United States of America Helpful Information

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES:
Imperial standards (old UK system) are used, with the following differences: US Short Ton = 2,000 lbs. (2,240 lbs. = Long Ton). US Cwt. = 100 lbs. (112 lbs = Long Cwt.). US Gallon = 0.83267 Imperial Gallon. US Bushel = 0.9687 Imperial Bushel.

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY:
Domestic — 120V. 60 cycles AC. Industrial — 460v 3 phase 60 cycles. UK appliances will not work unless operated through a transformer. You will need to check with the manufacturer of the appliance. Television operating system in the USA is NTSC M and not PAL I as operated in the UK.

CURRENCY(-IES): 1 US dollar (USD) = 100 cents.

INTERNATIONAL DIRECT DIALLING CODE(S): 00 1 + city / area code

TIME:
Eastern Standard Time; 5 hours behind GMT (5 hours behind BST),

Central Standard Time: 6 hours behind GMT (6 hours behind BST),

Mountain Standard Time: 7 hours behind GMT (7 hours behind BST),

Pacific Standard Time: 8 hours behind GMT (8 hours behind BST).

(Daylight saving time operates from third Sunday in April to fourth Sunday in October.)

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:
2008
1 Jan New Year's Day. 21 Jan Martin Luther King Day. 18 Feb Presidents' Day.
26 May Memorial Day. 4 Jul Independence Day. 1 Sep Labour Day.
13 Oct Columbus Day. 11 Nov Veterans' Day. 27 Nov Thanksgiving Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day. 19 Jan Martin Luther King Day. 16 Feb Presidents' Day.
25 May Memorial Day. 4 Jul Independence Day. 7 Sep Labour Day.
12 Oct Columbus Day. 11 Nov Veterans' Day. 26 Nov Thanksgiving Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

EMBASSY:
24 Grosvenor Square, London W1A 1AE. Tel: 020 7499 9000, fax: 020 7408 8020, e-mail: london.office.box@mail.doc.gov — website: www.usembassy.org.uk. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0830–1730.