CREATE TABLE table_204_317 (id DECIMAL, "metropolitan area" TEXT, "country" TEXT, "rank" DECIMAL, "forstall\ 2003 est." DECIMAL, "official population" DECIMAL, "year" DECIMAL)

how many cities are in the united states ?
SELECT COUNT("metropolitan area") FROM table_204_317 WHERE "country" = 'united states'
SELECT COUNT("metropolitan area") FROM "table_204_317" WHERE "country" = 'united states'