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Sammy

Facts & Figures:
Early America

Population

In the 15th century, two to 18 million Native Americans lived in what is now the U.S.A.

Population 1630 - 2000
Immigration 1821 - 2004
 
Geography

The term"America" was originally applied to South America and the West Indies; later for the lands of the Western Hemisphere.

Land Area 1790 - 2000
Statehood
 

Money

Most tribes combined hunting, gathering and the cultivation of products for food supplies. There was trade among various groups. Money in the modern sense was unknown, but Native Indians collected oblong shells which they polished and sawed into beads. These beads were then strung on leather strings to lengths of shells called wampum.

Dutch traders adopted it as a money substitute and wampun was used in New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Money consisted of gold and silver coins from England, Spain and other countries. The Spanish Dollar served as the "unofficial" national currency of the American colonies. The first paper money was issued by the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1690.

Prices: 1860 - 1890 | 1900 - 1999
Price Index
Value of the Dollar 1800 - 2000
 
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U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Germany /Public Affairs/ Information Resource Centers 
Updated: April 2006