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Location
District of Columbia midway along the Atlantic seaboard, 145km (90 miles) from the Atlantic Ocean, USA.

Dialling code
1.

Population
553,500 (city); 5.8 million (metropolitan area).

Time zone
GMT - 5 (GMT - 4 from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November).

Electricity
110/120 volts AC, 60Hz; American-style flat two-pin plugs are standard.

Average January temperatures
2°C (37°F).

Average July temperatures
25°C (78°F).

Annual rainfall
884mm (34.8 inches).

Cost of Living:

1 American Dollar (US$1) = £0.68; C$1.19; A$1.41; €0.75
Currency conversion rates as of January 2009

Special Events:

Restaurant week
January (and then again in July/August)
Reduced fixed-priced menus in many restaurants.
Throughout the city
Website: www.washington.org/restaurantwk

Black History Month
February
Celebrates diversity, and is dedicated to black leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr
Throughout the city

St Patrick’s Day Parade
March
Impressive parades down Constitution Avenue, NW.
Website: www.dcstpatsparade.com

National Cherry Blossom Parade and Festival
March-April
Parade with carnival floats and marching bands.
Website: www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org

White House Easter Egg Roll
April
Egg rolling.
White House lawn
Website: www.whitehouse.gov/easter

Filmfest DC - Washington International Film Festival
April-May
Various theaters throughout the city
Website: www.filmfestdc.org

Memorial Day Ceremonies
Late May
Wreath-laying at the Kennedy gravesite and Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial

National Barbecue Battle
June
Free food samples, cooking demonstrations and competition between local and national BBQ restaurants,
Pennsylvania Avenue
Website: www.barbequebattle.com

Smithsonian Folklife Festival
June-July
A music, song and dance celebration to contemporary traditions.
National Mall
Website: www.folklife.si.edu

Independence Day
4 July
Day-long concerts and activities including parade and fireworks over the Washington Monument.
National Mall
Website: www.july4thparade.com

The Kennedy Center Prelude Festival
September
Celebration of the performing arts.
Kennedy Center
Website: www.kennedy-center.org

Adams Morgan Day
September
Live music, international food, cultural demonstrations and dances.
18th Street NW between Florida Avenue and Columbia Road and at Marie Reed Elementary
Website: www.adamsmorgandayfestival.com

Marine Corps Marathon
October
Starts and ends at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, VA
Website: www.marinemarathon.com

Veterans’ Day Ceremonies
11 November
Presidential wreath-laying and memorial service honoring the nation’s war dead.
Arlington National Cemetery

National Christmas Tree Lighting Pageant of Peace
Early December
The president lights the giant National Christmas Tree.
The Ellipse, President’s Park South

Pearl Harbor Day Ceremony
7 December
Wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate the attack on Pearl Harbor.
US Navy Memorial

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