North America1

NORTH AMERICA

Geographical description q 3rd largest continent in Northern Hemisphere q Area : 24,709,000 km 2 (9,400,000 mi2 ) q Population : 528,720,588(July 2008) est. q Time Zones :- UTC (Danmarkshavn, Greenland) to UTC -10:00 (west Aleutians)

HISTORY • DISCOVERED IN 1492 BY COLUMBUS • NAMED AFTER ITALIAN EXPLORER AMERIGO VESPUCCI (TRAVELED IN 1497-1502)

Geog. Description(cont.)

Mexico City is the most populous city in North America.

Geog. Description(cont.)

New York City, the largest city in the United States, a major world city and one of the most diverse cities on earth.

Geog. Description(cont.)

Toronto is the most populous city in Canada and one of the world's most ethnically diverse cities.

Introduction of island • Canada, • United States of America, • United Mexican States(Mexico) • 20 Other smaller

CANADA

Canada • • • • • • • •

Capital – Ottawa Currency –Dollar Date of Independence – 01st July 1867 Area -9976139 sq Km P.C.I.- 35200 $ Language –English, French Literacy – 99% Government type- confederation with parliamentary Democracy

BUSINESS ATTIQUETES APPEARANCE • Plan for a very cold climate, especially during their winter. • Men should wear a dark conservative business suit with tie, especially in cities. Build a wardrobe based on classic lines (selecting suits with a traditional lapel width, and ties staying within a traditional width range). Conservative colors of navy and gray, and shirts in white and light blue. • Women should wear a conservative business suit or dress, especially in cities. Select your clothing with classic lines and colors in mind. Navy, gray, ivory, and white are the basics to work with. The major cities can be very sophisticated. • Casual attire is appropriate when you are not working. The weather and activity will dictate what you will be wearing. Build a casual wardrobe using the classic colors (camel is additional color for casual). You will look professional, even though relaxed.

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 Be punctual for meetings and appointments, as promptness is valued. In French areas, time is more relaxed. However, you will be expected to arrive at the appointed time, even if the French attending the meeting don't.  Always maintain a reserved demeanor, and follow good rules of etiquette. Traditions and gracious manners are part of the culture, even in more rural areas. If you travel to different cities or areas, pay attention to local customs.  Do not eat while walking in public. Plan your time so you can stop in a café or restaurant to enjoy your snack.  Gifts are not routinely given. If you do give a gift when you arrive or when you are leaving, make it a modest one. A lavish gift, though accepted, would be frowned upon.  Gifts are given to celebrate finalizing a negotiation, a contract, or a project. Gifts for the office, a nice bottle of wine or liquor would be appropriate.  Taking a business associate to a nice meal or an evening sporting event, play, or symphony is always a nice gesture.

Prevalent religions

USA

United States of America • • • • • • • •

Capital – Washington D.C. Currency – US Dollar Date of Independence – 04 July 1776 Area – 9826630 sq Km P.C.I.- 44000 $ Language – English Literacy – 99% Government type- Federal Republic

BUSINESS ATTIQUETES Behavior  •  Business conversation may take place during meals. However, many times you will find more social conversation taking place during the actual meal. •  Business meetings may be arranged as breakfast meetings, luncheon meetings, or dinner meetings depending on time schedules and necessity. Generally a dinner, even though for business purposes, is treated as a social meal and a time to build rapport. •  Gift giving is discouraged or limited by many US companies. A gracious written note is always appropriate and acceptable. •  If you do give a gift, it should not appear to be a bribe. •  An invitation for a meal or a modest gift is usually acceptable. •  If you are someplace with a line or queue, go to the end and wait your turn.

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 Business suit and tie are appropriate in all major cities. Wear dark colored business suits in classic colors of gray and navy. For an important formal meeting, choose a white dress shirt, for less formal a light blue shirt will still give you a conservative appearance.  Women should wear a suit or dress with jacket in major cities. Wearing classic clothing and classic colors of navy, gray, ivory, and white will ensure you give a confident and conservative appearance.  Rural areas and areas with extremely warm summers have more informal wardrobe requirements.  Women may wear a business dress, or skirt and blouse, in rural areas.  Men may conduct business without wearing a jacket and/or tie in rural areas.  The formality of a meeting, even in rural areas, may dictate a sports jacket and tie for men. The same formality will require a woman to wear a dress, possibly with a jacket.  Clothing, whether formal or casual, should be clean and neat in

Prevalent religions

MEXICO

Mexico Capital – Mexico city Currency – New peso Date of Independence – 24 Sep 1821 Area – 1972547 sq Km P.C.I.- 10700 $ Language – Spanish and Amerindian languages • Literacy – 91 % • Government type- Federal Republic • • • • • •

BUSINESS ATTIQUETES Appearance •  Men should wear a conservative dark suit and tie. Your wardrobe should include suits that have classic lines and tailoring in gray or navy, and white or light blue shirts. A white shirt is more formal and should be worn when the formality of the meeting dictates. •  Women should wear a dress or skirt and blouse. A classic suit may also be worn. Build a wardrobe using classic lines, classic skirt lengths, and basic classic colors - gray, navy, white, and ivory. •  Men may wear pants and a light shirt for casual. Plan a casual wardrobe using the classic colors, plus camel, and you will be casual, yet polished. Should you have the opportunity to wear a guayabera, the wonderful traditional lightweight shirt, you wear is out over your pants. This design is very comfortable in warmer weather. •  Standing with your hands on your hips suggests aggressiveness, and keeping your hands in your pockets is impolite. •  Mexicans may not make eye contact. This is a sign of respect and should not be taken as an affront.

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 Men shake hands upon meeting and leaving, and will wait for a woman to be the first to offer her hand.  Women may shake hands with men and other women. Many times a woman may pat another woman's shoulder or forearm, or kiss on the cheek.  Longtime friends may embrace, and after several meetings you may also be greeted with an embrace.  Punctuality is not rigid because of the emphasis on personal obligations. The best time for appointments is between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., with late afternoon a second choice.  Business lunches, rather than dinners are the traditional form of business entertaining and are usually prolonged affairs, beginning between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. and lasting three to four hours, with little time being devoted to actual business. Lunches are an essential part of business to establish a personal relationship.  Working breakfasts are also popular, meeting at 8:00 or 8:30 at your hotel, and usually lasting two hours at the most.

Prevalent religions

PLACES OF ATTRACTION HAWAII FACTS • SOUTHERNMOST U.S. STATE • MOST ISOLATED POPULATION(2390 MILES FROM CALIFORNIA, 3850 MI FROM JAPAN, 4900 MI FROM CHINA, 5280 MI FROM PHILLPINES) • ONLY US STATE GROWING COFFEE

CONTD. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

(AT THE INTERSECTION OF FIFTH AVENUE AND 34TH STREET) FACTS • IT IS A 102 STOREY ART DECO SKYSCRAPER • IT WAS COMPLETED IN 1 YR. AND 45 DAYS. • AS OF 2007, APPX. 21,000

CONTD. LOS ANGELES • THE USA’S 4TH LARGEST ECONOMY • THE WORLD’S 11TH LARGEST ECONOMY IN TERMS OF GDP • IT HAS 90 STAGE THEATRES AND MORE THAN 300 MUSEUMS

CONT. CHICAGO • IT IS THE 3RD LARGEST CITY OF US • 22ND LARGEST URBAN AREA IN THE WORLD • IT HOMES 6,000 RESTAURANTS • THE WORLD’S LARGEST PUBLIC LIBRARY, HAROLD, WASHINGTON LIBRARY CENTER WITH A COLLECTION OF 2 MILLION BOOKS

NEW YORK • 3RD MOST POPULOUS CITY OF US • NAMED AFTER ENGLAND’S DUKE OF YORK • TOILET PAPER WAS INVENTED BY JOSEPH C. GAYETTY OF NY, IN 1857.

TORONTO • • • • • •

CN TOWER BATA SHOE MUSEUM CASA LOMA AFRICAN LION SAFARI TORONTO ISLAND PARK TORONTO ZOO