SHOPPING IN THE UNITED STATES:  The United States of America is prominently located in North America, bounded by Canada to the North, Mexico and the Caribbean to the South, the Atlantic Ocean to the East and the Pacific Ocean to the West.  The state of Hawaii is a group of islands in the mid-Pacific and the state of Alaska lies on the NW coast of Canada stretching westward towards Siberia. The population is app. 302,000,000 and the capital is Washington, DC (District of Columbia).  The U.S. has the world’s largest and most diverse economy, and shopping in the United States offers an abundance of every type of merchandise and service.  The U.S. is a global leader in retailing, and shopping in the United States sets the trend for merchandising and retail display.  Additionally, the U.S. plays a dominant role in online merchandising, so shopping in the United States includes substantial e-commerce opportunities.  The retailing sector of the U.S. is so highly developed that the traveler or online shopper may find it difficult to ascribe a distinct theme or area of specialty to shopping in the United States.  Most major manufacturers from every country market in the U.S., so shopping in the United States offers a global experience. There will be no problem finding specialty shops and department stores of every type across the country, as well as large shopping malls and centers, making shopping in the United States extremely convenient.  Competition and an easy supply of goods keeps pricing competitive, so travelers often find that shopping in the United States is filled with bargains!  The larger cities, such as New York, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, Dallas, and so many others, compare favorably with major cities worldwide in terms of quality and quantity of retail venues, making shopping in the United States a paradise.  The service sector is vast, and whether shopping in the United States for banking, real estate or travel, the choices will be mind-boggling. The variety and availability of food  is second to none, and when shopping in the United States one can sample cuisine from every corner of the globe—or just enjoy a good ol’ American hot dog!