Introduction

Washington, DC attracts people to come and visit from around the nation and from around the world. Whatever the reason for the visit, to spend a vacation, or to conduct a business, there are many things to be done and numerous sights to be seen. Visitors to Washington could combine conducting business and seeing the sights and the memorials at the same trip to the nation’s capital.
The international presence in Washington, DC is very clear. Many of the memorials, monuments and int’l organizations show that influence, either in the architectural style or the physical existence of international people.
The tourism is the second industry in Washington, DC area after the government. Many people here benefit from tourism industry directly or indirectly. For examples: hotels, gift shops, tour companies, taxi cabs and restaurants are businesses that depend on the visitors to Washington, DC area, and most of the employees who work in such businesses are locals.
 Average of twenty millions people come to Washington, DC every year. Nineteen millions of them come from around the nation, and just one million from around the world. Why all these people target Washington, DC every year to come and visit? What is it in Washington to attract such number of people to visit? What are the reasons behind the concentration of many of the ethnic groups such as Chinese, Spanish, Oriental, Africans, Middle Eastern and others, almost from around the world in the nation’s capital.

 The researcher is investigating the reasons for such millions of people to visit Washington, DC. His research is highlighting the monuments, memorials, national and international organizations that Washington, DC is famous for. Also, special attention will be paid to the international presence in Washington, DC represented in the ideas of some monuments and memorials were taken out from ancient civilizations architectural styles. Some other memorials in Washington were gifts from other countries. The research will include description of famous buildings, memorials, and monuments, national and international organizations. Washington, DC is like an open museum. The following landmarks are described in the research: White House, US Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Franklin Roosevelt memorial, Vietnam and Korean War memorials, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, Smithsonian museums and other famous buildings and memorials

International presence and influence in Washington D.C.

The original plans for the nation’s capital were drafted by a Frenchman, Pierre L’Enfant in 1792.  Since then and Washington D.C. is a melting pot of humanity and heritage.  Chinatown and Adams Morgan’s restaurants serve International cuisine.  Around these restaurants, you could meet people from China, Latin America, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Jamaica.  It’s Embassy Row where there are over 150 embassies are located with over 54 thousands diplomats are working there to improve the International Communications, Corporations, trade and Goodwill around the Globe.  Also, there are international landmarks such as Japanese cherry trees, the Netherlands carillon.  Even Washington’s most famous landmark has a global influence.  The 555 foot obelisk—the world’ s largest masonry structure—contains nearly 200 memorial stones from around the world in its interior walls, and its idea came from the ancient Egyptian Obelisk.
  Visitors come to Washington D.C. for various reasons.  To conduct business with the government officials in the headquarters of the departments of Justice, Labor, Health and Human services, Education, Transportation, Energy, Agriculture, Interior, Defensive, Navy and Military.  In addition, the U.S. Capitol’s senators and representatives receive visitors from around the country almost all year long except during their month off in August.
During the tourism season in the spring, summer and fall, families from around the country bring their children for educational tours about the nation’s Capital. How the government is functioning here in Washington. Visiting the memorials and the Smithsonian, museums are free of charge.  They are federally funded.  The admission fees are prepaid by the taxpayers.  There are much savings in the admission fees during the visit to Washington DC.
The International visitors are fascinated Not only with such free admissions but also with visiting accessibility to places like the white house and Pentagon which is the headquarter of the military facilities. Not in any country, such places are available for public to visit.
Opening new memorials in Washington D.C. area often attract thousands of visitors during the opening ceremonies.  Also conducting meetings, conferences and workshops draw interested groups to the nation’s capital.

Washington D.C. is one of the most powerful cities in the World.  Decisions are taken in buildings such as the White House, U.S. Capitol, state Department, Pentagon or the World Bank, not only effecting the Americans but also effecting people in other parts of the World.
The twenty millions visitors to Washington D.C. every year keep the tourism the second industry after the government.  These visitors spend average of eight billion dollars in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area.
The purpose of coming to the nation’s capital could be either for vacation or for business.  Even if the visitors are here for business, they still could find time in the afternoon, in the evening or they stay longer after their business to see the sites and memorials.
The International presence in the nations Capital is very significant.  There are over fifty-four thousands diplomats are working in about one hundred and fifty embassies.  Thousands of more people from around the World are working for the World Bank, international monetary funds, World Health Organization and other international organizations.
Washington is a seat of Culture.  Eight major universities are located within the District of Columbia itself, with many more in the metropolitan area, along with the top research institutes of the nation.  The library of Congress is considered the World most complete library.  The Smithsonian many sections include the Air and space museum and the National gallery of arts which houses many famous collections.  Fine arts performances range from the casualness of the lawn of the Capitol Building to the elegance of the Kennedy Center.

The White House is one of the major sites to be visited.  George Washington laid the corner stone for the White House in 1792. The White House is the home and the office for every president except George Washington.  There are one hundred thirty two rooms, twenty bathrooms and five elevators.  The office of the president is located at the West wing; the office of the first lady is located at the East Wing.  The White House has its own zip code.  It is built on eighteen acres, and it is the executive branch of the U.S. government.
At the West Front of the White House, the old executive office building is located.  The offices of the vice president and the presidential staff are within this Greek style building.  The Treasury Department is located at the East Front of the White House.  In the North Front, there is Lafayette Square, where General Lafayette, the French General who participated with George Washington during the revolutionary war is honored.

The U.S. Capitol is the Legislative branch of the U.S. government.  One hundred Senators, two senators from each state, regardless the populations, they are elected every six years.  They assemble at the Senate office building, at the North Front of the dome of the Capitol.
 Four hundred Forty five representatives assemble at the House of Representatives at the South Front of the dome.  The representatives are elected every two years upon the population.  States like California or New York have more representatives than Rhode Island for instance. The Capitol is known as the spirit of the United States in stones.

The Smithsonian institution is the largest and most growing museum Institute in the World.  There are fifteen museums in Washington D.C. and three are in New York.  James Smithian was a British scientist, a chemist who donated half a million of dollars, for the purpose of diffusion of knowledge in this new country then.  In 1846, the congress approved establishing institute for knowledge. They called it Smithsonian to honor James Smithian.  The most visited Smithsonian museums here in Washington are: air and space, American history and natural history museums.

The Washington Monument is one of the most famous landmarks here in Washington.  It was built to honor the first president George Washington.  The shape is similar to the ancient Egyptian obelisk.  The ancient Egyptian obelisk use to be cut from just one piece of rock.  However, the Washington Monument was built from pieces of marble from around the nation and the World.
A hundred and ninety nine tributes came from different historical sites from around the World, to honor George Washington. The construction of the memorial started in 1836. They stopped during the civil war. They finished in 1878.  It was opened for public in 1885. The monument is 555 feet and 5 inches high; the elevator goes up to the top within 70 seconds.  The view of the District of Columbia and the vicinities from the top is panoramic.  Surrounding the base of the memorial, there are fifty flags representing the fifty states.

Jefferson memorial was dedicated for Thomas Jefferson in 1945 by Franklin Roosevelt.  Thomas Jefferson was the third president, first secretary of the state, ambassador to France, architect, farmer, lawyer, artist, musician, inventor, excellent writer, eloquent speaker, and the father of University of Virginia.  There is a statue for Thomas Jefferson under the dome. It is looking towards the White House.  Franklin Roosevelt removed the trees between the White House and the memorial, for him to watch them constructing the memorial for the man that he admired.

Franklin Roosevelt Memorial was opened in May 2, 1997.  This is a unique memorial.  It talks about the president and the Country at that time.  The memorial has four sections.  Each section represents a term that the president served at the office.  He was elected to the office for four terms.  Sections one to three represent the efforts the president made to get the country out of the depression time.  The water falls at the memorial represent building dams and generating electricity for factories to create jobs.  There is a replica for the FDR’s wheel chair at the gift shop of the memorial.  There is a seated statute for Franklin Roosevelt.  The controversy about the statue ended with a compromise, no wheel chair and no desk, but a beautiful statue for FDR and his favor dog seated in front of him.  Also there is a statute for Eleanor Roosevelt who was the first delegate to the United Nations.

Lincoln memorial was built in 1922 to honor the 16th president Abraham Lincoln, who saved the union during the civil war 1860s. The memorial was built in a Greek style Temple surrounded by 36 columns representing the 36 states when Lincoln was assassinated in April 14, 1865.  The rest of the states names and symbols are inscribed on the upper sides of the memorial.  The last two states joined the union,  Hawaii and Alaska,  their dedication inscribed on the ground in front of the 58 steps leading to the memorial.  The 58 steps are representing the 58 years of age when Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. There is a seated statue for Abraham Lincoln in the middle of the memorial looking towards the Washington monument.  On the walls inside the memorial, there are inscriptions of Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address and his Gaithersburg address.  In the basement of the memorial, there is a display of the famous events that occurred around the memorial, such as Martin Luther King famous speech “I have a dream”.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial was Designed by a Chinese Engineer Student her name was Maya Lynn.  She was twenty-one years old, when her design was selected. When the committee learned that the designer is a woman and Chinese, they rejected the design.  Maya took the committee to the court. .  In 1982, The court enforced the design to be considered.  The memorial designed in a V shape.  The names of over 58 thousands of U.S. soldiers are inscribed there in imaginary circles starting from the top in 1958 to the bottom in 1975.  In the middle of that imaginary circle, there is a memorial for the nurses.  That represents the role of the women in Vietnam War.

Korean War Memorial was opened in July 27, 1995.  Korean War used to be known as the forgotten war.  After opening this memorial, they call it “forgotten no more”.  In 1950 to 1954 the United States lost over 54 thousands of soldiers and the United Nations including South Korea lost over 600 thousands of soldiers during the war to defend South Korea against the communism.  Faces of U.S. soldiers are itched on a black granite wall. There are 19 statues; seven foot each for U.S. soldiers, they are represented there while they are marching South Korea.  Their reflections on the wall show like thousands of them on the march.  The names of the countries that participated during the war are inscribed in a panel leading to the memorial.

Arlington Cemetery probably the most famous burial sites in the world.  John Kennedy gravesite and his eternal flame are located at Arlington Cemetery.  Jackie Kennedy grave site also there. Robert Kennedy and William Howard Taft grave sites there.  The tomb of the unknown is located at Arlington Cemetery.  It is guarded 24 hours.  They change the guards in ceremonial way every half an hour during the spring and summer time and every hour during the fall and winter.
 Custis Lee mention where Robert E. Lee and his wife Mary Custis who was the great Grand daughter of Martha Washington used to live there before the civil war.  The government confiscated the mansion and the land surrounded it, 612 acres and made it a national cemetery.  Not any one could be buried there.  Only the people who served in the military for at least twenty years or who ever could be approved by the congress.  The Arlington Cemetery receives average of 18 to 30 funerals every day.  They expect the cemetery will be filled in year 2020.  Unless they add land to the cemetery, they will have to look for another location for the National Cemetery.

Iwo Jima memorial, officially known as the marine corpse memorial.  Originally, it was a photograph was taken by Rosenthal, during World War II. It represents six of U.S. marines. They were raising the U.S. flag on top of Iwo Jima Surbatchi Island in Japan.  The memorial is the largest bronze statue in the World.  In Gold writing, surrounding the base of the memorial, there are names of the battles that the marine participated in since November 10, 1775 until now. Recently, they just added Panama, Somalia and the Persian Golf.  The marine conducts free parades every Tuesday sunset, from the last Tuesday of May, until the last Tuesday of August. That attracts hundreds of people to go to the memorial and enjoy these free parades.

Georgetown  It was established in 1751, and was part of Maryland. It used to be a tobacco port. In 1792 when Washington D.C. was first chartered, Georgetown was part of it.  Chesapeake and Ohio Canal facilitated the transportation for the merchants who used to come from Cumberland, MD and other nearby cities to Potomac River. Barges and boats were pulled by mules or horses back and forth in the Canal.  Because of the historical Value of Georgetown, some houses are very expensive. The price of  one such  houses is Four million dollars, and even there is no swimming pool in it. International cuisine could be found in Georgetown.  It is the nightlife of Washington DC. Georgetown is the second most visited place in the area  after the memorials.

Recommendations

Washington D.C. is the city of many monuments, memorial and museums.  It is like an open museum.  For the visitor of Washington to get the most out of the visit, the researcher would recommend the following:
Visitors are encouraged to plan for their trip to Washington DC.  If they are coming from around the country, they may contact their senators or representatives to get free passes to the major sites and memorial.  These passes, not only will save hours every day, especially during the season of tourism in the nation’s capital, spring, Summer and fall but also will allow access to areas in the sites not accessible during the public tour.  For examples with your congressional passes to the white house you can visit over 32 rooms, but during the public tour, only about six rooms are available to see in a rush.  With your congressional passes to mount Vernon and old town Alexandria you will have a completely different tour around the home of George Washington than the normal tour of the site. For the International visitors, they may check with the visitors information offices in the area about special passes might be available for them.
In addition, It is better to take an orientation tour about the city and its vicinities.  For the visitor to be familiarized with what is available to see and visit.  Getting an overview of the sites and memorials, and then concentrate on spending time into the places of interests.  With an orientation tour, the visitor may discover something related to his/her interests.

Personalized and customized tours in Washington, DC

While you visiting Washington, DC let Zohery Tours shows you the side of Washington you want to see.   Daytime and evening sightseeing charters escorted by licensed tour guides to historic sites in Washington, DC, Baltimore, Annapolis and the vicinities.
 You can reach Zohery tours by calling 1—800—240—5521 or 202—554—4200, fax number 202—554—4207.  Also, you can visit and communicate with  ZT web site on the Internet at http://zohery.com  and  in Email: zohery@zohery.com 

GRAND TOUR OF WASHINGTON

Adult Fare $25.00, Child Fare $12.50 Approx. 3 Hours, Departure 9:00 AM or 1 PM

View 
Union station * U.S. Capitol U.S. * Supreme Court * Library of Congress * Senate office building  * Smithsonian Museums (15 Museums) Holocaust museum * Washington Monument * Tidal Basin * Water Gate Arlington National Cemetery * Georgetown * Old Executive Office Building Blair House * White House * Treasury Building Ellipse * National Christmas Tree * Zero Mile Stone * Freedom Plaza * Federal Triangle * F.B.I. * Ford Theatre * National Archive Trade Commission * U. S. Federal Court * Department Of Labor * Robert Taft Memorial

Step off and visit
U.S. Capitol (West Side) * Jefferson * Lincoln * Nurses Memorials * Vietnam * Korean War Memorials * John F. Kennedy Center * Iwo Jima Memorial * White House (Outside North Front for Picture)
 

Alexandria & Mount Vernon

Adult Fare $ 19.00, Child Fare $ 9.50 Approx. 2 1/2 Hours, Departure: 1:00 PM
(Entrance fee to George Washington Home not included)

View 

The Pentagon * Crystal City * Old Town Alexandria * Christ Church * The Confederate Memorial * George Washington Masonic Temple and view the many other attractions in old town Alexandria.

Step off and visit

Mount Vernon George Washington’s home Adjacent Buildings * Museum * Gardens Farm * George & Martha Washington’s tombs

All Day Tour

This Tour Includes:

Grand Tour of Washington
Alexandria and Mount Vernon

Adult Fare $42.00, Child Fare $21.00
Approx. 7 hours, Departure 9:00 a.m.
(Entrance fee to George Washington Home & Lunch not included)

Enjoy this discounted rate, full day tour combining viewing over a hundred of the
sites of grand tour of Washington and Alexandria and Mount Vernon.

Step off and visit:

* U.S. Capitol (West side) * Memorials (including: * Jefferson * Lincoln *Franklin
Roosevelt * Nurses * Vietnam * Korean War * Iwo Jima) * WhiteHouse (outside
South Front for pictures) * Mount Vernon-George Washington's home * Outer
Buildings * Museum * Gardens * George and Martha Washington's Plantation on
the Potomac River.

Washington After Dark

Adult Fare $25.00, Child Fare $12.50 Approx. 3 Hours, Departure: 8:00 PM

View the Nation’s Capital Memorials, Monuments, Museums & Federal Buildings Illuminated as in the Grand Tour of Washington. (Pictures Stops for some Memorials)

Step off and visit:

U.S. Capitol (West Side) * Jefferson * Lincoln * Nurses Memorials * Vietnam * Korean War Memorials * John F. Kennedy Center * Iwo Jima Memorial