I think the USA must be the only county in the world where the majority of cars are manual (perhaps Canada is the only other one?).
I used to live in the UK and you can take your test there in an auto transmission car, but if you pass the test then you get a license that is ONLY valid for auto transmission. I don't know anyone who ever had this kind of license, everyone takes their test in a manual and then your license if valid for both kinds. I live in Finland now and here you take the driving test twice. First for summer road conditions and then if you pass that a seperate "winter" driving test. People in the USA have things somewhat easier
Richard