United States
About United States
| Currency | US dollar (USD) |
| Language | English |
| Capital | Washington, DC |
The United States of America (USA) is located in North America between Mexico and Canada, with the North Atlantic Ocean on the eastern coast and the Pacific Ocean on the western coast. The population is approximately 313 million people.
The United State’s government is a constitutional republic and representative democracy. The chief of state and head of government is a president.
The USA is a global economic, political and military power. The economy is the largest and most powerful in the world, and all sectors of the economy are highly developed. Despite being one of the wealthiest nations in the world, there are social and geographic based economic inequities.
The U.S. has some of the most diverse destinations in the world, with 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. Territories. Millions of foreign travellers will visit the United States every year. There are 21 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, that include Yosemite National Park in California, Statue of Liberty in New York, Everglades National Park in Florida, Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, to name a few. There are beaches, mountains, deserts, the Grand Canyon, large cities such as New York City, Chicago, San Francisco. Tourists can find hundreds of attractions in every state.
Recommended Vaccinations For United States
For Most Travellers
Hepatitis B Vaccine
Vaccination for hepatitis B in the United States is only recommended for travel to Alaska.
For Some Travellers
Rabies Vaccine
Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers whose activities or employment may bring them into direct contact with wild animals or bats (i.e. adventure travellers, veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers, etc.).
Recommended Medications For United States
There are no recommendations for United States at this time.
Diseases To Be Aware of for United States
For Most Travellers
Hepatitis B
There is an intermediate risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Alaska. The risk of acquiring hepatitis B throughout the rest of the United States is low.
Dengue Fever
Dengue fever occurs sporadically in Florida.
For Some Travellers
Ciguatera Fish Poisoning
Ciguatera poisoning occurs sporadically in the states of Hawaii and Florida.
Zika Fever
Zika virus can occur in this country.
West Nile Fever
West Nile virus outbreaks occur throughout the continental United States from mid to late summer and autumn.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease occurs in the northeastern parts of the country, the northern Midwest, and the northern Pacific coastal regions. The highest risk occurs from exposure to ticks during camping and hiking in forested areas.
Rabies
Rabies may be present in wild animals or bats.
Safety & Security in United States
Personal Safety
Violent crime in the United States decreased 4.5% in 2024 compared to 2023, marking the lowest recorded rate since 1969. Murder rates fell 14.9% and robbery dropped 8.9%, continuing a two-year decline from pandemic-era peaks. Early 2025 data shows violent crime down an additional 6.3% in the first quarter. Property crime decreased 8.1% in 2024, including an 18.6% drop in motor vehicle theft. Despite these improvements, the murder rate of 5 per 100,000 people remains significantly higher than many developed nations. Aggravated assault still comprises 71% of violent crimes. Hate crimes decreased 1.5% in 2024, with 11,679 incidents reported. Crime patterns vary significantly by location. Cities such as Memphis, Detroit, Milwaukee, and St. Louis consistently report violent crime rates three to six times the national average. Major urban areas including Baltimore, Oakland, and Kansas City also experience elevated rates. Conversely, states like Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont maintain some of the lowest crime rates nationally. The risk of becoming a victim varies considerably depending on where you travel within the country.
Extreme Violence
Gun violence remains a significant concern in the United States. Mass shooting incidents decreased in 2024, with 499 events recorded using the four-or-more-victims definition, down 24% from 2023. FBI data shows 24 active shooter incidents in 2024, a 50% decrease from 48 incidents in 2023. Gun deaths declined for the third consecutive year in 2024, dropping 12% to approximately 16,700. However, firearms are involved in 74% of murders. Early 2025 data indicates 261 mass shootings and 8,878 gun-related deaths through mid-year. The US experiences significantly higher rates of gun violence compared to other developed nations, with mass shootings occurring at rates not seen in comparable countries. Active shooter incidents increased 70% from 2015 to 2019 compared to 2020 to 2024, though recent years show a downward trend. The prevalence of firearms and relatively permissive gun laws in many states contribute to ongoing concerns. Most mass shooting victims are family members or acquaintances of the shooter rather than strangers, though public incidents receive more attention. Gun assault incidents in cities dropped 21% in the first half of 2025 compared to 2024. Despite recent declines, the baseline level of gun violence remains substantially higher than in other high-income nations, creating a risk environment that visitors from countries with stricter gun control may find unfamiliar.
Political Unrest
Political unrest in the United States has been characterized by protests and demonstrations rather than widespread violent conflict. Between January 2023 and August 2024, approximately 18,481 demonstrations occurred, including 18,356 protests and 125 riots. The most protest activity occurred in New York with 2,929 protests, while California recorded the highest number of riots at 39. Multiple factors drive civil unrest, including political polarization, international conflicts like the Gaza war, economic distress, and immigration policy. Major protest activity in 2025 has centered on immigration enforcement, particularly in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and other cities following increased ICE operations. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have also been significant, particularly around political events. The 2024 presidential election period saw heightened concerns about potential political violence, though widespread unrest did not materialize. Since 2016, the US has experienced 213 incidents of political violence resulting in 39 deaths. Political demonstrations are constitutionally protected and generally occur peacefully, though some escalate into confrontations with law enforcement. Business operations can be affected when protests occur in commercial districts or disrupt transportation. Most demonstrations are localized and do not affect broader travel or business activities. The decentralized nature of protests means they typically impact specific neighborhoods or city blocks rather than entire metropolitan areas.
Areas To Avoid
Crime rates vary dramatically across the United States by city and region. Memphis has the highest violent crime rate among major cities at 2,501 per 100,000 people. Other cities with elevated violent crime include Detroit, Baltimore, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Kansas City, Little Rock, and Oakland. These cities experience violent crime rates three to six times the national average. Specific neighborhoods within these cities see even higher concentrations of crime. Baltimore was identified as having the highest murder rate among large cities in 2024. Memphis recorded 145 murder victims in the first eight months of 2025. Detroit, while still considered dangerous, experienced its lowest homicide count in over 50 years in 2024. Property crime is particularly high in cities like Seattle, Oakland, Stockton, and Las Vegas. Certain tourist areas in major cities can experience elevated rates of theft and property crime despite overall safe conditions elsewhere in the same city. Rural areas generally experience lower crime rates than urban centers, with nonmetropolitan counties seeing a 4.6% decrease in violent crime in 2024. States with the lowest overall crime rates include Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The safest regions tend to be in northern New England and parts of the upper Midwest. High-crime areas often correlate with economic challenges, including unemployment, housing instability, and limited access to services. Crime patterns can change rapidly, with some cities experiencing significant improvements while others see increases.
