Location: North America
Local Time: Eastern:
From 06 Nov 11 to 11 Mar 12 GMT -5
From 11 Mar 12 to 04 Nov 12 GMT -4
From 05 Nov 12 to 09 Mar 13 GMT -5
From 10 Mar 13 to 03 Nov 13 GMT -4
Central:
From 06 Nov 11 to 11 Mar 12 GMT -6
From 11 Mar 12 to 04 Nov 12 GMT -5
From 05 Nov 12 to 09 Mar 13 GMT -6
From 10 Mar 13 to 03 Nov 13 GMT -5
Mountain (except Arizona):
From 06 Nov 11 to 11 Mar 12 GMT -7
From 11 Mar 12 to 04 Nov 12 GMT -6
From 05 Nov 12 to 09 Mar 13 GMT -7
From 10 Mar 13 to 03 Nov 13 GMT -6
Arizona: GMT -7
Pacific:
From 06 Nov 11 to 11 Mar 12 GMT -8
From 11 Mar 12 to 04 Nov 12 GMT -7
From 05 Nov 12 to 09 Mar 13 GMT -8
From 10 Mar 13 to 03 Nov 13 GMT -7
Alaska:
From 06 Nov 11 to 11 Mar 12 GMT -9
From 11 Mar 12 to 04 Nov 12 GMT -8
From 05 Nov 12 to 09 Mar 13 GMT -9
From 10 Mar 13 to 03 Nov 13 GMT -8
Aleutian:
From 06 Nov 11 to 11 Mar 12 GMT -10
From 11 Mar 12 to 04 Nov 12 GMT -9
From 05 Nov 12 to 09 Mar 13 GMT -10
From 10 Mar 13 to 03 Nov 13 GMT -9
Hawaii: GMT -10
Capital City: Washington, D.C.
Population: 311.47 million
Area: 9,629,100357,021 square km, 3,717,800 square miles.
Language(s): English
Dialling Code: 1
Emergency: Police, Fire & Ambulance: 911
TV Standard: NTSC
Driving: Driving is on the right. National licence required. International Driving Permit required if licence is not issued in Roman alphabet (valid for 1 year only)
Electricity: 110/120V AC 60Hz
Currency: US Dollar (USD 1 = 100 Cents)
Notes: USD: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100
Coins: Cents: 1, 5, 10, 25, 50
Credit Cards/Travellers Cheques: Credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted. Travellers cheques should preferably be in US Dollar denominations and are frequently accepted as cash
Opening Hours
Bank:
Office: 0900-1730 Mon-Fri
Shops: 0930-1800 Mon-Sat, 1200-1800 Sun, 0930-2100 (shopping centres)
Public Holidays
2012
25 Dec : Christmas Day
Business/Social Hints: Business is conducted in English, not many executives speak a second language.
Smoking generally accepted but restricted in most public buildings and on public transport. Many restaurants have smoking and no smoking areas.
Drinking laws in the different states and towns often vary. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants, punctuality is appreciated. Dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. The minimum drinking age is 21 years in most US states
Tipping: Around 15% is customary, unless a service charge is included
