United States: Points of Interest

POINTS OF INTEREST CULTURAL SITES   John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Washington, D.C. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts2700 F Street NW Washington District of Columbia 20566 United States of America Tel: [1] (202) 467 4600 Web: www.kennedy-center.org The history of Kennedy Center can be traced to 1958, when President Eisenhower created a national cultural center to present both classical and contemporary art. Although intended to be a self-sustaining facility, supported initially by a massive fund-raising campaign by John F. Kennedy, it currently benefits from federal funding. Designed by Edward Durrell Stone, the center features a magnificent foyer adorned with massive crystal chandeliers and red carpeting and is equipped with state-of-the art technology theaters and concert halls. The theater opened with a Requiem Mass by Leonard Bernstein honoring the late President Kennedy, and it has since become a cultural hub for music, dance, and theater in the capital.     Los Angeles Music Center Los Angeles, California Los Angeles Music Center135 North Grand Avenue Los Angeles California 90012 United States of America Tel: [1] (213) 972 7211 Web: www.musiccenter.org The Music Center was constructed in 1967 through a fundraising by Dorothy Chandler, who wished to establish a permanent home for the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The theater comprises four famous performing arts companies, the Center Theatre Group, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Los Angeles Opera, and Los Angeles Philharmonic, each with its own playbill and box office. The center covers an area of 4.5 hectares (11 acres) and houses the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, and Walt Disney Concert Hall, besides some smaller theaters and outdoor amphitheaters. A bronze sculpture named "the Dance Door," created by Robert Graham, adorns the atrium.     New York State Theater New York City, New York New York State Theater Lincoln Center Plaza Columbus Avenue and 63rd Street New York City New York 10023 United States of America Tel: [1] (212) 870 5570 Opened in 1964, this traditional proscenium theater, designed by Philip Johnson, seats 2,755 and features five-ringed balconies, a large spherical chandelier with 500 bulbs, and a gold-paneled ceiling. A series of refurbishments have expanded the theater and provided it with the most modern technology. The promenade is generously adorned with icons of modern art including gigantic Elie Nadelman sculptures carved in Carrara marble, the Circus Women and Two Nudes. The construction workers and their wives were the first audience at the opening performance of the ballets choreographed by George Balanchine. HISTORIC SITES   The Alamo San Antonio, Texas The Alamo 300 Alamo Plaza San Antonio, Texas United States of America Tel: Web: www.thealamo.org Symbolizing courage and sacrifice for liberty, the Alamo is the legendary mission where a small group of Texans, under the command of Sam Houston, held firm for 13 days against the Mexican Army, led by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, until falling to the larger army on March 6, 1836. The famous struggle was part of the greater Texas Revolution and is now known a the "Battle of the Alamo." Although the Texans lost the Alamo battle, the battle allowed Sam Houston extra time to gather supplies and men for a later battle in San Jacinto and ultimate victory in the war. The Alamo was home to missionaries and Indian converts for about 70 years. It is now kept and run by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas as a historic landmark.     Lincoln Memorial Washington, D.C. Lincoln Memorial900 Ohio Drive SW Washington, DC 20024 United States of America Tel: [1] (202) 426 6841 Designed by New York architect Henry Bacons, this memorial commemorates the 16th President of America, Abraham Lincoln, who abolished slavery and spearheaded the Union forces against the Confederates (11 Southern states) during the American Civil War (1861-1865). After the assassination of Lincoln in 1865, Congress passed the Lincoln Memorial Bill, and construction began in 1914. The design is based on a Greek temple and includes 36 Doric columns, each column symbolizing one state of the Union at the time. The 30-meter-tall (99 feet) marble temple holds a large seated sculpture of Abraham Lincoln, and the walls are inscribed with Lincoln's famous Gettysburg and Second Inaugural speeches and a mural depicting an angel (representing truth) liberating a slave.   National Mall Washington, D.C. National Mall Washington, DC 20024 United States of America The National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington, D.C., commemorate the presidential legacies, honor the sacrifice and courage of war veterans, and celebrate the country’s commitment to freedom and equality. Icons include the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial (listed above), Thomas Jefferson Memorial, WWII Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.     Mount Rushmore National Memorial Black Hills, South Dakota Mount Rushmore National Memorial Near Keystone Black Hills South Dakota 57751 United States of America This monument, depicting the faces of American presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, was completed in 1941. Sculpted by Gutzon Borglum out of the fine-grained granite outcroppings of Mt. Rushmore, the giant sculpture is spread over 517 hectares (1,278 acres) and stands at a height of 18 meters (60 feet). The monument has been a subject of controversy among Native Americans, who accuse the United States of having seized the mountain from the Lakota tribe. The area around the memorial also supports diverse flora and fauna and two brooks, the Grizzly Bear and Starling Basin.     White House Washington, D.C.   White House1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington District of Columbia 20500 United States of America Tel: [1] (202) 456 1111 Web: www.whitehouse.gov The White House has been an enduring icon of the American Presidency over the last two hundred years and is a metonym for the President’s administration. Designed by Irishman James Hoban, the building was completed in 1800, and its layout was greatly influenced by Georgian Irish country houses. The white-painted, aqua sandstone house was first occupied by President John Adams. Subsequent presidents have made their own alterations and additions. The First Family’s living quarters are on the second floor, while the staterooms are on the first floor. The Committee for the Preservation of the White House is responsible for maintaining the historical integrity of the building.  MUSEUMS   National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Ohio National Museum of the United States Air Force1100 Spaatz Street Wright-Patterson AFB Ohio 45433 Unites States of America Tel: [1] (937) 255 3286 Web: www.nationalmuseum.af.mil This museum traces the history of the United States Air Force from the days of the Wright brothers to the Space Age. Regarded as the largest military aviation museum in the world, the museum’s collection includes over 400 aerospace vehicles and other interesting aeronautical displays, some of which are extremely rare, including bombers like Convair B-36, XB-70 Valkyrie, and B-29 Superfortress, which dropped the second atomic bomb during World War II. Other attractions include various Presidential aircrafts, including those used by Roosevelt, Truman, and Eisenhower. A large section of the museum is dedicated to the aviation pioneers, the Wright Brothers, and to prototypes of their models.     Philadelphia Museum of Art Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia Museum of ArtBenjamin Franklin Parkway at 26th Street Fairmount Park Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19130 United States of America Tel: [1] (215) 763 8100 Web:www.philamuseum.org Established in 1876 to coincide with the great Centennial Exposition of 1876, this museum is currently among the largest and most important art museums in the United States. The collection has expanded far beyond its original limits and presently includes over 225,000 works of art encompassing some of the greatest art achievements of human history. The museum’s design, partly based on Greek Revival architecture, was produced by Horace Trumbauer, and the museum was organized along the lines of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The museum holds from 15 to 20 special exhibitions every year and offers specialized educational programs in art and crafts. The building also provides a backdrop for many concerts and parades.   Metropolitan Museum of Art New York City, New York Metropolitan Museum of Art1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street New York City, New York 10028-0198 United States of America Tel: [1] (212) 535 7710 Web: www.metmuseum.org Opened in 1872, "the Met," as it is popularly known, is a red brick building that reflects a Gothic Revival-style architecture, designed by Calvert Vaux and Jacob Wrey Mould. With a permanent collection of over two million works of art organized into 19 departments, the museum holds an extensive collection from classical antiquity and ancient Egypt, European masters, American and Modern art, as well as representations of African, Asian, Oceanic, Byzantine, and Islamic art. The Met galleries also display themed interiors ranging from 1 st-century Rome to modern American design. The Princeton University Press has documented the massive collection of the Met and, as part of its outreach program, the museum organizes traveling shows throughout the year. Smithsonian Institution - American Art Museum750 Ninth Street NW, Room 3100 Washington, DC 20001-4505 United States of America Tel: [1] (202) 633 1000 Web: www.americanart.si.edu This museum, which began with donations from a private collection and art organizations, presently hosts an extensive collection of American art from all over the United States. Opened to the public in 1968, this federal art collection displays nearly 40,000 artworks spanning more than three centuries of artistic development and representing nearly 7,000 artists. The building’s exceptional architectural features include grand porticos, a curving double staircase, vaulted galleries, colonnades, large windows, and unusually long skylights. The museum has an art conservation facility (five state-of-the-art laboratories and studios), which allow visitors a firsthand-view of the preservation work. The Smithonian Institution also includes the following museums: African Art Museum, Air and Space Museum, American History Museum, American Indian Museum, Arts and Industries Building, National Design Museum, Freer and Sackler Galleries, Harshhorn Museum, National Zoo, Natural History Museum, Portrait Gallery, and Postal Museum. See the Smithsonian website, www.si.edu, for more details.     U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Washington, D.C. U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum100 Raoul Wallenberg Place Washington, DC 20024-2126 United States of America Tel: [1] (202) 488 0400 Web: www.ushmm.org This museum, dedicated to victims of the Nazi holocaust, is the United States' official memorial of the genocide of millions of European Jews and others under orders from Nazi Germany. Through its exhibits, the museum aims to promote freedom, democracy, peace, and human rights. The museum documents, studies, and interprets the history of the holocaust. Many private donors make valuable contributions for the museum’s outreach activities, which include onsite and traveling exhibitions, websites, campus and holocaust commemorations, and the nation’s annual observance in the U.S. Capitol. ARCHITECTURAL/MAN-MADE LANDMARKS     Brooklyn Bridge New York City, New York Brooklyn BridgeNew York City, New York United States of America This suspension bridge over the East River connecting Brooklyn to Manhattan is one of the oldest bridges in the United States and an important feature of the New York skyline. Designed by John Augustus Roebling and opened for use in 1883, the bridge, with its striking pointed arches, incorporates a Gothic design style. It is built from limestone, granite, and cement and extends to a length of 1,825 meters (5,989 feet). There are six lanes for motor vehicles and a separate walkway along the centerline for pedestrians and bicycles. Floodlights at night add a dramatic touch to the bridge and heighten its architectural features.   Eills Island New York, New York Ellis Island National Monument Liberty Island New York, New York 10004 Tel: [1] (212) 363-3200 Web: www.ellisisland.com Web: www.nps.gov/elis Opened on January 1, 1892, Ellis Island became the nation's premier federal immigration station. In operation until 1954, the station processed over 12 million immigrant steamship passengers, including those who have become notable in society such as: Frank Capra, Bela Lugosi, Baron Von Trapp, Irving Berlin, Max Factor, Xavier Cugat, Rudolph Valentino, Igor Sikorsky and Bob Hope. The main building was restored after 30 years of abandonment and opened as a museum on September 10, 1990. Today, over 40 percent of America's population can trace their ancestry through Ellis Island.   Empire State Building New York City, New York  Empire State Building Intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street New York City, New York 10118 United States of America Tel: [1] (212) 736 3100 Web: www.esbnyc.com Built during the Great Depression (1929-1941, a period of devastating economic collapse), this 102-story Art Deco-style skyscraper in New York, completed in 1931, was the world’s tallest building until the World Trade Center’s construction in 1972. Gregory Johnson, the architect, is believed to have based his design of this landmark structure on the clean, simple, and soaring lines of a pencil. President Hoover officially opened the building in a dramatic fashion by turning on the building's lights with the press of a button from Washington, D.C. This 381-meter-tall (1,250 feet) building has 85 stories of commercial space and an observation deck on the 86th floor. The spire uses 16 stories and is capped by an observatory.      Golden Gate Bridge San Francisco, California Golden Gate BridgeSan Francisco, California 94129-0601 United States of America Tel: [1] (415) 921 5858 Web:http://goldengatebridge.org This 2,737-meter-long (8,981 feet) suspension bridge, spanning the opening of the Pacific Ocean into San Francisco Bay, is regarded as one of the world's most beautiful bridges. With a height of 227 meters (746 feet), width of 27 meters (90 feet), colossal towers, sweeping cables, and massive span, the bridge has become one of the most recognizable symbols of San Francisco and the United States. Designed by Joseph Strauss, the bridge was completed in 1937 and has six lanes, including sidewalks for pedestrians and bicyclists.      Independence Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  Independence HallChestnut Street Between the 5th and 6th Streets Philadelphia, Pennsylvania United States of America UNESCO World Heritage Site The Declaration of Independence (1776) and the Constitution of the United States (1787), both of which have had a profound impact on the history of America and the democratic ideals of the world, were signed in this hall. Built in 1753, the building is part of the larger Independence National Historical Park, flanked by the Old City Hall on the east and Congress Hall on the west. The Hall is a red brick building designed in a Georgian architectural style by Edmund Woolley and Andrew Hamilton, and was originally commissioned by the Pennsylvania colonial legislature as their State House. The well-known Liberty Bell, once housed in Independence Hall, now resides in Liberty Bell Center across the street. Jefferson National Expansion Memorial11 North 4th Street St. Louis, Missouri 63102 United States of America Tel: [1] (314) 655 1700 The memorial commemorates the westward movement of American explorers and pioneers, the first civil government west of the Mississippi River, and the debate over slavery triggered by the 1856 Dred Scott case (in which Dred Scott, a slave, sued for freedom but was rejected by courts). Spread over 37 hectares (91 acres), the memorial comprises the Old Courthouse, Museum of Westward Expansion, and Gateway Arch. Designed by Eero Saarinen, the arch stands at a height of 192 meters (630 feet) and has an interior equipped with a transport system that leads to an observation deck at the top. The Museum of Westward Expansion traces the history of the St. Louis riverfront and its extensive transport system.      Space Needle Seattle, Washington   Space Needle 400 Broad Street Seattle, Washington United States of America Tel: [1] (206) 905 2100 Web: www.spaceneedle.com Built in 1962 as a symbol of Seattle’s World Fair held in the same year, the Space Needle is Seattle’s landmark and a major tourist attraction. Inspired by the Stuttgart Tower in Germany, Edward E. Carlson (president of a hotel chain) made a pencil sketch of his vision of a prominent central structure on a placemat in a café. The arduous journey from the placemat to the boardroom and then to construction was completed just in time for the opening of the World Fair. The 184-meter-tall(605 feet) tower can withstand high-velocity winds and quakes registering nine on the Richter scale. The five-level top dome has a revolving restaurant and observation deck.   Statue of Liberty New York City, New York Statue of Liberty Liberty Island New York City, New York 100044 United States of America Tel: [1] (212) 363 3200 UNESCO World Heritage Site Regarded as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy and the most enduring icon of the United States, this colossal statue was a gift of friendship from France in 1886. The 46.5-meter tall (152 feet) copper-clad statue, sculpted by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, depicts a woman dressed in a robe and wearing a crown with seven spikes, symbolic of the seven seas and continents. Her left hand holds a stone tablet with the words "JULY IV MDCCLXXVI" (July 4, 1776, the date of America’s Declaration of Independence) close to her body, while her right hand holds aloft a flaming torch, coated in gold leaf. The broken shackles lying at the statue's feet represent liberty and escape from oppression. United States Capitol Capitol Hill East End of the National Mall Washington, DC United States of America Situated close to the White House, this building serves as the location of the United States Congress, the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government. The building, designed by amateur architect William Thornton, forms the focus by which the quadrants of the District of Columbia are divided. Laid out in a neo-Classical style, the structure has a prominent central dome above a rotunda and two wings. The north wing houses the Senate chamber and the south wing, the House of Representatives chamber. Galleries above these chambers allow people a view of the Senate and House of Representatives. The interiors are richly adorned with murals depicting great men and famous moments in American history. RELIGIOUS SITES Cathedral of St. John the Divine1047 Amsterdam Avenue Between West 110th Street and 113th Street Manhattan New York City, New York 10025 United States of America Tel: [1] (212) 316 7490 Web: www.stjohndivine.org Built in 1909 and designed by George Heins and John LaFarge, this cathedral is the second largest church in Christendom, the first being Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. The nave and the apse are rendered in a Gothic style while the crossing under the dome is Romanesque. With Heins’ untimely death, the renowned Gothic Revival architect Ralph Adams Cram took over the church’s construction, succeeding in retaining its authentic stone-on-stone construction with the use of steel girders. There are seven chapels (known as the "Chapels of the Tongues") radiating from the ambulatory, each in a distinctive nationalistic style, designed to represent the seven prominent ethnic groups of immigrants in New York.   Grace Cathedral San Francisco, California Grace Cathedral1100 California Street Nob Hill San Francisco, California 94108 United States of America Tel: [1] (415) 749 6300 Web: www.gracecathedral.org This is the cathedral church of the Episcopal Diocese of California and was designed in a French Gothic style by Lewis Hobart. The construction began in 1928 and was completed in 1964. The cathedral is famous for its Ghiberti doors, labyrinths, stained glass, a 44-bell carillon, organs, medieval and contemporary furnishings, as well as its choir. The Cathedral includes a boy’s school, one of the most prestigious of the private K-8 (kindergarten) schools in San Francisco, with about 250 students. The Keiskamma altarpiece, a recent addition to the cathedral, is a large work of art created in Hamburg, a fishing town in South Africa, in memory of those who died.   St. Patrick's Cathedral   New York City, New York St. Patrick's Cathedral Fifth Avenue Between 50th and 51st Streets 460 Madison Avenue Manhattan New York City, New York 10022-6863 United States of America Tel: [1] (212) 753 2261 Web:www.saintpatrickscathedral.org This cathedral is an important symbol of Roman Catholicism in the country and the seat of the archbishop of New York. The cornerstone was laid in 1858 and the cathedral, designed by James Renwick Jr. in a Gothic Revival style, is built of white marble. The spires rise to a height of 101 meters (330 feet) and the windows, Connick's great rose window in particular, are magnificent. In addition to the altars of St. Michael, St. Louis, and St. Elizabeth, the cathedral houses a bronze bust of Pope John Paul II, who visited the city in 1979. The cathedral also boasts two superb organs, the 3,920-pipe Chancel Organ and the 5,918-pipe Grand Gallery Organ.   Washington National Cathedral   New York City, New York Washington National Cathedral3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW Washington, DC  20016-5098 United States of America Tel: [1] (202) 537 6200 Web:www.cathedral.org/cathedral This church was a part of President George Washington’s overall plan for the seat of the United States government, and Major Pierre l’Enfant is credited with having included the National Cathedral in the plan. In 1907, the foundation stone, which came from a field near Bethlehem, was laid and construction continued for 83 years, turning the church into a religious structure of immense national importance. The church’s design is a mix of the various Gothic styles of the Middle Ages, as is seen in its identical towers, pointed arches, flying buttresses, stained-glass windows, and stone carvings. Since its consecration, the church has been the focus of special thanksgiving services and funeral orations of national importance. It is operated by the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation. AMUSEMENT PARKS/THEME PARKS      Disneyland Anaheim, California Disneyland 1313 South Harbor Boulevard Anaheim, California 92803-3232 United States of America Tel: [1] (714) 781 4565 Web: http://disneyland.disney.go.com Opened in 1955, the park consists of multiple themes that appeal to young and old alike. Spread over approximately 34 hectares (85 acres), the park is divided into realms, which radiate from the Central Plaza. The themes include a Midwest town (Main Street USA), the western frontier (Frontierland), jungle adventures (Adventureland), fantasy (Fantasyland), and the future (Tomorrowland). Additional themed areas include the New Orleans Square (replicates 19th -century New Orleans), Mickey's Toontown (based on Toontown in the movie "Who Framed Roger Rabbit"), and Critter Country (based on the 19th-century South and Pacific Northwest forests). Transportation modes include a narrow-gauge railroad, monorail, and early 20 th-century vehicles like a double-decker bus, horse-drawn streetcar, and a fire engine.   SeaWorld San Diego, California SeaWorld500 Sea World Dr. San Diego, CA 92109 Tel: (800) 25-SHAMU (1-800-257-4268) International Calls [1] (619) 226-3901 Web: www.seaworld.com United States of America SeaWorld San Diego is one of the world's premier marine adventure parks with 200 acres of world-class shows, rides and animal shows and encounters. More than 80 million visitors have explored the mysteries of the sea here, with up-close animal interactions and exhilarating thrills. Visitors can feed the Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins, sea lions, and sting rays during certain hours of the day or meet and speak with an animal trainer behind the scenes at the killer whale habitat. See the website for reservations and details. Fireworks occur daily from mid-June through August and on weekends during the rest of the year. SeaWorld also has two other parks, one in Orlando, Florida and the other in San Antonio, Texas. Six Flags Magic Mountain 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway Valencia , California 91355 United States of America Tel: [1] (661) 255 4100 Web: www.sixflags.com/magicMountain Opened in 1971, the park is a famous attraction that has featured in many movies like "National Lampoon's Vacation," "True Romance," "Encino Man," and "Rollercoaster," and television productions like "KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park," and "Phantom of the Roller Coaster." The park boasts a good collection of roller coasters, like Goldrusher (a steel "mine train" rollercoaster), Goliath Jr. (small ride specifically for children), Viper (features the world’s second tallest 360-degree loop), the 1,332-meter-long (4,370 feet) Riddler’s Revenge (one of the world’s longest, longest, fastest, and tallest stand-up roller coasters) and X (the world’s first 4D rollercoaster). The park’s eight areas can be toured using the Orient Express or the Metro Monorail.     Universal Studios Los Angeles, California Universal Studios Hollywood 100 Universal City Plaza Drive Universal City Los Angeles, California 91608 United States of America Web:www.universalstudioshollywood.com Opened in 2004, Universal Studios, a combined venture of the National Broadcasting Company and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, is a movie-based theme park based on legendary movies like "Revenge of the Mummy," "Shrek," and "Jurassic Park". The famous studio tour allows guests to uncover the technical brilliance of such landmark movie locations and sets as Steven Spielberg’s "War of the Worlds." The Universal City Walk includes themed restaurants, nightclubs, and shops, while the Universal City Walk Cinemas provide the best movie-going experience in Los Angeles, with stadium-style seating and 19 screens, including one of the largest IMAX screens in southern California. PARKS/GARDENS/ZOOS      Central Park New York City, New York Central Park Manhattan New York City, New York United States of America Web:www.centralparknyc.org Maintained by the Central Park Conservancy under a contract with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, the park features in many movies and television productions and is ranked as one of the most famous parks in the world. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux and spread over an area of 341 hectares (843 acres), the park has been a National Historic Landmark since 1963 and includes landscaped areas, artificial lakes, walking trails, ice-skating rinks, a wildlife sanctuary, grassy areas for pursuing various sports, playgrounds for children, and areas for open-air theater and concerts. The park is also a bird watcher’s delight, as it is a favorite haunt for migrating birds. Grant ParkBetween Michigan Avenue and Lake Michigan Chicago, Illinois United States of America Popularly referred to as the city's front yard, Grant Park is spread over 129 hectares (319 acres) and houses the famous Buckingham Fountain and the Art Institute of Chicago. The park is geometrically designed on the lines of French parks and includes a series of bridges running across the railway tracks within the park. There are sections with lawns, trees, and monuments, including a statue of Abraham Lincoln. The park area adjoining the Michigan Lake offers extensive trails for strollers, joggers, and bikers. The park has been the venue for protests and popular public events, like the visit of Pope John Paul II, as well as some of Chicago's biggest festivals.      San Diego Zoo San Diego, California San Diego Zoo 2920 Zoo Drive Balboa Park San Diego, California 92101 United States of America Tel: [1] (619) 231 1515 Web: www.sandiegozoo.org This 40.5-hectare (100 acres) zoo, established in 1916, is regarded as one of the most progressive zoos in the world with a collection of over 4,000 animals (including gorillas, polar bears, giant pandas, and koalas) representing more than 800 species of birds, reptiles, and mammals. The zoo can be traversed by a tour bus or an overhead gondola lift that offers an aerial view of the area’s inhabitants. The park features diverse habitats ranging from an African rainforest to the Arctic taiga and tundra, free-flight aviaries, an arboretum, a garden to raise rare animal food, and a department for conservation and breeding of endangered species. Smithsonian National Zoological Park/National Zoological Park 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington, DC  20008 United States of America Tel: [1] (202) 633 4800 Web:http://nationalzoo.si.edu Founded in 1889, the National Zoo is housed in two locations. The first location, a 66-hectare (163 acres) section in northwest Washington, D.C., shelters nearly 2,000 wildlife specimens representing 400 different species and offers the perfect setting for family outings and educational programs. The zoo attracts over two million visitors annually, and its star attractions are a giant panda couple and their cub. The second location is a private 1,295-hectare (3,200 acres) rural campus, the Conservation and Research Center, at the edge of Shenandoah National Park in Front Royal, Virginia. The campus is deeply involved in the study of endangered species, training of wildlife professionals in conservation techniques, and rearing of rare species through natural and assisted reproduction. Unites States Botanic Garden 245 First Street SW Washington, DC  20024 United States of America Tel: [1] (202) 225 8333 Web: www.usbg.gov Established in 1842 and operated by the Congress of the United States, this garden’s history can be traced to a small greenhouse that was constructed to house the living specimens of flora brought back from around the world by the Wilkes Expedition. The Garden includes the administration building, the conservatory, the National Garden, and the Bartholdi Park, with its outdoor display gardens and beautiful fountain designed by Frédéric Bartholdi. The extensive Lord & Burnham greenhouse has separate sections, each simulating a different habitat, while the National Garden comprises a regional garden of plants native to the Atlantic coastal plains, a rose garden, a butterfly garden, and the First Ladies’ Water Garden. NATIONAL PARKS      Death Valley National Park California Death Valley National Park East of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range Southern Inyo County and Northern San Bernardino County California United States of America Tel: [1] (760) 786 3200 Web: www.nps.gov/deva Despite being one of the hottest and driest places in North America, the Death Valley National Park also contains beautiful areas that include a valley surrounded by mountains, snow-capped peaks, extensive sand dunes, spectacular wildflower meadows, and abandoned mines. Spread over 13,518 square kilometers (5,219 square miles), the park encompasses three valleys, Saline Valley, Panamint Valley, and Death Valley, and parts of mountain ranges. Despite the hot arid weather, the park shows a remarkable level of endemism and is home to 51 mammal species, 307 bird species, three amphibian species, two fish species, and 1,040 plant species. The wildlife found here includes cougars, coyotes, kit foxes, bobcats, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and Death Valley.   Everglades National Park Florida Everglades National Park Southern tip of the Florida Peninsula Florida United States of America Tel: [1] (305) 242 7700/7740 Web: www.nps.gov/ever UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve This park features the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States and includes a range of habitats that support a wide variety of flora and fauna, including crocodiles, alligators, West Indian manatees, otters, Florida panthers, deer, hawks, kites, pelicans, and other bird species. The park comprises a shallow basin with underlying layers of extensive Pleistocene limestone. The reserve features nearly 200 archaeological sites, some of which trace important Native American settlements and their farming and fishing activities. In addition to the tribal headquarters of the Miccosukee tribe, the park also houses a visitor center, lodge, restaurant, and marina store. Snorkeling, swimming, game fishing, and touring the historic sites are some of the activities in the park.     Grand Canyon National Park Arizona Grand Canyon National Park Grand Canyon Counties of Coconino and Mohave Arizona 86023 United States of America Tel:[1] (928) 638 7888 Web:www.nps.gov/grca UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve Spread over 4,927 square kilometers (1,902 square miles), the park includes one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders, the Grand Canyon. With its extensive system of tributary canyons, the Grand Canyon is a gorge of the Colorado River and uncovers layers of colorful rocks dating back to the early geological history of the North American continent. A major part of the Grand Canyon is extremely rugged and inaccessible, although some places can be reached by pack trails and backcountry roads. The ridges in the canyons have weather-carved lines that look like Chinese temples. The canyon rims have thick forests of blue spruce, firs, oaks, and pines.   Great Smoky Mountains Natl. Park  Great Smoky Mountains National Park North Carolina and Tennessee United States of America Tel: [1] (865) 436 1200 Web: www.nps.gov/grsm UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve Spread over more than 200,000 hectares (494,210 acres), this park is relatively undeveloped and supports more than 3,500 plant species, including almost as many species of trees as are found in all of Europe. The park is also home to a great variety of salamanders and many endangered animal species. The park has a rich cultural history, having been the settling grounds for groups as diverse as the Cherokee Indians and the Scotch-Irish people. The park contains many historic structures that provide proof of these early settlements. A shift from subsistence logging to profit logging has divested the area of timber in some parts, and reforestation efforts are underway. The Appalachian Trail, a 2,175-mile hiking trail from Maine to Georgia, passes through the park.     Olympic National Park Washington Olympic National ParkOlympic Peninsula Washington United States of America Tel: [1] (360) 565 3130 Web: www.nps.gov/olym UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve Established in 1938, the park encloses three distinct ecosystems, namely, glacier-capped mountains, long stretches of wild Pacific coast, and magnificent patches of old, temperate rainforest. A major part (95 percent) of the park is a designated wilderness. The park is drained by eleven major river systems that support several anadramous fish species, which migrate from seawater to freshwater for spawning. The 100-kilometer stretch of wilderness coastline is a rich breeding ground for many species of flora and fauna, including many endangered species like the northern spotted owl, marbled murrelet (a small sea bird), and bull trout.     Yellowstone National Park Wyoming  Yellowstone National Park Wyoming United States of America Tel:[1] (307) 344 7381 Web: www.nps.gov/yell UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve Established in 1872 and covering an expanse of 9,000 square kilometers (3,472 square miles), Yellowstone National Park lies mostly in Wyoming, with a little area spilling over into Montana and Idaho. Featuring nearly half of the world's recognizable geothermal formations, the park boasts the world's largest concentration of geysers (over two-thirds of those found on the planet). The park’s geology includes lakes, canyons, rivers, and mountain ranges, most of which can be attributed to the lava and rock formations of the Yellowstone Caldera, the super volcano that has frequently erupted with tremendous force in the last two million years. The park also shelters many endemic wildlife species like grizzly bears, elks, wolves, bison, and wapitis.     Zion National Park Utah Zion National Park Near Springdale Utah United States of America Tel: [1] (435) 772 3256 Web: www.nps.gov/zion This park lies at the confluence of the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert, and exhibits remarkable geological and biotic diversity. The park’s life zones comprise desert, riparian, woodland, and coniferous forests, which support nearly 289 bird species, 75 mammalian species, 32 reptile species, and a host of plant species. Notable fauna found here include mountain lions, mule deer, bighorn sheep, Californian condors, and golden eagles. The park’s major topographical feature is the 24-kilometer-long (15 miles) and 800-meter-deep (2,625 feet) Zion Canyon The park’s area was once an important place of human habitation but is now major rock climbing site, with the Touchstone, Moonlight Buttress, Space Shot, and Prodigal Son sections becoming popular with climbers. NATURAL SITES     Niagara Falls Canada / USA Niagara Falls Niagara River Border of Ontario / New York, Canada and USA United States of America Web: www.niagarafallsstatepark.com Cascading from a height ranging between 21 and 57 meters (70 to 188 feet), the American side of the Niagara Falls, known as the American Falls, is one of the most spectacular natural formations in the world. Over the last century, erosion has caused constant transformations, as large pieces of the shale and limestone bedrock have fallen to the base of the falls. The Americans Falls disgorge an estimated 283,905 liters (75,000 gallons) of water every second, a mere 10 percent of the Niagara River's total flow. Floodlit with various combinations of colored light, this natural wonder and highly popular tourist attraction appears magnificent in the evenings.       Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park Wyoming Old FaithfulYellowstone National Park Wyoming United States of America Old Faithful is the name of a cone geyser that is famous for its reliability. One of the many geysers in the park, Old Faithful was the first to receive a name. During each eruption, the geyser shoots between 14,000 and 32,000 liters (3,700 and 8,400 gallons) of water and steam to heights ranging from 30 to 55 meters (106 to 184 feet). The intervals between each spurt range from 65 to 92 minutes, although recent earthquakes have resulted in longer intervals than before. Although the Old Faithful is neither the largest nor the grandest of the park’s geysers, it is the most visited and photographed, and it is Yellowstone’s most popular tourist attraction.   Rocky Mountains Western States Rocky MountainsWestern United States United States of America UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Stretching more than 4,800 kilometers (3,000 miles), the Rocky Mountains, commonly known as the Rockies, are a broad mountain range that extend from British Columbia, Canada, to New Mexico, USA. The range’s highest peak, Mount Elbert in Colorado, rises to 4,401 meters (14,440 feet). The mountains were once home to several Native American tribes like the Apache, Arapaho, Bannock, Blackfoot, Cheyenne, Crow, Flathead, Sioux, and Ute. Over 25 river and lake bodies are fed by runoff and snowmelt from the Rockies, and these supply water for nearly a quarter of the United States. Skiing in winter, hiking, camping, and other mountain sports attract hordes of tourists to the Rockies every year.     Miami Beach Miami, Florida South BeachSection of Miami Beach Miami, Florida United States of America South Beach is the part of Miami Beach that was the first to have been developed into a major tourist destination. The area has survived numerous social and natural changes, including a flourishing regional economy, a booming tourism industry, and a devastating hurricane in 1926. Presently, the area, with its numerous nightclubs, restaurants, and oceanfront hotels, is the entertainment hub of Florida. The area is also the world's most sought after location for fashion shoots, and models throng the beach during the peak season. Despite being a public beach, there is a tolerance for topless sunbathing due to the presence of numerous European tourists. The colorful lifeguard stands are a unique feature of South Beach. OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST     Kodak Theater Hollywood, California HollywoodLos Angeles, California United States of America Often used as a metonym for the American film and television industry, Hollywood is a district in Los Angeles that boasts many historic theaters used to premiere major theatrical releases and host the annual Academy Awards. Although a major part of the movie industry has moved out into nearby areas like Burbank and the Westside, many subsidiary industries (editing, props, effects, post-production, and lighting) still remain in Hollywood. Some of the attractions include the Kodak Theater (home of the Oscars), Paramount Studios, Jim Henson Studios, Sunset Gower Studios, and Raleigh Studios. With numerous posh clubs, bars, and businesses, the city is a hotspot for tourism and nightlife, and a place to spot celebrities. A popular tourist attraction is the Hollywood Walk of Fame along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street, a pavement set with more than 2,000 five-pointed stars honoring entertainment industry celebrities whose contributions were deemed valuable by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.