Hello and Welcome to Washington DC, Wikimanias 2012 headquarters!

Wikimania is the annual international conference of the Wikimedia community. Wikimania allows the community and the general public to learn about and share their experiences with free knowledge initiatives all over the world. Below is some basic information on the United States and more specifically Washington DC.

Telecom
Washington DCs mobile phone networks consist of Verizon Wireless (CDMA/1xEVDO/LTE), Cricket (CDMA/1xEV-DO), Sprint (CDNA/iDEN/1xEV-DO), T-Mobile (GSM/EDGE), and AT&T (GSM/EDGE/LTE). TMobile and AT&T sell pre-paid SIM Chips for GSM Mobile Phones. AT&T also provides payas-you-go WCDMA data. WiFi is common in most hotels and coffee shops (sometimes for an additional cost).

Local Basics
Washington DC, known to many as the district or D.C. is the capital of the United States of America (abbreviated US or USA). Most places of business in DC have employees that speak both English and Spanish. Being the capital of the USA, people from all backgrounds reside and work in DC. Summer weather is typically 79F (26C) and mildly humid. Many people of the district bike, walk, or use public transportation to get around. DC has a fair amount of tourist attractions such as the Smithsonain and the National Mall.

Currency & Tipping

The United States Dollar (USD/$) is the currency used in the United States. Current Rates of exchange are around $1.3094/1, $1.5884/1, $0.0123/1. The fractions of currency below the dollar ($1.00) are the Quarter ($0.25), the Dime ($0.10), the Nickel ($0.05), and the Penny ($0.01). Currency exchanges are at most airports and on the Street Level of Union Station on the Metro Red Line (Travelex). It is common courtesy to tip (aka gratuity) at least 15% (less for bad service, up to 20% for very good service) of the bill's subtotal (pre-tax total) at restaurants; tip is sometimes included in the bill as a line item in restaurants if the party meets some minimum number of people. (often ~6-8) Taxi drivers are typically tipped 10-15% of the fare. Do not tip government employees, including Park Service Personnel. DC Tax is 10% of the bill before tip. Additional taxes may occur for products such as parking garages, hotels, alcohol, and tobacco products.

Power
The United States uses a North American standard power plug with 2/3 prongs. This supplies normally 120 volts AC at 20 amperes. Most power converters cost between USD $2 - $10.

Ungrounded 2-Prong (left) and Grounded 3-Prong (right) USA Power Plug

DC Transit
Metro (Subway) The closest stop to the venue is Foggy Bottom which services the Blue and Orange Lines. (Fare: USD ~$2.25) Bus Various busses meet near George Washington University or Foggy Bottom including the DC Circulator (Georgetown/Union Station Line st Closest Pickup: Pennsylvania Ave. & 21 St. - Fare: USD $1.00) and MetroBus (31, 32, 36, 39, H1, L1, N3, X1 Closest Pickup: Foggy Bottom Metro Fare: USD $1.75) th Taxi Taxis operate in most places in DC. (Rate: USD $3.00 for first 1/6 th mile and USD $0.25 for each additional 1/6 mile)
Foggy Bottom Metro

DC Circulator Stop

Marvin Center

Lisner Auditorium

Emergency Call 9-1-1 (On All Phones)

Lisner Auditorium st st 730 21 Street NW (21 & H) Washington, DC 20052

Marvin Center st 800 21 Street NW (21 & I) Washington, DC 20052

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