United States of America

Mickey Mouse, Miami Vice, Sleepless in Seattle... thanks to cinema and TV we all have impressions of the United States of America. Yet nothing can prepare you for your first glimpse of Manhattan’s unforgettable skyline, your first ride in a yellow cab, the ubiquitous hamburger joints, the vast expanses of prairie, the sweet strains of New Orleans jazz or the neon-lit excesses of Las Vegas.

The USA is a huge country to explore, with 50 states to choose from, flanked by two oceans and covering an incredibly varied terrain. For five centuries, since the ’New World’ discoveries of Christopher Columbus, people from every corner of the globe have come here in search of ’the American Dream’. Between them, they have created the richest, most powerful country on earth, and a fascinating melting pot of cultures and traditions.

Vast plains, mountain ranges, deserts, soaring skyscrapers, stunning coastlines, impressive national parks and a thriving cultural scene; the USA has it all, plus some.

Before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in North America in 1492, the continent was inhabited by peoples thought to have been descended from nomadic Mongolian tribes who had travelled across the Barents Sea. The first wave of European settlers, mainly English, French and Dutch, crossed the Atlantic in the 17th century and colonised the Eastern Seaboard. The restrictions on political rights and the punitive taxation which the British government imposed on the American colonists led to the American War of Independence (1775-1783), with the Declaration of Independence being signed in 1776. The outcome was a humiliating defeat for the English King, George III. The American Constitution born of this victory has been imitated by many other countries.

By 1853, the boundaries of the USA were, with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii, as they are today. Economic activity in the southern states centred on plantation agriculture dependent on slavery. Attempts by liberally-inclined Republicans, led by Abraham Lincoln, to end slavery were fiercely opposed. The election of Lincoln to the presidency in 1861 precipitated a political crisis in which seven southern States (joined later by three others) seceded from the Union, leading to the American Civil War. After the four years of war, the country entered a period of consolidation, building up an industrial economy and settling the vast interior region of America known as the Midwest.

The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon on 11 September 2001, which claimed over 3,000 lives, made for a defining moment in American history. The impact on the American people and its body politic was immense. The country demanded action, and President George W Bush immediately launched a ‘war on terror’.

Author

Teresa Fisher

North America.

Area

9,809,155 sq km (3,787,319 sq miles).

Population

300 million (US Census Bureau estimate 2006).

Population Density

32.5 per sq km.

Capital

Washington, DC. Population: 550,521 (official estimate 2005). 20 other cities have a population larger than that of Washington, DC. New York is the largest city, with a population of over 8 million. Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Antonio and San Diego, had populations of over 1 million in 2000.

Government

Federal Republic since 1789. Gained independence from the UK in 1776. The USA is a Federal Republic with 50 States and the District of Columbia (as in ‘Washington, DC’), which lies between Maryland and Virginia. The Constitution (the final arbiters of which are the members of the Supreme Court) ensures that the powers of the executive, legislature, judiciary, presidency and the individual states are balanced by constitutional procedures. The president is elected by an electoral college system, based on universal adult suffrage, every four years. No president may be elected to serve more than two full terms of office. The legislature is bicameral; the Senate has two members from each state while the larger House of Representatives allocates seats on the basis of population. Collectively these two bodies are known as Congress. Each state enjoys a fairly high degree of self-government. 
Recent History:

Covering a large part of the North American continent, the USA shares borders with Canada to the north and Mexico to the south and has coasts on the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. The State of Alaska, in the northwest corner of the continent, is separated from the rest of the country by Canada, and Hawaii lies in the central Pacific Ocean. The third-largest country in the world (after the Russian Federation and Canada), the USA has an enormous diversity of geographical features. The climate ranges from subtropical to Arctic, with a corresponding breadth of flora and fauna. For a more detailed description of each region’s geographical characteristics, see the individual State sections.

Language

English, with significant Spanish-speaking minorities.

Religion

Protestant majority with Roman Catholic, Jewish and many ethnic minorities.

Time

The USA is divided into six time zones:
Eastern Standard Time: GMT - 5 (GMT - 4 from second Sunday in March to first Sunday in November).
Central Standard Time: GMT - 6 (GMT - 5 from second Sunday in March to first Sunday in November).
Mountain Standard Time: GMT - 7 (GMT - 6 from second Sunday in March to first Sunday in November. Arizona does not observe DST).
Pacific Standard Time: GMT - 8 (GMT - 7 from second Sunday in March to first Sunday in November).
Alaska: GMT - 9 (GMT - 8 from second Sunday in March to first Sunday in November).
Hawaii: GMT - 10.

Social Conventions

The wide variety of national origins and the USA’s relatively short history has resulted in numerous cultural and traditional customs living alongside each other. In large cities, people of the same ethnic background often live within defined communities. Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting. A relaxed and informal atmosphere is usually the norm. As long as the fundamental rules of courtesy are observed, there need be no fear of offending anyone of any background. Americans are renowned for their openness and friendliness to visitors. Gifts are appreciated if one is invited to a private home. As a rule, dress is casual. Smart restaurants, hotels and clubs insist on suits and ties or long dresses. Smoking is becoming increasingly unpopular in the US and is often considered offensive; it is essential to ask permission from all present before lighting up. Smoking is forbidden on city transport and often restricted or forbidden in public buildings. There will usually be a notice where no smoking is requested and most restaurants have smoking and non-smoking sections. Several states (including California and New York) have banned smoking altogether in bars, restaurants and many public places.

Electricity

110 volts AC, 60Hz. Plugs are of the flat two-pin type. European electrical appliances not fitted with dual-voltage capabilities will require a plug adaptor, which is best purchased before arrival in the USA.

Head of State

President George W Bush since 2001.

Information on the USA is provided in two parts: a general overview and individual State profiles, each of which has its own section.

Passport Note

(a) For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program (see below), passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry.
(b) All travellers entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program require individual machine-readable passports. Children included on a parent’s passport also now require their own machine-readable passport. Travellers not in possession of machine-readable passports will require a valid USA entry visa.
(c) Passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 will need to have a biometric identifier in order for the holder to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Machine-readable passports issued between 26 October 2005 and 25 October 2006 require a digital photograph printed on the data page or an integrated chip with information from the data page. Machine-readable passports issued on or after 26 October 2006 will require an integrated chip with information from the data page (e-passport).

New Requirements for Travellers: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, or other approved document, when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced as early as 1 January 2008.

For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: (website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html)

Passports

Valid passport required by all nationals of countries referred to in the chart above; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport; check with the embassy (see Contact Addresses).

Visas

Not required by nationals of countries referred to in the chart above except the following: 1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic, who do require a visa.

Visa Note

(a) Landed Immigrants of Canada and British residents of Bermuda who are citizens of, and have valid passports from, Commonwealth countries or Ireland are not eligible to enter the USA without a visa. (b) All passengers using US airports for transit purposes are required to obtain a transit visa. This does not affect qualified travellers travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. (d) To qualify for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals must travel on a valid passport, for holiday, transit or business purposes only and for a stay not exceeding 90 days. (e) Passengers must have the full address and ZIP code of where they are staying in the USA to be able to fully complete the I-94W form. Note: Airlines are also required to collect passenger details, including the address of their first night’s accommodation in the USA, before they board the aircraft. (f) 2. Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. (g) A visa does not expire with the expiry of the holder’s passport. An unexpired, endorsed visa in an expired passport may be presented for entry into the USA, as long as the visa itself has not been cancelled, is undamaged, is less than 10 years old and is presented with a valid non-expired passport, provided that both passports are for the same nationality. (h) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Types of Visa and Cost

Tourist, Business, Transit and Student: US$100.

Validity

Visas may be used for travel to the USA until the date it expires. Some visas are valid for multiple entries. The length of stay in the USA is determined by US immigration officials at the time of entry but is generally six months; there is, however, no set time.

Applications to:

Embassy or consulate (see Contact Addresses).

Working Days Required

Usually five after interview. Some cases may take up to 60 days – check with embassy/consulate (see Contact Addresses).

Currency

US Dollar (US$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of US$100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of US$1, and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents.

Currency Exchange

Hotels do not, as a rule, exchange currency and only a few major banks will exchange foreign currency, so it is advisable to arrive with US Dollars.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

Most major credit cards are accepted throughout the USA, including American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa. Visitors are advised to carry at least one major credit card, as it is common to request prepayment or a credit card imprint for hotel rooms and car hire, even when final payment is not by credit card.

Traveller's Cheques

Widely accepted in hotels, stores and restaurants, provided they are US Dollar cheques; Pound Sterling traveller’s cheques are not acceptable and few banks will change these. Change is issued in US Dollars. It should be noted that many banks do not have the facility to cash traveller’s cheques and those that do are likely to charge a high commission. One or (in some cases) two items of identification (passport, credit card, driving licence) may also be required. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars.

Banking Hours

Variable, but generally Mon-Fri 0900-1700.

Exchange Rate Indicators

Getting Around By Air

The USA may be crossed within five hours from east to west and within two hours from north to south. Strong competition between airlines has resulted in a wide difference between fares. Categories of fares include first-class, economy, excursion and discount. Night flights are generally cheaper.

Note: Baggage allowance is often determined by number and size in addition to weight.

Air Passes

Visit USA (VUSA) Airpass: offered by the principal US airlines (often in conjunction with British Airways). The pass provides money-saving schemes for overseas visitors including discounts on internal flights and can be purchased in advance. (Delta offers a similar scheme branded as Discover America.) These passes are offered as a minimum of three and a maximum of 10 coupons entitling the passenger to that number of flights within the USA at a discounted fare; price is based on the number of flight segments. A number of restrictions usually apply.

Getting Around by Water

There are extensive water communications both along the coastline and along the great rivers and lakes. The Ohio River carries more water traffic than any other inland waterway in the world. Tour ships and passenger and freight lines crisscross all the Great Lakes from ports in Duluth, Sault Sainte Marie, Milwaukee, Chicago, Detroit, Buffalo, Rochester, Cleveland and Toronto.

Getting Around by Rail

Nearly all the long-distance trains are operated by Amtrak, which serves more than 500 communities in 45 states over a 35,000km (22,000-mile) route system. Even so, rail is not considered the best way to travel within the USA, as trains can be slow and infrequent, as well as expensive.

The Acela Express high-speed rail service along the northeast corridor between Boston, New York and Washington, DC is capable of travelling up to 240kph (150mph). This reduces the standard three-hour trip between Washington, DC and New York by 30 minutes and the New York to Boston journey from four hours 30 minutes to three hours.

Other routes from Washington, DC run south to Miami and New Orleans, and from Boston, New York or Washington, DC to Chicago. From Chicago, daily services radiate to Seattle, Portland, Oakland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New Orleans and San Antonio (via Fort Worth). Connections also exist between Los Angeles and San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco, San Francisco and Bakersfield, San Francisco and Seattle (via Portland), San Antonio and Oklahoma City, New Orleans and Atlanta, and Kansas City and St Louis, amongst others. A coast-to-coast train service is provided between Jacksonville and Los Angeles via Tucson, El Paso, San Antonio, Houston and New Orleans.

A variety of state and municipal bodies operate short-distance and commuter rail lines around various urban centres, many connected to stops on the Amtrak lines. Amtrak also operates a Thruway bus service, which connects to some cities and towns not on the Amtrak grid. A number of independent companies offer short routes, often in scenic locations, onboard vintage trains. These routes are often a good idea for travellers wishing to reach wilderness locations that are off the beaten track.

For full details on schedules and prices, contact Amtrak (tel: 1 800 872 7245; website: www.amtrak.com); or, in the UK, Leisurail (tel: 0800 698 7545 or 0870 750 0222).

Rail Passes

USA Rail Pass: specifically designed for international travellers from outside the USA or Canada. Offers 15 or 30 days of unlimited travel either on a national or regional basis.

National USA Rail Pass: offers travel on the whole Amtrak network in the USA and Canada (excluding Auto Train, Metroliner and Acela Express between Boston, New York and Washington). The peak season is from 28 May to 1 September and off-peak fares are in effect for the remainder of the year. Children under two years of age travel free and those aged two to 15 pay half the adult fare.

Northeast Rail Pass: valid on trains from Newport News (Virginia) north to Boston (Massachusetts), Burlington (Vermont) and Montréal (Canada), west from Philadelphia to Harrisburg (both Pennsylvania), west from New York City to Niagara Falls (New York State), and all stations in between.

East Rail Pass: covers the region east of Chicago (Illinois) and New Orleans (Louisiana) up to Montréal.

West Rail Pass: covers the region west of Chicago to Seattle (Washington State), Portland (Oregon), San Francisco and Los Angeles (both California).

Far West Rail Pass:covers the region from Denver (Colorado) to Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Coastal Rail Pass: covers the west coast and from Seattle to San Diego (California).

Passes can be purchased prior to travel to the USA or at Amtrak stations, upon presentation of a valid passport issued outside Canada or the USA. Passports and passes must be presented for the issuance of rail tickets. Travellers should contact Amtrak (tel: 1 800 872 7245; website: www.amtrak.com) for details.

Getting Around by Road

Driving is a marvellous way to see the USA, although the distances between cities can be enormous (eg 4,716km (2,930 miles) between San Francisco and New York City). Driving conditions are excellent and the road system reaches every town. Traffic drives on the right.

AAA (American Automobile Association) (website: www.aaa.com) offers touring services  and travel advice to affiliate auto club members. Some AAA clubs offer referrals to companies for vehicle insurance policies, which are compulsory in all states, even for hire cars.

Coach:Greyhound (tel: 1 800 231 2222 or (214) 849 8100; website: www.greyhound.com) is the main national coach carrier and covers the whole of the USA. Some Greyhound services are available to Canada and Mexico. There are express bus services between major cities. Air conditioning, toilets and reclining seats are available on all buses. Unlimited stopovers are allowed for unrestricted fares.

Bus passes:Greyhound offers a range of Discovery Pass programmes, valid for four to 60 days in the USA and/or Canada, which can be purchased by US, Canadian and overseas travellers. The International Ameripass is 10 to 15% cheaper than the domestic version, but must be purchased outside the USA and Canada. The Ameripass, gives seven, 10, 15, 21, 30, 45 or 60 days unlimited travel throughout the USA and some points within Mexico. A four-day pass is also available, but only to overseas visitors. Passes are validated at the ticket counter at the beginning of the trip and identification must be shown; individual tickets are not necessary. The pass is valid for a continuous period (depending on which pass is purchased) starting from validation. Unlimited stops are allowed.

Discounted fares are available for children aged two to 12 years, passengers over 62 years old and students enrolled in undergraduate or postgraduate study. A variety of regional discounts are also available.

For further details, contact Greyhound on one of their Discovery Pass numbers (tel: 1 888 454 7277, if purchased in the USA, or 1 888 661 8747, if purchased in Canada, or (402) 330 8552 or 8584, if purchased overseas).

Car hire: Major international companies have offices at all gateway airports and in most cities. There are discounts available for foreign visitors. A drop-off charge will most likely be added if the car is deposited in a different city from the one in which it was hired. Minimum ages for hirers vary according to the company. Those looking to hire a car in the USA can save money through fly-drive deals and by booking a car in advance.

Drive away:Auto Driveaway provides a service enabling the traveller to drive cars to and from a given point, only paying the price of petrol. A deposit is often required and time and mileage limits are set for delivery, which leaves very little time for sightseeing (there are heavy financial penalties for those who exceed the limits). Drivers should also check the car beforehand, so as not to incur any unnecessary repair costs. Some companies allow the driver to finish the journey in Canada. For further information, contact Auto Driveaway (tel: (312) 341 1900; website: www.autodriveaway.com).

Campers/motorhomes: The hire of self-drive campers or motorhomes, which are called ‘recreational vehicles’ or RVs in the USA, is easy and provides a good means of getting around. For more information contact The Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (tel: (480) 464 7300; website: www.cruiseamerica.com).

Regulations: The speed limit is usually 55mph (89kph) on motorways, but varies from state to state. Speed limits are clearly indicated along highways and are strictly enforced, with heavy fines imposed. Note that it is illegal to pass a school bus that has stopped to unload its passengers (using indicators and warning lights) and all vehicles must stop until the bus has moved back into the traffic stream. It is illegal for drivers not to have their licences immediately to hand. If stopped, do not attempt to pay a driving fine on the spot (unless it is demanded), as it may be interpreted as an attempt to bribe. There are extremely tough laws against drinking and driving throughout the USA. These laws are strictly enforced.

Documentation: An International Driving Permit is recommended, although it is not legally required (it is often very useful as an additional proof of identity). A full national driving licence is accepted for up to one year. All travellers intending to hire or drive cars or motorhomes in the USA are strongly advised to ensure that the insurance policy covers their total requirements, covering all drivers and passengers against injury or accidental death. A yellow ‘non-resident, interstate liability insurance card’, which acts as evidence of financial responsibility, is available through motor insurance agents. Additional Collision Damage Waiver covering the car itself is also strongly recommended; in some states this extra insurance is included in hire rates by law.

Getting Around Towns and Cities

There are numerous underground train systems in operation in major cities including New York (subway), Washington, DC (metro), Boston (‘T’), Chicago (train) and San Francisco (BART – Bay Area Rapid Transit); others are being planned or built. There are also several tramway and trolleybus systems, including the much-loved antique trams found in San Francisco.

Food and Drink

In large cities, restaurants are mostly modern and very clean, offering a vast range of cuisines, prices and facilities. Restaurants come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from fast-food, self-service and counter service to drive-in and table service. The ‘diner’ is an integral part of the US way of life; consisting of a driveway, neon lights and simple food served from the counter; these are generally located in or just outside smaller towns. See Food and Drink in the individual state sections for further details on regional specialities.

Things to know: There are also many types of bars, ranging from the smart cocktail lounge, cafe-style, high ‘saloon’ style bars and imitations of English pubs to the ‘regular’ bar. Generally speaking, waiter/waitress service costs more. Drinking laws are set by the individual states, counties, municipalities and towns, although traditionally closing time in bars is between midnight and 0300.

National specialities:
• Fried chicken.
• Hamburgers.
• Apple pie.

National drinks:
• Coca-Cola.
• Regional wines.
• Microbrewery beer.

Legal drinking age: The legal age for drinking also varies from 18 to 21 from state to state and the laws on the availability of alcohol run from New Orleans’ policy of anytime, anywhere and to anyone, to localities, such as parts of Utah, where drinking is strictly prohibited.

Tipping: Widely practised, as service charges are not usually included in the bill and waiters depend heavily on tips for their income. Waiters generally expect 15 to 20%. It should be noted that a cover charge is for admission to an establishment, not a tip for service.

Nightlife

Clubs generally stay open until the early hours in cities, where one can find music and theatre of all descriptions. Theatre tickets for Broadway, New York’s equivalent of London’s West End ‘Theatreland’, can be booked through the Group Sales Box Office (tel: 1 800 223 7565 or (212) 398 8383; website: www.bestofbroadway.com). Gambling is only allowed in licensed casinos and the legal age for gamblers is 21 years of age or over.

Shopping

Variety, late opening hours, competitive prices and an abundance of modern goods typify US shopping. Many small stores, specialist food shops and hypermarkets are open 24 hours a day. Clothes and electronic goods can be bought direct from factories. Retail outlets range from flea markets and bargain stores to large chain department stores. Malls are a popular way of shopping in the USA and consist of a cluster of different kinds of shops in one building, often a few storeys high, connected by an indoor plaza.

Note that a sales tax is levied on most or all items in most states and the addition is not included on the price label; sales tax can be anywhere from 3 to 15%, depending on the state; some states have no sales tax at all.

Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0900/0930-1730/1800. There may be late-night shopping one or two evenings a week. Some states permit Sunday trading.

Statistics

•GDP: US$12.5 trillion (2005).
•Main exports: Machinery and transport equipment, computers, electric power equipment, industrial machinery, motor vehicles and parts, manufactured articles (especially scientific measuring equipment), and chemical elements and compounds, including plastic materials.
•Main imports: Machinery and transport equipment, engines, office machines, telecommunications equipment, manufactured articles (such as clothing, shoes, and toys), basic manufactured goods (such as iron, steel, and other metals), and paper and newsprint.
•Main trade partners: Canada, China (PR), Japan, Mexico, France, Germany, Korea (Rep), Taiwan and UK.

Economy

The US economy is the world’s largest, most powerful and most diverse. The roots of this lie in the physical expansion and development of the country during the 19th century. As a result, the USA benefited from a unique combination of mass immigration, technological and marketing innovations, exploitation of natural resources, the expansion of international trade, historical fortune (hugely destructive wars that caused immense damage to other world powers but left the USA virtually untouched) and the fostering of a political and economic system well designed to exploit them.

The enormous influence of US-based multinational companies in the world economy has not only afforded unique global influence to the US government but also allowed its currency to acquire unique international status.

Large areas of the USA, particularly in the Midwest, are under cultivation and produce a wide range of commodities: the most important of these are cotton, cereals and tobacco, all of which are exported on a large scale. The principal mining operations produce oil and gas, coal, copper, iron, uranium and silver. The US manufacturing industry is a world leader in many fields including steel, vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics and consumer goods.

Since the late 1970s, however, the biggest employer has been the service sector, particularly finance (including banking, insurance and equities), leisure and tourism. Services now account for three quarters of output and employment. New computer-based industries associated with the Internet, which began revolutionising lifestyles and commerce during the late 1990s, rose quickly, burned brightly and died suddenly.

Toward the close of 2000, many of these ‘dot-com’ industries plunged into bankruptcy. The USA’s technology sector went into decline and the country found itself in recession. Annual growth averaged around 4 to 5% during the late 1990s, but slipped to 2.2% as the economy slowed down. The events of September 2001 added to the pessimistic outlook for the economy, as several industries (notably civil aviation and tourism) suffered a sudden fall in demand. In addition to important IT and telecommunications industries, traditional manufacturing industries, such as steel, were also depressed.

In late 2003, a BSE scare caused a major upheaval in the USA’s meat industry, particularly affecting its exports (mainly to Japan). The internationally controversial war on Iraq has also threatened many trade friendships and lowered the value of the US Dollar (US$1 in 1990 had the same buying power as US$1.42 in 2003), although the USA’s economic might has been maintained.

The USA’s most important trade relationship is with Canada (which accounts for approximately 20% of all US trade). The two countries concluded a free trade agreement in 1989: this accord formed the basis for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), to which Mexico became a signatory in 1992. (NAFTA is of similar proportions to the EU in terms of population and economic output.)

Business Etiquette

Businesspeople are generally expected to dress smartly. Normal business courtesies should be observed, although Americans tend to be less formal than Europeans. Appointments and punctuality are normal procedure and business cards are widely used. Dates in America are written month-day-year: 4 July 2008 would thus be abbreviated as 7/4/08. Write out the month in full to avoid confusion.

Office hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1730.

Commercial Information

The Partnership for New York City
1 Battery Park Plaza, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10004, USA
Tel: (212) 493 7400.
Website: www.nycp.org

The US Chamber of Commerce
1615 H Street, NW, Washington, DC 20062, USA
Tel: (202) 659 6000 or 1 800 638 6583.
Website: www.uschamber.org

The Trade Information Center - US Department of Commerce
Tel: 1 800 872 8723.
Website: www.tradeinfo.doc.gov

The National Foreign Trade Council
1625 K Street, NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20006, USA
Tel: (202) 887 0278.
Website: www.nftc.org

British American Business Inc
52 Vanderbilt Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel: (212) 661 4060.

British American Business Inc in the UK
75 Brook Street, London W1K 4AD, UK
Tel: (020) 7467 7400.
Website: www.babinc.org

Conferences & Conventions

If for no other reason than its role in the world economy, the USA is an important conference destination; there are state, city and regional travel and convention organisations in every part of the country, each actively promoting its own assets. With so much information available, the real problem for the organiser is to find some way of getting through it all.

There are several magazines aimed at helping the conference organiser; they include Meeting & Conventions Magazine (website: www.meetings-conventions.com), Successful Meetings Magazine (website: www.successmtgs.com) and Corporate Meetings and Incentive Magazine (website: www.meetingsnet.com).

Home to three of the 10 largest convention venues in the USA, Las Vegas was the most popular US trade show venue in 2004, hosting some 174 shows, followed by New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Orlando, New Orleans, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington, DC.

Organisers interested in US venues should contact the US Travel Industry Association or the travel organisations listed in the individual state sections. In addition to the state organisations, addresses of travel and convention organisations for cities and counties are also included.

Telephone

Country code: 1. For emergency police, fire or medical services in major cities, dial 911. The following codes denote toll free (freephone) numbers: 800, 855, 866, 877 and 888. Telephone numbers with the prefix 900 are usually expensive.

Mobile Telephone

Foreign mobile telephones only work if they are tri- or quad-band; charges are high. Visitors can also hire a mobile telephone.

Internet

There are Internet cafes in most urban areas. Many of the international airports offer Internet access too.

Media

Freedom of expression in the US is guaranteed by the constitution. The USA has the most highly-developed mass media in the world. Public broadcasting is partly government-funded, but also supported by private grants.

Post

There are numerous post offices throughout the States. Stamps can also be bought at stamp machines in hotels and shops and at ATMs, at an extra cost. Airmail to Europe takes up to one week.

Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700 (24 hours at main offices in larger cities).

Press

• The most influential papers are the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and the Washington Post.
• Owing to the high degree of self-government of each state, newspapers tend to be region specific, although recent economic pressures have resulted in large-scale mergers. Even so, the USA publishes more newspapers than any other country, and has perhaps the bulkiest Sunday newspapers in the world, particularly the Sunday edition of The New York Times.

Radio

• Among the national radio networks are ABC Radio Networks, American Radio Network (operated by CBS), National Public Radio and Westwood One (operated by CBS).

See the individual state sections.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.

2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
15 Jan Martin Luther King Day.
19 Feb Presidents’ Day.
28 May Memorial Day.
4 Jul Independence Day.
3 Sep Labor Day.
8 Oct Columbus Day.
12 Nov Veterans’ Day.
22 Nov Thanksgiving Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day. 
21 Jan Martin Luther King Day. 
18 Feb Presidents’ Day.
26 May Memorial Day.
4 Jul Independence Day.
1 Sep Labor Day.
13 Oct Columbus Day.
11 Nov Veterans’ Day.
27 Nov Thanksgiving Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.