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What kind of information materials are available?
CD: Texts available on CD version.Texts available in multiple languages.
Map of the United States

Background
American Federalism, 1776 to 1997 CD
Council of State Governments
Federalism (ThisNation.com)
Federalism & Democracy CD
Federalism, State Sovereignty and the Constitution: Basis and Limits of Congressional Power (CRS Report) CD

Governing Magazine
Grading the States 2008 (PEW Center on the States)
National Conference of State Legislatures
National Governors Association
Outline of U.S. Government - A Country of Many Governments CD
Issues of Democracy: Reinventing American Federalism
CD
State and Local Government: Adapting to Change (E-Journal) CD
State Capitals Newsletters
Stateline. org
U.S. State Abbreviations

German
Daten & Fakten CD
Ein Land zahlreicher Regierungen CD

Original Documents
The Constitution of the United States: 10th Amendment - Reserved Powers
Federalist No. 46: The Influence of the State and Federal Governments Compared
Full-Text State Statutes and Legislation on the Internet
State Statutes by Topic (Cornell University Law School)
Full Text Search to State Laws (StateLaw)
U.S. State Constitutions and Websites
U.S. State and Territorial Laws (LawGuru.com)
U.S. State Law
Yahoo! > United States > Guide to State Constitutions


 

The state governments follow  the same pattern as the federal government, with power divided among the executive, legislative and judicial branches. In general, matters which lie entirely within state borders are the concern of state governments. These include internal communications; regulations relating to property, industry, business and public utilities; the state criminal code; and working conditions within the state. 

Within this context, the federal government requires that state governments not adopt laws which contradict or violate the Constitution or laws and treaties of the United States. There are many areas of overlap between state and federal jurisdictions.  The federal government has assumed ever broadening responsibility in matters relating to health, education, welfare, transportation, and housing and urban development. Programs in these areas are now often developed on a cooperative basis between the two levels of government.

See also: About the USA > Travel & Geography > The States & Territories

 
Statistics
State & County Quick Facts
 (U.S. Census Bureau)
State Data Center Program (U.S. Census Bureau)
State Fact Sheets (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
Statistical Abstract 2006: State and Local Government Finances and Employment (U.S. Census Bureau) CD

For High School Students
The 50 States (Teachers First)
America's Story from America's Library: Explore the States (Library of Congress)
Emblems and Symbols of the 50 States
(Social Studies for Kids)
The 50 States, A - Z (World Almanac for Kids)
First.gov for Kids - State Websites

Ben's Guide to U.S. Government: National versus State Government 
Stately Knowledge (Internet Public Library)

  Teacher Resources
The Logic of American Politics: Federalism (CQ Press)
The Federalist Debates: Balancing Power Between State and Federal Government (Edsitement)
Lesson Plans: Trust for Representative Democracy (National Conference of State Legislatures)
What Constitutes a State? (NYT Learning Network)

Link Lists
Capitols on the Internet
Color Landform Atlas of the United States
Contacting State and Local Government Agencies
State Government and Politics
State Governments
Library of Congress: State Government Information
State and Local Government on the Net
State and Local Sourcebook - State Home Pages
USA.gov: State and Territorial Governments

U.S. Census Regional Offices
Yahoo > U.S. Government > State Government
Texts are abridged from U.S. State Department IIP publications and other U.S. government materials.
 
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Any reference obtained from this server to a specific commercial product, process, or service does not constitute or imply an endorsement by the United States Government of the product, process, or service, or its producer or provider. The views and opinions expressed in any referenced document do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government.
 
US Embassy
U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Germany
/Public Affairs/ Information Resource Centers 
Updated: February 2009