COUNTRY FACTS

 

Population:
280,562,489 (2002)

Location:
North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico

Area:
9,629,091 sq km

Language:
English, Spanish (spoken by a sizable minority)

Literacy:
97% (age 15 and over can read and write)

Compulsory Education:
The period of compulsory education is generally from the ages of 6 to 16. Education is compulsory, beginning at age 7 in twenty-one states, at 6 in eighteen states, at 5 in nine and at 8 in two states. Due to the different state laws governing the structure and organization of education programs, the length of compulsory school attendance also varies: nine years in sixteen states; ten years in nineteen states; eleven years in seven states; twelve years in six states; and thirteen years in two states. 

Currency:
U.S. dollar (USD)

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This country profile was developed by WES with funding from the Government of Ontario.

Revised: 05/06/2004
© 2003 World Education Services.
All rights reserved.