in the eastern part of the continent. As the nation grew towards the west, new states were added and new stars【64】on the flag. For a long time, there were 48 states. In 1959, however, two【65】stars were added to the flag【66】the new states【67】Alaska and Hawaii. Sometimes【68】is said that the Indians are the only real Americans. Most Americans, however, are descendants(后代) of peoplev【69】came from all over the world to find a new【70】in a new land.【71】who came first and 【72】 greatest numbers to make their home【73】the eastern coast of North America were mostly from England. It is【74】that reason that the language of the United States is English and that its culture and customs are more like【75】of England than of any other country in the world. (36)