Washington, D.C. The United States is a federal union, which is made up of 50 states and one independent district – the District of Columbia. The District of Columbia is the territory of the national capital of the USA, Washington, with its own laws and regulations. Washington, D.C. is situated on both banks of the Potomac river, between the two states, Maryland and Virginia.

This place was chosen by the first American President George Washington. In 1790 George Washington laid the corner-stone of the Capitol where the Congress sits. The place was called the District of Columbia in honour of Columbus, the discoverer of America. The capital got the name of Washington after the name of its founder. Washington has been the federal capital since 1800.

Washington is called the heart of America. It is the capital where the federal government works and where each President of the United States lives. Washington is smaller in size than the largest cities of the USA. The population of Washington is about 11 million people. The buildings in Washington are not very tall because no building must be taller than the Capitol. But in political sense Washington is the centre of the country and the most important city in the United States.

The Potomac River Washington stands on the Potomac River, which flows into the Atlantic ocean.

Congress The Federal government works from Washington, this is where the Congress is based. The Capitol is the seat of the US Congress. Congress is the American parliament which consists of 2 chambers: The Senate and the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives has 435 members. Elections to the house take place every 2 years. There are 100 senators (2 from each state), they are elected for a period of six years. Election day is always in November, on the first Tuesday, after the first Monday.

The White House The White House stands at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. It has been the home of every president with the exception of George Washington. The White House has been the official residence of the US President since 1800.

For more than 200 years, the White House has been more than just the home of the Presidents and their families. Throughout the world, it is recognized as the symbol of the President, of the President's administration, and of the United States.

Its interesting to know… There are 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 6 levels in the Residence. There are also 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases, and 3 elevators. At various times in history, the White House has been known as the "President's Palace," the "President's House," and the "Executive Mansion." President Theodore Roosevelt officially gave the White House its current name in With five full-time chefs, the White House kitchen is able to serve dinner to as many as 140 guests and hors d'oeuvres (закуска) to more than 1,000.

The White House requires 570 gallons of paint to cover its outside surface. For recreation, the White House has a variety of facilities available to its residents, including a tennis court, jogging track, swimming pool, movie theater, and bowling lane.

Presidential Firsts while in office... President James Polk ( ) was the first President to have his photograph taken... President Theodore Roosevelt ( ) was not only the first President to ride in an automobile, but also the first President to travel outside the country when he visited Panama... President Franklin Roosevelt ( ) was the first President to ride in an airplane.

The Potomac Park The Potomac Park is a U.S. national park in Washington, D.C..U.S. national parkWashington, D.C. The park is the site of many national landmarks, including the Korean War Veterans Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.Korean War Veterans MemorialJefferson Memorial Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

The Capitol The Capitol is one of Washington's most magnificent buildings. It is constructed of white stone and marble and crowned by an impressive dome. On the top of the dome stands a bronze Statue of Freedom. The Capitol is set in a small park around which are a number of impressive government buildings, among which is the Library of Congress, one of the largest libraries in the world.

US President Barack Obama Barack H. Obama is the 44th President of the United States. He was born in Hawaii on August 4, His father is from Kenya and his mother is from Kansas. Barack was raised with help from his grandfather. After graduating the college Obama moved to Chicago.

Then Barack Obama went on to attend law school, where he became the first African American president of the Harvard Law Review. Then he returned to Chicago and began teaching constitutional law at the University of Chicago. Later Obama began his political carreer. He served three terms in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to served three termsIllinois Senate

His presidential campaign began in February In the 2008 general election, he defeated Republican nominee John McCain and was inaugurated as president on January 20, 2009.the 2008 general election RepublicanJohn McCain inaugurated as president The inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President, and Joe Biden as Vice President, took place on January 20, 2009.inauguration of Barack Obama

The inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President, and Joe Biden as Vice President, took place on January 20, 2009.inauguration of Barack Obama

Фото из жизни Президента… Президент с женой и дочерьми вместе с Бо - любимцем семьи породы Португальская водяная собака на прогулке во время уикэнда. Горожане встречают Барака Обаму в Международном аэропорту Канзас-Сити. В Восточной комнате Белого дома Барак Обама шагает через зеленое ограждение на сцену, к трибуне, чтобы приветствовать членов Конгресса после подписания закона о санкциях против Ирана.

Барак Обама встречает гостей - служащих администрации президента, членов их семей и семей военных, приглашенных на барбекю на Южной лужайке Белого дома - праздник проводится в честь Дня независимости.

Барак Обама и Дмитрий Медведев собираются поесть гамбургеров. Ускользнув от формальностей американо-российского саммита в Белом доме, президенты США и России отправились перекусить в любимое заведение лидеров США Ray's Hell Burger в Арлингтоне, штат Верджиния. Барак Обама фотографируется с персоналом O and H Danish Bakery перед тем, как отправиться в городскую мэрию на собрание, посвященное экономике США.

Премьер-министр Канады Стивен Харпер с женой Лорен вместе с Бараком Обамой и Мишель позирует перед фотографами на открытии саммита G20 в Торонто, где собрались лидеры 20 стран с развивающейся экономикой. Одна из присутствующих на собрании в мэрии Рейсина, посвященном экономике, держит шутливый постер в виде банкноты в 44 доллара с изображением Барака Обамы.

Барак Обама вместе с другими родителями одноклассников своей старшей дочери Малии стоит возле школьного футбольного поля - он пришел поболеть за дочь, которая играет в школьной футбольной команде. Барак Обама возлагает венок на Национальном кладбище Авраама Линкольна в Элвуде. Президент принял участие в церемонии в честь Дня памяти. Это государственный праздник США, отмечающийся ежегодно в последний понедельник мая и посвященный памяти американских военнослужащих, погибших во всех войнах и вооруженных конфликтах.

Барак Обама поздравляет выпускницу Вест-Пойнта, Военной академиии США, с окончанием этого высшего федерального военного учебного заведения армии США. Барак Обама приветствует полицейских управления экстренных служб и пожимает руку сержанту полиции форта Худ Кимберли Манли. В Саду роз Белого дома проходит церемония чествования лучших полицейских США Top Cops award.

Президенты США, России и Чехии - Барак Обама, Дмитрий Медведев и Вацлав Клаус поднимают тост после подписания Договора о сокращении наступательных вооружений в замке Пражский град. Барак Обама слушает национальный гимн перед выступлением на церемонии присвоения учёных степеней и вручения дипломов в университете Мичигана в городе Энн- Арбор.

Барак Обама на гольф- поле вместе со своим другом Марти Несбиттом в Grove Park Inn Resort в Эшвиле во время викенда. Мишель и Барак Обама стоят в очереди в ресторанчике "Коптильня 12 костей" в Эшвиле. По пути в отель Grove Park Inn в Эшвиле - в этом городе они проведут викенд с друзьями - президентская чета сделала незапланированную остановку. Этот ресторан Обама сделал знаменитым, когда побывал здесь в октябре 2008 года.