What makes up America?

So, what exactly makes up America? Is it just the landmass stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific, or is it the diverse mix of cultures, traditions, and people that call this place home? Do the grand landscapes and bustling cities contribute to the American identity, or is it the values and ideals that have shaped our nation's history? How much do our political systems, economic structures, and social movements define us as Americans? And, ultimately, how do we balance the competing forces that make up this complex and fascinating country?