Airport
Philadelphia International Airport , airport code:PHL, International Airport is located seven miles from downtown Philadelphia and provides both international and domestic services for one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States.
Philadelphia International Airport currently has five terminals (A-E). Each is served by several airlines which fly to a wide range of domestic and international destinations. Each terminal has a good selection of shops, banks, restaurants, bars and ATM machines. Specific airlines also have club lounges in the appropriate terminal.

Visas
Passports and visas are needed by all travelers to the United States except those from Canada, Mexico, and the 22 nations that participate in the Visa Waiver Pilot Program (VWPP).
Tourist and business visas are available at U.S. embassies and consulates. Business visitors should also have a letter stating intent and length of stay from the U.S. company they are visiting. Citizens from countries in the VWPP need only a passport, a return ticket, and proof of solvency for a 90-day stay.
Canadian and Mexican visitors do not need return tickets. A valid 10-year passport is necessary to enter the U.S. Visitors cannot bring in meat or meat products, seeds, plants, or fruits. Being caught with illegal drugs carries strict fines.

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Currency
US Dollar (US$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of US$100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of US$1, and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents.

Credit Cards
Most major credit cards are accepted throughout the USA, including Diners Club, American Express, MasterCard and Visa. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Visitors are advised to carry at least one major credit card, as it is common to request prepayment for hotel rooms and car hire when payment is not by credit card.

Tipping
Restaurants in Philadelphia are not in the habit of adding gratuities to the bill, so tipping is recommended: 15 percent where customers deem the service to be good and 20 percent if the meal and service have been excellent. Tips in taxis should be paid along similar lines. The recommended rate for doormen, parking attendants and valets is one USD.

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Useful Numbers
International country code: 1
Telephone area code: 215, 267 & 445
Police, Fire, Ambulance 911

Electricity
110 volts AC, 50Hz; standard two-pin plugs are used.

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Health Risks
Public drinking water in the U.S. is safe, and food is generally prepared under safe conditions. Pharmacies and grocery stores are everywhere and can be trusted; however, pharmacies cannot prescribe or sell prescription drugs without a doctor's prescription.

Time Zone
GMT - 5 hours (GMT - 4 hours from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

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Business Hours
Offices: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., although these are only general times and businesses can vary widely the hours worked.
Banks: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Government: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Retail: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended hours on the weekends

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 Labor 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 Labor Day.
12 Oct Columbus Day.
11 Nov Veterans' Day.
26 Nov Thanksgiving Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

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Climate
In an average year temperatures can vary between 60 degrees Fahrenheit (17 degrees Celsius) and 100 degrees Fahrenheit (31 degrees Celsius). In other words Philadelphia experiences the full range of North American weather, from blistering hot summer days to, snow-bound, freezing periods in deep winter.

Clothing
Casual dress is acceptable in most venues, but some of the better restaurants may require a jacket and tie. During summer months the temperature and humidity can be high and natural fabrics are ideal, but excessive air-conditioning in most offices and public places may require a thin sweater or jacket. For winter, a sweater and light overcoat should be enough; and for autumn and spring, a combination of summer and winter clothing

GDP Growth Rate
Real growth rate: 4.4%

Inflation
3.2%

Imports
crude oil and refined petroleum products, machinery, automobiles, consumer goods, industrial raw materials, food and beverages

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Exports
capital goods, automobiles, industrial supplies and raw materials, consumer goods, agricultural products

Trading Partners
Canada, Japan, Mexico, the EU

Industries
Oil, electronics, computers, automobile manufacturing, aerospace industries, agriculture, telecommunications, chemicals, mining, processing and packaging

Teledensity
66.45 Main telephone lines per 100 inhabitants

Government
federal republic; strong democratic tradition

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Geography
Philadelphia sits on the west bank of the Delaware River in southeastern Pennsylvania near New Jersey's western border. New York City is a 2 to 3 hour bus ride north. Most of the central Philadelphia area lies between the Delaware River, which runs north and south through town, and the Schuylkill River, a tributary, in the west.
The United States of America's land mass touches the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and lies between Canada and Mexico.

Population
USA: 301 million
Pennsylvania : 12,281,054
Philadelphia: 5,398,000

Ethnic Groups
Caucasian (71%), African American (12%), Latino (12%), Asian (4%), Native American (0.9%)

Languages
English, plus many secondary languages, chiefly Spanish

Literacy
97%

Religion
Protestant (56%), Roman Catholic (28%), Jewish (2%), Muslim (1%)