Diversity & Immigration

The USA is the most diverse country in the world — a nation born of immigration and still shaped by it today. Over 330 million people from practically every country on earth live here: 60% White, 19% Hispanic/Latino, 13% African American, 6% Asian, 1.3% Native Americans/Alaska Natives, and a growing number of people of mixed heritage.

This diversity is reflected in everything: in the cuisine (you can eat authentic Mexican, Ethiopian, Korean, Indian, and Lebanese in every major city — often on the same street), in the music (Jazz, Blues, Hip-Hop, Country, Salsa — all American inventions), in the language (over 350 languages are spoken in the USA; in many cities, you need Spanish more than English), and in the religion (from megachurches to mosques, from Amish to Zen Buddhists).

At the same time, the USA is a country where race plays a much larger role than in Europe. The consequences of slavery, segregation, and systemic racism are still visible today — in wealth distribution, the education system, police violence, and the political landscape. As a European traveler, you may not necessarily experience these tensions directly, but you should be aware that they exist.