Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Video Systems
»
NTSC standard (incompatible with PAL or SECAM)
»
DVDs coded for Region 1 (US and Canada only)
Weights & Measures
»
Weight: ounces (oz), pounds (lb), tons
»
Liquid: oz, pints, quarts, gallons (gal)
»
Distance: feet (ft), yards (yd), miles (mi)
Smoking
As of 2013, about half the eastern states, the District of Columbia and many muni-
cipalities across the region were entirely smoke-free in restaurants, bars and work-
places.
Post
»
The
US Postal Service
(USPS; 800-275-8777;
www.usps.com
)
is reliable and inex-
pensive. The postal rates for 1st-class mail within the USA are 46¢ for letters weighing up
to 1oz (20¢ for each additional ounce) and 33¢ for postcards.
»
International airmail rates are $1.10 for a 1oz letter or postcard.
Public Holidays
On the following national public holidays, banks, schools and government offices (includ-
ing post offices) are closed, and transportation, museums and other services operate on a
Sunday schedule. Holidays falling on a weekend are usually observed the following
Monday.
New Year's Day
January 1
Martin Luther King Jr Day
Third Monday in January
Presidents' Day
Third Monday in February
Memorial Day
Last Monday in May
Independence Day
July 4
Labor Day
First Monday in September
