The World's Most-Visited Tourist Attractions: Recently,Travel + Leisurecompiled a list of the most-visited tourist attractions in the world by gathering data supplied by the attraction sites themselves. The results were surprising. 1. Times Square, New York City Over 39 million visitors a year visit the heart of New York City to shop, see a Broadway show, take in all the sights and sounds or just to people watch. In 2009, pedestrian-only areas with tables were added so tourists could sit while taking in the complete spectacle that is Time Square. 2. Central Park, New York City This nearly 850 acre square park is visited yearly by 38 million people. It's the Big Apple location that is enjoyed more than any other by locals and tourists equally. With a zoo, horse-drawn carriages, a John Lennon memorial, and more, this park has something for everyone. 3. Union Station, Washington, D.C. Along with over 12,000 daily commuters, this station also receives visits from 37 million tourists a year. And it's easy to see why. Opened in 1907, the station has over 70 shops and provides architecture buffs with examples of Baroque, Beaux-Arts and Classical styles. 4. The Las Vegas Strip In 2011, nearly 29.5 million travelers stayed in hotels along the Las Vegas strip, an increase from years past. Part of the reason for the increase could be the huge 2009 hit movie,The Hangover, which features the Las Vegas strip, and Caesar's Palace, in particular. The Vegas strip also continues to attract mega stars like Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and Celine Dion for nightly performances which run for weeks at a time, drawing fans from all over. Las Vegas, the amusement park for adults, shows no sign of slowing down. 5. Niagara Falls, New York and Ontario, Canada Even though there are approximately 500 taller waterfalls in the world, Niagara Falls draws 22.5 million visitors a year who want to see its volume and power. Six million cubic feet of water flows down per minute. And Niagara Falls ranges in height from 70 to 188 feet. It's also an easy location for many tourists in the U.S. and Canada to get to. 6. Grand Central Station, New York City Commuters aside, 21.6 million tourists visit Grand Central's terminal each year. Visitors take in the ceiling which is painted with night sky constellations as well as shops and events. There is also the popular, historic Oyster Bar, featured on an episode ofMad Men. 7. Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston With its history as well as its variety of shops and restaurants, Faneuil Hall attracts 18 million people a year. A downtown marketplace located not too far from Boston's financial district and the harbor, Faneuil Hall is a pedestrian-only area where tourists can get a bite to eat, buy souvenirs and be entertained by street performers. The fact that it's been around since 1742 and was the site of speeches by the likes of George Washington adds to Faneuil Hall's allure. 8. Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Orlando Nearly 17 million people a year visit the world's most-visited and best known amusement park. A must for any family, people still come in droves to take in Cinderella's castle as well as other classic sites and rides. 9. Disneyland Park, Anaheim, CA The second most-visited theme park in the world brings in nearly 16 million people per year. Smaller than the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, this amusement park still has 85 acres of rides and thrills including the popular Indiana Jones Adventure. 10. Grand Bazaar, Istanbul This 15th-century bazaar receives 15 million visitors a year. Both locals and tourists bargain hunt for carpets, jewelry, ceramics and more. There are vendors selling food and Turkish coffee, too, when people need a break from all the shopping. Source:Travel + Leisure Magazine, 2011

Places to See Before They Disappear: Many of the world's most wondrous and beautiful destinations are in danger of being destroyed by a combination of environmental and social factors: a warming climate, pollution, strained resources, bulging populations, and booming tourist traffic. Below are some popular locations worth visiting before they disappear. Glaciers, Glacier National Park United States and Canada Glacier National Park contains some of the most beautiful, primitive wilderness in the Rocky Mountains. There are more than 200 glacier-fed lakes, high peaks, sheer precipices, large forests, waterfalls, much wildlife, and a great variety of wildflowers. However, temperature fluctuations have caused glacier growth and depletion. Ten thousand years ago, the area of Glacier National Park was covered by ice up to one mile below sea level. The latest warm period has caused the number of glaciers to decrease from 150 in 1850 to 26 today. If current global warming trends continue, there will be no glaciers left in Glacier National Park by 2030. Venice, Italy With as many as 40 floods per year between March and September, Venice is slowly sinking at an estimated rate of 2.5 inches every 10 ten years. Venice, a city of beauty and charm, was built as a collection of 118 separate islands, relying entirely on a canal system of about 150 canals, mostly very narrow, crossed by some 400 bridges. A severe flood in December 2008 brought renewed attention to Venice's vulnerable state and imminent fate as an underwater city. The Dead Sea Border between Israel and the West Bank (W) and Jordan (E) Known as one of the saltiest water bodies in the world and the lowest dry point on earth, the Dead Sea is fed by the Jordan River and a number of small streams. Because it is located in a very hot and dry region, the Dead Sea loses much water through evaporation, causing its level to fluctuate during the year. However, inflow to the Dead Sea has been greatly reduced by the increased use of the Jordan River by Israelis, Palestinians, and Jordanians, who have growing populations and increased agricultural needs, resulting in falling water levels. Currently, the Dead Sea recedes about three feet each year. Mexico City, Mexico In the past 100 years, Mexico City has sunk more than 30 feet. The original city was built on the site of a former lake—the Aztecs built the city on a series of aquatic platforms, but when the Spanish conquered the city, they drained the lake, causing it to sink. As the city population ballooned and the demand for water increased in the 20thcentury, the government began pumping much of the city's supply out of the underground aquifer that once fed the lake, causing the city to sink further. No practical plan has been made for the future to provide the 22 million inhabitants of Mexico City with the water they need without destroying the city. Taj Mahal Agra, Uttar Pradesh state, India A mausoleum in northern India on the Yamuna River, the Taj Mahal is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and the finest example of the late style of Indian Islamic architecture. The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan ordered it built after the death of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The building, which was completed between 1632 and 1638, is visited by three to four million tourists each year. The crowds and air pollution, however, have caused irreversible damage to the building's façade, prompting tourism officials to consider closing the historic site to the public. Pyramids of Giza Giza, Egypt One of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Pyramids of Giza, located outside modern Cairo, consist of three magnificent royal tombs guarded by a Sphinx. The Pyramids have been a heavily trafficked sightseeing area for centuries, but the pollution and magnitude of visitors has taken its toll on the ancient structures, which are not protected by Egyptian officials. Although camel and horseback tours are now banned from the site, the structures are still difficult to see through the crowds and vendors. Little Green Street London, United Kingdom Located in the center of London, Little Green Street, is one of only a few surviving streets from Georgian England. Lined with about a dozen 18thcentury homes, Little Green Street only stretches a city block in length, but has survived the Blitz in World War II and three centuries of construction. As a perfect example of Regency London, it has been featured in poetry, photo shoots, and music videos, but today it is threatened by construction. Although an attempt to acquire the property failed in 2008, developers' appeals continue, and the threat of Little Green Street's destruction looms ahead.

Foreign Embassies in the United States (part 2 & last part): Embassy of the Republic of Chad,2002 R St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009. Phone: 202-462-4009. Fax: 202-265-1937. http://www.chademb assy.org/ Embassy of Chile,1732 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036. Phone: 202-785-1746. Fax: 202-887-5579. http://www.chile- usa.org/ Embassy of the People's Republic of China,2300 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-328-2500. Fax: 202-588-0032. http://www.china- embassy.org/ Embassy of Colombia,2118 Leroy Pl., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-387-8338. Fax: 202-232-8643. http://www.colombia emb.org/ Embassy of the Federal and Islamic Republic of Comoros,c/o Permanent Mission of the Federal and Islamic Republic of Comoros to the United Nations, 420 E. 50th St., New York, N.Y. 10022. Phone: 212-972-8010. Fax: 212-983-4712. Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo,1800 New Hampshire Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009. Phone: 202-234-7690. Fax: 202-234-2609. Embassy of the Republic of Congo,4891 Colorado Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20011. Phone: 202-726-5500. Fax: 202-726-1860. Embassy of Costa Rica,2114 S St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-234-2945. Fax: 202-265-4795. http://www.costarica- embassy.org/ Embassy of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire,2424 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007. Phone: 202-797-0300. Embassy of the Republic of Croatia,2343 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008-2853. Phone: 202-588-5899. Fax: 202-588-8936. http://www.croatiaem b.org/ Cuban Interests Section,2630 16th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009. Phone: 202-797-8518. Fax: 202-986-7283. Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus,2211 R St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-462-5772. Fax: 202-483-6710. http://www.cyprusem bassy.net/ Embassy of the Czech Republic,3900 Spring of Freedom St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-274-9100. Fax: 202-966-8540. http://www.mzv.cz /washington/ Royal Danish Embassy,3200 Whitehaven St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-234-4300. Fax: 202-328-1470. http://www.ambwash ington.um.dk/en/ Embassy of the Republic of Djibouti,1156 15th St., N.W., Suite 515, Washington, D.C. 20005. Phone: 202-331-0270. Fax: 202-331-0302. Embassy of the Commonwealth of Dominica,3216 New Mexico Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20016. Phone: 202-364-6781. Fax: 202-364-6791. Embassy of the Dominican Republic,1715 22nd St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-332-6280. Fax: 202-265-8057. http://www.domrep.o rg/ Embassy of Ecuador,2535 15th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009. Phone: 202-234-7200. Fax: 202-667-3482. http://www.ecuador.o rg/ Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt,3521 International Court, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-895-5463. Fax: 202-244-4319. http://www.egyptemb assy.us/ Embassy of El Salvador,2308 California St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-265-9671. Fax: 202-234-3834 www.elsalvador.org/h ome.nsf/home Embassy of Equatorial Guinea,2020 16th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009. Phone: 202-518-5700. Fax: 202-518-5252. Embassy of the State of Eritrea,1708 New Hampshire Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C., 20009. Phone: 202-319-1991. Fax: 202-319-1304. Embassy of Estonia,2131 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-588-0101. Fax: 202-588-0108. http://www.estemb.or g/ Embassy of Ethiopia,3506 International Dr., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-364-1200. Fax: 202-587-0195. http://www.ethiopian embassy.org/ European Union Delegation,2300 M St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037. Phone: 202-862-9500. Fax: 202-429-1766. http://www.eurunion. org Embassy of Fiji,2233 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., Suite 240, Washington, D.C. 20007. Phone: 202-337-8320. Fax: 202-337-1996. http://www.fijiembas sy.org Embassy of Finland,3301 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-298-5800. Fax: 202-298-6030. http://www.finland.or g/ Embassy of France,4101 Reservoir Rd., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007. Phone: 202-944-6000. Fax: 202-944-6166. http://www.ambafran ce-us.org/intheus /embassy.asp Embassy of the Gabonese Republic,2034 20th St., N.W., Suite 200, Washington, D.C. 20009. Phone: 202-797-1000. Fax: 202-332-0668. Embassy of the Republic of the Gambia,1156 15th St., N.W., Suite 905, Washington, D.C. 20005. Phone: 202-785-1399. Fax: 202-785-1430. Embassy of the Republic of Georgia,1101 15th St., N.W., Suite 602, Washington, D.C. 20005. Phone: 202-387-2390. Fax: 202-393-4537. http://www.georgiae mb.org/ Embassy of Germany,4645 Reservoir Rd., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007-1998. Phone: 202-298-4000. Fax: 202-298-4249. http://www.germany- info.org/l Embassy of Ghana,3512 International Dr., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-686-4520. Fax: 202-686-4527. http://www.ghana- embassy.org/ Embassy of Greece,2211 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-939-1306. Fax: 234-2803. http://www.greekemb assy.org/

Foreign Embassies in the United States (part 1): Source:U.S. Department of State. Embassy of Afghanistan,2341 Wyoming Ave., N.W.,Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-483-6410. Fax: 202-483–6488. www.embassyofafgha nistan.org Embassy of the Republic of Albania,2100 S St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-223-4942. Fax: 202-628-7342. Embassy of the Democratic & Popular Republic of Algeria,2118 Kalorama Rd., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-265-2800. Fax: 202-667-2174. http://www.algeria- us.org/ Embassy of Andorra/Permanent Mission to the UN,2 United Nations Plaza, 25th flr., New York, N.Y. 10017. Phone: 212-750-8064. Fax: 212-750-6630. http://www.andorra.a d/ Embassy of the Republic of Angola,2100–2108 16th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009. Phone: 202-785-1156. Fax: 202-785-1258. http://www.angola.or g/ Embassy of Antigua & Barbuda,3216 New Mexico Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20016. Phone: 202-362-5122. Fax: 202-362-5225. http://www.geograph ia.com/antigua- barbuda/ Embassy of the Argentine Republic,1600 New Hampshire Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009. Phone: 202-238-6401. Fax: 202-332-3171. http://www.embassyo fargentina.us/ Embassy of the Republic of Armenia,2225 R Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-319-1976. Fax: 202-319-2982. http://www.armeniae mb.org/ Embassy of Australia,1601 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036. Phone: 202-797-3000. Fax: 202-797-3168. http://www.austemb. org/ Embassy of Austria,3524 International Court, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008-3027. Phone: 202-895-6700. Fax: 202-895-6750. http://www.austria.or g Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan,2741 34th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-337-3500. Fax: 202-337-5911. http://www.azembass y.com/ Embassy of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas,2220 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-319-2660. Fax: 202-319-2668. Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain,3502 International Dr., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-342-1111. Fax: 202-362-2192. http://www.bahraine mbassy.org/ Embassy of the People's Republic of Bangladesh,3510 International Drive, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-244-0183. Fax: (202) 244-7830. http://www.banglado ot.org Embassy of Barbados,2144 Wyoming Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-939-9200. Fax: (202) 332-7467. Embassy of the Republic of Belarus,1619 New Hampshire Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009. Phone: 202-986-1604. Fax: 202-986-1805. http://www.belaruse mbassy.org/ Embassy of Belgium,3330 Garfield St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-333-6900. Fax: 202-338-4960. http://diplobel.us/ Embassy of Belize,2535 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-332-9636. Fax: 202-332-6888. www.embassyofbeliz e.org Embassy of the Republic of Benin,2124 Kalorama Road, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-232-6656. Fax: 202-265-1996. Bhutan Permanent Mission to the UN,2 UN Plaza, 27th Floor, New York NY 10017. Phone: 212-826-1919. Fax: 212-826-2998. Embassy of Bolivia,3014 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-483-4410. Fax: 202-328-3712. www.bolivia-usa.org Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina,2109 E St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037. Phone: 202-337-1500. Fax: 202-337-1502. www.bhembassy.org/ Embassy of Botswana,1531-1533 New Hampshire Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036. Phone: 202-244-4990. Fax: 202-244-4164. http://www.botswana embassy.org/ Brazilian Embassy,3006 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-238-2700. Fax: 202-238-2827. http://www.brasilemb .org/ Embassy of Brunei Darussalam,3520 International Court, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-237-1838. Fax: 202-885-0560. http://www.bruneiem bassy.org Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria,1621 22nd St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-387-0174. Fax: 202-234-7973. http://www.bulgaria- embassy.org/ Embassy of Burkina Faso,2340 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-332-5577. Fax: 202-667-1882. http://burkinaembassy -usa.org/ Embassy of the Republic of Burundi,2233 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., Suite 212, Washington, D.C. 20007. Phone: 202-342-2574. Fax: 202-342-2578. Embassy of the Kingdom of Cambodia,4530 16th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20011. Phone: 202-726-7742. Fax: 202-726-8381. http://www.embassy. org/cambodia/ Embassy of the Republic of Cameroon,2349 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-265-8790. Fax: 202-387-3826. http://www.ambacam -usa.org/ Embassy of Canada,501 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001. Phone: 202-682-1740. Fax: 202-682-7701. http://canadianembas sy.org/ Embassy of the Republic of Cape Verde,3415 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007. Phone: 202-965-6820. Fax: 202-965-1207. Embassy of Central African Republic,1618 22nd St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202-483-7800. Fax: 202-332-9893.

Some Milestones in U.S. Diplomatic History Source:U.S. State Department Benjamin Franklin was the first U.S. diplomat.He was appointed in 1776 to help gain French support for American independence and later became minister to France (1778). With John Jay and John Adams, he negotiated the peace treaty with Great Britain (Treaty of Paris, Sept. 3, 1783). The rank of ambassador was first used by the United States in 1893. Thomas F. Bayardwas appointed ambassador to Great Britain (March 30) and James B. Eustis became ambassador to France (April 18). Prior to this, the highest-ranking U.S. diplomats were ministers. Six U.S. ambassadors have been killed by terrorists:John Gordon Mein, Guatemala (August 28, 1968); Cleo A. Noel, Jr., Sudan (March 1, l973); Rodger P. Davies, Cyprus (Aug. 19, 1974); Francis E. Meloy, Jr., Lebanon (June 16, 1976); Adolph Dubs, Afghanistan (Feb. 14, 1979); Christopher Stevens, Libya (Sep. 11, 2012). A number of distinguished writers have held diplomatic or consular posts: Washington Irving,Minister to Spain, 1842–46. Nathaniel Hawthorne, Consul at Liverpool, 1853–57. Bret Harte, Consul at Crefeld, 1878–1880, and at Glasgow, 1880–1885. James Russell Lowell, Minister to Spain, 1877–80; to Great Britain, 1880–85. James Fenimore Cooper, Consul at Lyon, 1826. William Dean Howells, Consul at Venice, 1861–65. Archibald MacLeish, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, 1944–45.