United States Destination Guide
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, snow-covered mountain ranges, forested rolling hills, deserts, strange rock formations, 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 initiating trade routes to the Americas in 1492, the northern continent was inhabited by peoples thought to have been descended from nomadic Mongolian tribes who had traveled across the Bering Sea, between Russia and Alaska. The first wave of European settlers, mainly English, French and Dutch, crossed the Atlantic in the 17th century. The restrictions on political rights and punitive taxation imposed by the British government on American colonists led to the Boston Tea Party and the ensuing American War of Independence (1775-1783), with the Declaration of Independence being signed in 1776. The American Constitution resulted from the states’ Declaration, a governing format emulated 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 centered on plantation agriculture dependent on slavery. Attempts by liberally-inclined Republicans, led by Abraham Lincoln, to end slavery were opposed. The election of Lincoln to the presidency in 1861 precipitated a political crisis in which 10 Southern states seceded from the Union, leading to the American Civil War - a war that focused primarily on states’ rights. 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 Wild West.
Geography
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 USA 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.
Location
North America.
Area
9,826,630 sq km (3,794,083 sq miles).
Population
301 million (official estimate 2007).
Population Density
32.5 per sq km.
Capital
Washington, DC.
Population: 581,530 (2006). Over 25 other cities have a population larger than that of Washington, DC. New York is the largest city, with a population of 8.3 million (2006). Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Antonio and San Diego had populations ranging from 1.2 - 3.8 million in 2005.
Government
Federal Republic
since 1789. Gained independence from the UK in 1776. The USA has 50 States and the District of Columbia (as in ‘Washington, DC'), which lies between Maryland and Virginia.
Language
English, with significant Spanish-speaking minorties (10.7%).
Religion
Protestant majority (52%) with Roman Catholic, Mormon, 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.
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 Barack Obama since 2009.
Information on the USA is provided in two parts: a general overview and individual State profiles, each of which has its own section.
Recent History
National security in general is a major issue for the USA. President George W Bush secured a second term at the presidential election in November 2004 while the Republicans tightened their grip on the Senate, kept control of the House of Representatives, and also presided over the possibility of further changes in the Supreme Court. Mid-term election results in November 2006 represented a turnaround of public opinion as the Democrats gained the majority in the Senate and House of Representatives.
The election of November 2008 saw a record turnout and victory to Democrat candidate Barack Obama. He took over from George W Bush as president in January 2009.
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
Mobile Telephone
Foreign mobile telephones only work if they are tri-band or quad-band; charges are high. Visitors can also hire a mobile telephone. Pre-pay cell phones can be purchased from a variety of retail outlets, including drug stores.
Internet
There are Internet cafes in most urban areas, and an increasing number of Wi-Fi hotspots. Many coffee shops offer free Wi-Fi. 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. Airmail to Europe takes up to one week.
Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1630 (24 hours at main offices in larger cities).
Press
• High readership papers include the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times.
• The Wall Street Journal, USA Today and the Washington Post are also popular.
• The high degree of self-government of each state means newspapers tend to be region specific.
• The USA publishes more newspapers than any other country.
Radio
National radio networks include:
• ABC Radio Networks.
• National Public Radio
• Fox News Radio.
• CBS operates Westwood One and American Radio Network.
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.
2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
19 Jan Martin Luther King Day.
16 Feb Presidents' Day.
25 May Memorial Day.
4 Jul Independence Day.
7 Sep Labor Day.
12 Oct Columbus Day.
11 Nov Veterans' Day.
26 Nov Thanksgiving Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
18 Jan Martin Luther King Day.
15 Feb Presidents' Day.
31 May Memorial Day.
4 Jul Independence Day.
6 Sep Labor Day.
11 Oct Columbus Day.
11 Nov Veterans' Day.
25 Nov Thanksgiving Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
Contact Information:
International Trade Administration (ITA), Office of Travel & Tourism Industries (OTTI)
US Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230, USA
Tel: (202) 482 2000.
Website: www.tinet.ita.doc.gov
Travel Industry Association of America
1100 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20005, USA
Tel: (202) 408 8422.
Website: www.tia.org
Embassy of the United States of America in the UK
24 Grosvenor Square, London W1A 1AE, UK
Tel: (020) 7499 9000 or 0904 245 0100 (recorded information).
Visa Branch: 55/56 Upper Brook Street, London W1A 2LQ, UK
Website: www.usembassy.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1730 (Only applicants with visa appointments admitted).
Consulates in: Belfast and Edinburgh.
For details on resorts, excursions, places of interest and tourist attractions in the USA, see the individual State sections.
Outdoor pursuits
The vast expanses of wilderness, mountains, forest, canyons and coastlines of the USA lend themselves to a wide range of outdoor pursuits. From trekking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, whitewater rafting through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River, canoeing down the Mississippi River, fishing on the Great Lakes, sailing in Florida, diving in Hawaii to skiing in the Rocky Mountains, every activity can easily be arranged. The USA’s national parks are administered by the National Park Service (NPS; website: www.nps.gov). Hiking trails are generally well kept and
well marked. The National Park system includes National Monuments, which are smaller than parks and focus on maybe just one archaeological site or geological phenomenon (such as Devil’s Tower in Wyoming), National Forests and 170 or so lesser known Parks, which are located away from the cities and highways. State Parks and State Monuments are administered by individual States. Most of the USA’s parks and outdoor recreational areas have visitor centers where advice on trails, activities and other practical information (such as weather reports or fishing regulations) can be obtained. Most parks and monuments charge admission fees ranging from US$4-20. A number of passes are available from the NPS: the National Parks Pass (US$50) gives one driver and all accompanying passengers a year’s unlimited access to nearly all national parks and monuments (users should note that this pass does not reduce fees for facilities such as camping, swimming, parking and boat launching). Only the larger parks have hotel-style accommodation, while almost all parks and monuments have facilities for camping. Fishing permits are compulsory and vary from State to State. Rock climbing and mountaineering are particularly popular in the Sierra Nevada and in the Rocky Mountains. For further information about reservations, permits, regulations and services, visitors should contact the individual parks in advance or the National Park Service, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20240 (tel: (202) 208 6843; website: www.nps.gov).
Spectator sports
Often called ‘the nation’s pastime’, baseball is an important part of the US psyche. The ‘boys of summer’ play Major League Baseball (tel: (212) 931 7800; website: www.mlb.com) from April to September, 162 games in total, culminating in the post-season World Series championships, first contested in 1903. Games are frequent and tickets for regular season games are readily available and can be relatively cheap, starting at around US$9 per seat. American football tickets during the September to January National Football League (NFL; tel: (212) 450 2000; website: www.nfl.com) season are not only very expensive but also extremely hard to come by. Many people opt for the popular college games instead. College basketball is also surprisingly high profile, although not as big a draw as professional games in the National Basketball Association (NBA) (tel: (212) 407 8000; website: www.nba.com), whose season runs from November to April, with the playoffs often extending to June. The popularity of ice hockey has expanded from Canadian and far northern cities to the rest of the USA. Professional teams compete in the National Hockey League (website: www.nhl.com) from October to March, and tickets are sold out quickly. The most popular tennis competition in the USA is the US Open at Flushing Meadows in New York, held from late August to early September. Individual tickets go on sale during June. For ticket information, write to Customer Service, US Open Ticket Office, USTA National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Flushing, NY 11368 (website: www.usopen.org). For general information on tennis, contact the United States Tennis Association (website: www.usta.com). The heart of horse racing in the USA is the ‘bluegrass country’, focused around the State of Kentucky. The most important races of the year, the Bluegrass Stakes and the Kentucky Derby (on the first Saturday in May), are run at the Churchill Downs racecourse in Louisville, Kentucky. There are also major tracks in New England. Rodeos, a legacy of the historical development that resulted from the spread of cattle ranching, are frequently held in Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas and throughout the western States. The USA also hosts the world’s largest motor racing event, the Indianapolis 500, held annually in May.
Wintersports
The USA offers some of the world’s best skiing runs, particularly in the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada. The Rocky Mountain States (and Colorado in particular) are exceptionally good for downhill skiing, the best-known resorts including Aspen, Big Sky, Jackson Hole and Vail. In the Sierra Nevada, Lake Tahoe is the major ski destination. Cross-country skiing is also well catered for, with backcountry ski lodges scattered around mountainous areas along both coasts (New England and California) and in the Rockies. Minnesota, Wisconsin and Wyoming are also good destinations for cross-country skiing. Information on cross-country skiing can be obtained from the Cross Country Ski Areas Association (website: www.xcski.org). In the past few years, snowboarding has become increasingly popular, and plenty of ski resorts now offer half pipes and board rental.
Golf
The American passion for golf is exemplified by the extremely high number of courses found throughout the country, as well as the massive crowds flocking to the United States Golf Association’s national championships games. In 2002, the 102nd US Open was held on a public course for the first time, at Bethage State Park (Black Course) on Long Island. For further details on courses, fees and competitions, contact the United States Golf Association (USGA), PO Box 708, Far Hills, NJ 07931 (tel: (908) 234 2300; fax: (908) 234 9687; website: www.usga.org).
Watersports
One of the activities that epitomizes US sport is surfing and Hawaii, with its legendary winter swells at northern Oahu (surfing’s spiritual home), Sunset Beach, Waimea and the Banzai Pipeline (situated in the Ehukai beach parks), remains one of the USA’s (and the world’s) most famous surfing destinations. California also has some good breaks in Malibu, Rincon and Steamer Lane. During winter, southern California is also superb, with swells at Huntingdon Beach and Santa Cruz. Diving and snorkeling are particularly good in California, Florida, Hawaii and along the East Coast. The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), the world’s largest recreational diving membership organization, has its headquarters in California, at 30151 Tomas Street, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 (tel: (800) 729 7234 or (949) 858 7234; fax: (949) 858 7264; e-mail: webmaster@padi.com; website: www.padi.com). Other popular watersports include sailing, windsurfing, sea kayaking and jetskiing.
See the individual state sections.
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 traveled across the Barents Sea. The first wave of European settlers, mainly English, French and Dutch, crossed the Atlantic in the 17th century and colonized 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. A period of settlement, purchases from the French and Spanish, and annexation of Indian and Mexican lands followed.
By 1853, the boundaries of the United States were, with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii, as they are today. Economic activity in the southern States centered 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. The more powerful and better equipped Union forces prevailed over the rebel Confederacy after 4 years of fighting. After the 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 mid- and late-19th century also saw the development of an American foreign policy: formal diplomatic and trading links were established with the old colonial powers; and the USA sought to assert itself as the dominant power on the American continent– a policy espoused by the Monroe Doctrine (1822) which laid the basis for intervention in support of the USA’s ‘national interest’. The latter has been a constant feature of US policy ever since. Successful diplomatic and commercial overtures were also made to Japan, paving the way for the growth of US power in the Pacific. In Europe, US intervention in 1917 proved decisive for the Allies, and signalled the emergence of the USA as a global power.
Driven by free-market economic policies and innovative developments in technology and production methods – notably the growth of the motor industry – the USA had by this time undeniably become the world’s leading economy. The USA entered World War II following the Japanese attack on the US fleet at Pearl Harbour, although its earlier neutrality had been decidedly favorable to the Allied Powers, especially Britain.
Domestic post-war politics have revolved around the struggle between the Republicans and Democrats, the only two parties of any significance. The Republican Party, often referred to as the GOP or Grand Old Party, picks up most corporate support and substantial backing from wealthy individuals; the Democrats are perceived as the party supported by particular interest groups, thus the ‘labor vote’, ‘black vote’, ‘Jewish vote’ and so on, and as having more liberal views on social and welfare policy.
The Democratic Party is, however, by no means left-wing and equally as keen as its GOP counterpart to attract the votes of ‘middle America’ – the mostly white, middle-income, middle-class folk who form the backbone of the US electorate (ie the quarter of the population who actually vote). Both Republican and Democratic candidates have been elected to the presidency with roughly equal frequency over the history of the nation, but Republicans have been more frequent in the White House since 1945 while the Democrats have dominated Congress.
World War II also saw the birth of nuclear weapons and the superpower conflict that has, until recently, dominated modern international relations. The essence of post-war US foreign policy was the struggle against the spread of communist influence. Despite the dangers of nuclear escalation, the USA has never eschewed military intervention, either directly, or by proxy. The Korean War of the 1950s (under UN auspices), the ill-fated Vietnam war and the Middle East have all seen US troops engaged while many other countries have experienced the effects of military forces financed and supported by discreet US backing.
The Reagan administration, which came to office in 1980, reinvigorated the ideological struggle against communism. However, relations between the USA and the former USSR improved greatly after 1985 owing, almost entirely, to the new Soviet foreign policy adopted by the Gorbachev government. In 1988, Reagan’s Vice-President George Bush (father of the current president) was elected to the White House. Bush presided over the collapse of the Soviet bloc and, to that extent, ‘won’ the Cold War. With its principal enemy vanquished, American foreign policy needed overhauling. Thus we have the ‘New World Order’, a loosely defined notion coined by Bush senior in early 1991. The enemy, so to speak, was best defined prophetically by one American official as a ‘swirling pot of poison made up of zealots, crazies, drug traffickers and terrorists’.
Under the aegis of the New World Order, Bush senior launched two major, largely successful military campaigns against Panama and Iraq. But his neglect of domestic matters, especially the economy, was exploited by his main political opponent. This was Bill Clinton, the relatively unknown Democratic Governor of Arkansas who went on to win the 1992 presidential election by a comfortable majority. After a shaky start, Clinton served two terms. His administrations’ principal legacy was a healthy economy, fuelled by 8 years of steady growth, and two key trade agreements which laid the foundations of what has come to be known as ‘globalization’: the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA); and the Uruguay round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) from which emerged the World Trade Organization.
Clinton’s foreign policy record was mixed. It started badly with the disastrous and humiliating US involvement (through the UN) in Somalia; Haiti almost went the same way although the position was later recovered. Thereafter, the Dayton accord that ended the Bosnian civil war was a success, favorably contrasting decisive US diplomatic and military action with the vacillations of the Europeans. In the Middle East, the 1994 Israeli–Palestinian accord was derailed by mutual suspicions while the ‘dual containment’ strategy designed to keep the twin pariahs, Iran and Iraq, in check had mixed results.
Clinton’s second term was dominated by his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Congress appointed a special prosecutor, Kenneth Starr, to investigate dissembling by Clinton about Lewinsky and other dubious episodes in his business and personal lives. Despite accumulating a mass of evidence, Starr was unable to persuade Congress to impeach Clinton, but the episode seriously tainted his presidency.
The 2000 presidential election pitted Clinton’s Democratic Vice-president, Al Gore, against George W ‘Dubya’ Bush, governor of Texas and son of former President George Bush. The contest was ultimately decided in favor of Bush, in circumstances that are still bitterly disputed, by an extremely narrow margin in the state of Florida.
Bush arrived in Washington as an unknown quantity, but assembled a Cabinet of seasoned Washington hands such as Dick Cheney (Vice-President) and Colin Powell (Secretary of State); a number of others had served under his father. Many had close links with the oil industry so when the new administration, in one of its first major foreign policy decisions, pulled out of the Kyoto agreement on worldwide carbon dioxide emissions, there were strong protests but little surprise. Soon afterwards, the USA announced its intention to abrogate several arms control agreements. It has also embarked on a controversial research program to develop a defensive system against ballistic missile attack (known colloquially as ‘Son of Star Wars’) and a substantial increase in defense spending to fund it. In general, US foreign policy has now taken a more aggressive and nationalistic bent: the main enemy was defined as the ‘axis of evil’, a group of countries including Iran, Iraq, Libya and North Korea who were perceived as implacably opposed to the US and its policies. Then came ‘9-11’.
The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on 11 September 2001, which claimed over 3000 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 Bush immediately dispatched a substantial force to tackle and destroy the perpetrators: the al-Qaeda movement headed by Osama bin laden and its hosts, the Taleban regime in Afghanistan. He also assembled a diplomatic coalition of some 40 countries including the Western allies, Russia and the former Soviet republics of Central Asia, India and Pakistan to wage an International War Against Terrorism.
The Taleban were brought down within weeks (see Afghanistan section). Some senior al-Qaeda personnel were captured, including Kahlid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged organizer of ‘9-11’, but others, including Bin Laden himself, eluded capture. The Bush administration now turned its sights upon the Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein. With support from Britain and others, the Americans sought to use Saddam’s possession of ‘weapons of mass destruction’ – a phrase encompassing nuclear, chemical and biological armaments – to justify an invasion of Iraq. This was completed in March 2003 after three weeks of fighting. However, no ‘weapons of mass destruction’ have been found, a fact which has since caused some political embarrassment for Bush and his allies.
The Iraq campaign was an undoubted military success. Most of the leading figures from Iraq’s brutal Ba’athist regime were captured, including Saddam Hussein himself, or killed. But American and allied forces have since been confronted by a dogged insurgency which, using paramilitary tactics, has claimed hundreds of soldiers’ lives and continues to destabilize efforts to rebuild Iraq according to the American blueprint.
Conditions in Iraq, and national security generally, will be a major issue for Bush junior, who recently secured a second term at the presidential election in November 2004. John Kerry, his democratic challenger, conceded defeat after a fiercely divisive and close presidential battle. However, this election bore none of the claimed controversies of the election in 2000. Indeed, the USA witnessed a record turnout of an estimated 121 million citizens come out to cast their vote. Bush junior was triumphant in seizing the popular vote as well the electoral vote, whilst the Republics tightened their grip on the Senate, kept control of the House of Representatives, and also presided over the possibility of further changes in the Supreme Court. It seems that Americans were keen to preserve stability in the White House whilst their nation remained in the midst of its 'War on Terror'. It remains to be seen how Bush junior will act in such a 'War' while in his final term as President - and, also, how the President will respond to domestic affairs and criticism of his persistent snubbing of environmental concerns, which culminated in him refusing to sign the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse emissions.
Government
The USA is a Federal Republic with 50 States and the District of Columbia (as in ‘Washington, DC’), which lies between Maryland and Virginia. In addition, the USA has close associations with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam and the US Virgin Islands and exercises trusteeship on behalf of the UN over several Pacific Island groups. 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 4 years. No president may be elected to serve more than two full terms of office. The current President is George W Bush, with Dick Cheney as Vice-President. 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.
Economy
The US economy is the world’s largest, most technologically powerful and diverse. Distinct benefits arise from a unique combination of mass immigration, technological and marketing innovations, vast natural resources, expansion of international trade, historical fortune and an economic system designed to reinforce professional and personal enterprise.
The enormous influence of US-based multinational companies within the world economy affords unparalleled global influence and allows its currency unique international status.
Large areas of the USA, particularly in the Midwest, are under cultivation and produce a wide range of commodities: important are cotton, grain and tobacco, all exported on a large scale. Principal mining operations produce oil, gas, coal, copper, iron, uranium and silver. US industry leads in steel production, automotive manufacturing, aerospace technology, telecommunications, chemical engineering, electronics, computer-based commerce and manufactured goods.
The largest employment is in the service sector, finance, leisure and tourism. The unemployment rate in 2006 was 4.8%, with growth at 2.9% and inflation at 3.2%.
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. ‘Diners’, now a fading US institution, consist of simple food served from the counter. These are often located in smaller towns, and although they have been replaced by fast food chains in many areas, can still be found all along the east coast. See Food and Drink in the individual state sections for further details on regional
specialties.
Things to know: There are also many types of bars, cocktail lounges, cafe-style bars and English-style pubs. Generally speaking, waiter/waitress service costs more. Drinking laws are set by the individual states, counties, municipalities and towns; on average, closing time in bars is between midnight and 0300.
National specialties:
As the country has become more culturally diverse, so has the average palate. Today every imaginable dish can be found coast to coast, with an increasing emphasis on fresh and healthy. The following list is simply a sampler of foods that are favorites in most regions.
• Hamburgers.
• Fried chicken.
• Barbecue.
• Cheesecake.
• Key lime pie.
National drinks:
• Coca-Cola.
• Regional wines.
• Microbrewery beer.
• Speciality coffees.
Legal drinking age: The legal age for alcoholic consumption varies from 18 to 21 years 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. Verification of age is frequently required prior to service.
Tipping: Widely practiced, as service charges are not usually included in the bill and waiters depend heavily on tips for their income. Waiters generally expect 10 to 15% gratuity. 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 theater of all descriptions. Theater tickets for Broadway, New York’s equivalent of London’s West End ‘Theaterland’, can be booked through the Group Sales Box Office (tel: (212) 398 8383 or 1 800 223 7565 in the USA and Canada only; website: www.bestofbroadway.com). Gambling is only allowed in licensed casinos and the legal minimum age for gamblers is 21.
Social Conventions
Americans are renowned for their openness and friendliness to visitors. 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. Gifts are appreciated if
one is invited to a private home. As a rule, dress is casual. High-end restaurants, hotels and clubs may require more formal attire. Smoking is increasingly unpopular in the US; it is essential to ask permission before lighting up. Smoking is not allowed on city transport and restricted or forbidden in public buildings in most states. There will be a posted notice where no smoking is requested. An increasing number of states (including California and New York) have banned smoking altogether in bars, restaurants and many public places.
International Travel:
Getting There by Air
The principal US airlines operating international services are: American Airlines (AA) (website: www.aa.com), Continental Airlines (website: www.continental.com), Delta Air (website: www.delta.com), Northwest Airlines (website: www.nwa.com) and United Airlines (website: www.ual.com).
Departure Tax
None.
Main Airports
The busiest airports in the USA include Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) (website: www.atlanta-airport.com), Chicago O’Hare International (ORD) (website: www.ohare.com), Los Angeles International (LAX) (website: www.lawa.org/lax), Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) (website: www.dfwairport.com) and Denver International (website: www.flydenver.com). For further details, consult the individual state sections.
Getting There by Water
Main ports: Port of Anchorage (website: www.muni.org/port), Honolulu (website: www.state.hi.us/dot/harbors), Port of New Orleans (website: www.portno.com), New York (website: www.panynj.gov) and Tampa Port Authority (website: www.tampaport.com).
Numerous cruise lines sail from ports worldwide to both the east and west coasts.
Getting There by Rail
The US and Mexican rail networks connect at Yuma (Arizona), El Paso (Texas) and Del Rio (Texas), with limited scheduled passenger services. There are several connections with the Canadian network, including New York-Montréal, Chicago-Toronto and Seattle-Vancouver services. For further information, contact Amtrak (tel: (212) 582 6875 or 1 800 872 7245 in the USA and Canada only; website: www.amtrak.com).
Getting There by Road
There are many crossing points from Canada to the USA. The major road routes are: New York to Montréal/ Ottawa, Detroit to Toronto/Hamilton, Minneapolis to Winnipeg and Seattle to Vancouver/Edmonton/Calgary. There are road links to Mexican destinations from El Paso (Texas), San Diego (California), Tucson (Arizona) and San Antonio (Texas).
Bus: Greyhound offers services to many destinations in Canada and some destinations in Mexico (tel: 1 800 231 2222 in the USA amd Canada only; website: www.greyhound.com).
Overview
The following goods may be imported by visitors over 21 years of age into the USA without incurring customs duty:
• 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 2kg of smoking tobacco or proportionate amounts of each.
• 1l of alcoholic beverage if 21 or over.
• Gifts or articles up to a value of US$400.
(a) Items should not be gift-wrapped, and should be available for customs inspection. (b) For information about the importation of pets, refer to the brochure Pets, Wildlife - US Customs, available at US Embassies and Consulates. (c) Further information on US customs regulations is available online (website: www.customs.ustreas.gov).
Note: Gold coins, medals and bullion, formerly prohibited, may be brought into the USA, except from embargoed countries (see below).
Prohibited Imports
The following are either banned or may only be imported under license:
(a) Narcotics and dangerous drugs, unless for medical purposes (doctor’s certificate required). (b) Absinthe, biological materials, some seeds, fruits and plants (including endangered species of plants and vegetables and their products). (c) Firearms and ammunition (with some exceptions - consult the Customs website). (d) Hazardous articles (fireworks, toxic materials), including matches and match books (unless packed tightly in a closed container). (e) Meat and poultry products - fresh, dried or canned. (f) Any fish (unless certified as disease free) or their eggs, unless canned, pickled or smoked. (g) Dairy products and eggs. (h) Cuban cigars, brought from any country. (i) Wildlife and endangered species, including crustaceans, molluscs, eggs, game and hunting trophies and crafted articles of any part thereof. (j) Dog and cat fur. (k) Some art and artifacts. (l) Imports from Iran and leather souvenirs from Haiti (eg drums). (m) Some automobiles. (n) More than one article (limited to once every 30 days) displaying a counterfeit or confusingly similar logo to trademarked and copyrighted articles. (o) Merchandise from embargoed countries: Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, and Sudan; information materials (pamphlets, books, tapes, films and recordings) are permitted. Items of archaeological, historical religious or scientific importance that are illegally removed from specific locations in Iraq.
Internal Travel:
Getting Around By Air
The USA can 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 variance in airfares. 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 program branded as Delta Pass.) 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. Restrictions usually apply.
Getting Around by Water
There are extensive water communications along the coastline and along the grand 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. Rail is not considered the best way to travel within the USA, as trains can be slow, infrequent and expensive.
The Acela Express high-speed rail service can travel up to 240kph (150mph), reducing the standard three-hour trip between Washington, DC and New York by 30 minutes and the New York to Boston journey from four hours and 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 centers, 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 travelers 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 in the USA and Canada only; website: www.amtrak.com). International bookings for Amtrak are handled by International Rail (tel: 0870 084 1410; website: www.internationalrail.com).
Rail Passes
USA Rail Pass: specifically designed for international travelers from outside the USA or Canada. Offers 15 or 30 days of unlimited travel either on a national or regional basis.
North America Rail Pass: offers travel on the whole Amtrak network in the USA and Canada (excluding Auto Train, Acela Express and Thruway Motorcoach connections and trains operated jointly by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada) for 30 consecutive travel days. Peak periods are from May to September and December to January. Children under two years of age travel free. Discounts for seniors, students and children aged up to 15.
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.
Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. Driving is a marvelous way to see the USA but distances can be huge (eg 4,716km (2,930 miles) between San Francisco and New York City).
Coach: Greyhound (tel: (214) 849 8100 or 1 800 231 2222 in the USA and Canada only; 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.
Greyhound offers a range of Discovery Pass discount programs, which can be purchased by US, Canadian and overseas travelers. Discounted fares are also available for children aged two to 12 years, passengers over 62 years old and students.
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 age for hirers is 25, but some companies allow younger drivers for an additional fee. Those looking to hire a car in the USA can save money through fly-drive deals and by advance booking.
Auto Driveaway (tel: (312) 341 1900; website: www.autodriveaway.com) 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.
The hire of self-drive campers or motorhomes, which are called ‘recreational vehicles’ or RVs in the USA, is easy. For more information contact The Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (tel: (480) 464 7300; website: www.cruiseamerica.com).
Regulations: The speed limit is usually 105-112kph (65-70mph) on interstate highways (motorways), but varies from state to state. Speed limits are clearly indicated and 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 licenses 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. Seatbelts must legally be worn in most states.
Emergency breakdown service: AAA (American Automobile Association) (tel: 1 800 222 4357 in the USA and Canada only; website: www.aaa.com).
Documentation: An International Driving Permit is recommended, although it is not legally required. A full national driving license is accepted for up to one year. All travelers 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, although in many cities a car will be needed to get around.
Variety, late-closing hours, competitive prices and an abundance of retail goods typify US shopping. Many small stores, specialty food shops and hypermarkets are open 24 hours a day. Clothes and electronic goods can often be bought direct from factory outlet stores. 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 shops in one building, often multi-level, connected by indoor plazas and eateries.
Note that a sales
tax is levied on most items in most states, and the addition is not included on the price label; sales tax can be anywhere from 3 to 15%, variable by state.
Shopping hours
Mon-Sat 0900/0930-1730/2100. There may be late-night shopping one or two evenings a week. Some states permit Sunday trading; hours vary.
Currency Information:
Currency
US Dollar (USD; symbol $) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of $100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of $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, or exchange foreign currency at the airport upon arrival.
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 US Dollar cheques; Pound Sterling traveller's cheques are rarely accepted and few banks will honor them. Change is issued in US Dollars. One or two items of identification (passport, credit card, driving license) will be required.
Banking Hours
Variable, but generally Mon-Fri 0830-1700.
Exchange Rate Indicators
| Date | Jan 09 | | £1.00= | US$1.45 | | €1.00= | US$1.37 |
Passport/Visa
| Passport Required? | Visa Required? | Return Ticket Required? | | British | Yes | No/2 | Yes | | Australian | Yes | No | Yes | | Canadian | Yes | No | No | | USA | N/A | N/A | N/A | | Other EU | Yes | 1 | Yes |
Passport Note
(a) For nationals
included in the Visa Waiver Program (see Visas), passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry.
(b) All travelers 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. Travelers not in possession of machine-readable passports will require a valid USA entry visa.
(c) As of 12 January 2009, all travelers visiting the US under the Visa Waiver Program are to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel. For more information, please see below.
(d) 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).
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI): All persons, including US citizens, traveling 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 traveling by land or sea will be introduced on 1 June 2009.
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 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 General Info).
Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except:
1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Malta, Poland and Romania, who do require a visa as they are not included in the Visa Waiver Program.
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 travelers traveling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.
(c) 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. They must also obtain approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). See below for more information.
(d) 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.
(e) 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. A passport which states holder has right of abode or indefinite leave to remain in the UK does not qualify for visa free travel.
(f) 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.
(g) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see General Info).
ESTA: The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) came into force on 12 January 2009. It is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications must be submitted at least 72 hours before travel to the USA. Some websites may charge you for the service but you can apply online for free at www.dhs.gov. The granting of an ESTA does not guarantee entry to the USA.
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist, Business, Transit and Student: US$131.
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 General Info).
Working Days Required
Usually five after interview. Some cases may take up to 12 weeks – check with embassy/consulate (see General Info).
Warning
Most visits to the USA are trouble-free but visitors should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
The hurricane season normally runs from June to November, and can affect the whole of the southern USA.
Forest and brush fires are a danger in many dry areas in the US, particularly on the West Coast from March to November. The greatest fire risk is during a period of dry weather and high winds, which can cause brush fires to spread very rapidly. Travelers should monitor local media reports about such fires and follow the advice of local law enforcement officials.
The US Department of Homeland Security has lowered its terror alert status to ’orange’, or high, for all flights into the US that have originated from the UK. The terror alert level also remains at ’orange’ for all other international and domestic flights in the US.
Visitors should expect stringent security checks at airports and public buildings.
Visitors should be alert to the dangers of car and street crime in cities.
This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:
British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk
US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel
Health
| Special Precautions | Certificate Required? | | Diphtheria | No | | | Hepatitis A | No | | | Malaria | No | | | Rabies | No | | | Tetanus | Yes | | | Typhoid | No | | | Yellow Fever | No | |
Health Care
Medical insurance is strongly advised. Only emergency cases are treated without prior payment and treatment may be refused without evidence of insurance or a deposit. All receipts must be kept in order to make a claim. Medical facilities are generally of a high standard. Many medications available over the counter in other countries require a prescription in the US. Those visiting the USA for long periods with school-age children should be aware that school entry requirements include proof of immunization against diphtheria, measles, poliomyelitis and rubella throughout the USA; schools in many states also require immunization against tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and mumps. HIV-positive visitors must apply at the US Embassy for a Waiver of Inadmissibility before entry.
Call 1-800-iExplore 1-800-439-7567 to inquire about
trips to United States.
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