Capital: Washington D.C.
Time zone: USA has 6 time zones ranging from GMT – 5 on the East coast to – 10 in Hawaii
Telephone services: Country Code: 1
Outgoing Code: 001
Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 911
Tourist information: United States Travel and Tourism Administration, Room 1860, 14th Constitutional Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 Tel: (202) 482 3811 or 482 2000 Fax (202) 482 2887
Passport information: Valid passport required by all except nationals of Canada arriving from anywhere in the Western hemisphere with at least 1 proof of identity and residents of Canada or Bermuda who have a common nationality with the nationals of Canada or with British subjects in Bermuda who are arriving from North, Central or South America. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.
Visa information: Visa required by all except nationals of: EU countries (except nationals of Greece and Portugal who do require visas) if not exceeding 90 days and with a valid passport, British subjects resident of the Cayman Islands or Turks and Caicos Islands who arrive directly from those islands. Japan, Andorra, Brunei, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, and Switzerland who have a valid passport and are not staying for more than 90 days. NOTE: It may be worthwhile to check with the relevant consular authority before finalising travel arrangements as visa/passport regulations my be subject to change at short notice.
Health information: Health Risks: Rabies
Food & drink: Water is considered drinkable, normal precautions should be observed with food.
Currency: US Dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange: Most hotels do not exchange foreign currency and only a few major banks are willing to do so. It is advisable to take US$ Credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted, preferably in US dollars
ATM availability: Over 135000 locations
Cost of living: Food and accommodation and petrol are cheaper than Western Europe allowing budget travel to be a possibility.
Languages: English. Many other languages are also spoken.
Weather: Varies considerably with region.
Electricity: 110/220 Volts 60 HZ. Plugs are of the flat 2-pin type.
Post: Up to 1 week
Transport: A variety of convenient modes of transport exist. When driving IDP is recommended.
Special information: Since the tragic events of Sept 11, 2001, higher than normal vigilance is required when travelling particularly by air. As airport procedures are now much tighter travellers should allow an hour or two longer for check in formalities. Do not carry sharp objects in hand luggage (including manicure scissors and little nail clippers). Inappropriate jokes about these or otherrestrictions could result in a traveler being unpleasantly detained. Within the USA a wide variety of cultures and customs are prevalent which co-exist within a diverse topography. Crime rates vary from state to state.