Pre-Departure Orientation Manual - US Agency for International ...

06/14/2012 New Edition
cities in the regions include Raleigh, North Carolina; Columbia, South Carolina; and Nashville,
Tennessee. The mid-southern region of the U.S. bases its economy on manufactured products
such as textiles, tobacco, chemicals, farming, mining, furniture production and tourism.
Deep South: This region is known for “southern hospitality” and remembered as where the
Civil War both began and ended. Small agricultural communities are a striking contrast to the
booming economies of the larger cities. Such cities as Atlanta, Georgia; Miami and Orlando,
Florida; Montgomery, Alabama; and Baton Rouge, Louisiana have all changed the stereotype of
the original quiet southern plantations of the south. Recent developments in industries such as
agribusiness, textile manufacturing, transportation equipment, mining, forestry, petrochemicals
and tourism have shown that the south is prepared to compete in the 21st century.
South West: The Southwestern region has been
popularized by old west tales of cowboys and Indians, but
many things have changed in the area. The economy of
the region has become quite diverse and includes such
industries as mining, electronics, fabricated metals,
agriculture, oil and natural gas, food products, lumber,
scientific technology and tourism. Many large cities have
experienced tremendous growth from recent economic
developments in the south. Dallas and Fort Worth,
Texas; Phoenix, Arizona; Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New
Mexico have recently become well known cities in the U.S.
CLIMATE ZONES
The type of climate and weather you will experience on your program in the U.S. depends a great deal
on the location of your university. Temperatures vary a lot throughout the U.S. and seven climate
zones can be found across the country. Winter brings frequent snowfalls in the northern states, while
the South generally remains temperate throughout the year. The Southwest tends to have hot, dry air,
whereas the Southeast has hot, humid air. However, to some extent Americans are insulated from the
natural weather extremes by their routine use of air-conditioning and heat. Homes, office, cars and
buses are generally air-conditioned or heated to maintain 20-22 C (68-72 F). The United States is a
very large country and as a result you may encounter, as isolated circumstances, certain weather
conditions you would not be familiar with in Europe such as tornados or hurricanes. You will usually be
alerted (by email from your university or on a local weather or news channel) if your area may be
involved in such a weather pattern and what to do.
CLIMATE OF 51 SELECTED U.S. CITIES
City
Average monthly temperature (°F) Precipitation Snowfall
Jan. April July Oct.
Average annual Average
annual
(in.) (days) (in.)
Albuquerque, New Mexico 35.7 55.6 78.5 57.3 9.47 60 11.0
Anchorage, Alaska 15.8 36.3 58.4 34.1 16.08 115 70.8
Atlanta, Georgia 42.7 61.6 80.0 62.8 50.20 115 2.1
Baltimore, Maryland 32.3 53.2 76.5 55.4 41.94 115 21.5
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