The Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC

The Smithsonian Institution is the largest museum complex and research center in the world. It is composed from 19 museums and art galleries, 9 research centers and the National Zoological Park. The museum complex also includes outdoor museums.

The Smithsonian Institution is the keeper of a collection composed by over 142 billion objects representing the most important historical heritage of the United States of America. The tourists who want to visit the whole collection of this great museum complex would need to be prepared for a day of walking through all its galleries. Of course, it is practically impossible to see everything in a single visit. The best plan would be to choose one topic and to research only that in one visit. Depending on your area of interest, you can choose among the many existing museums, such as The Air and Space Museum, The African Art Museum, The American Art Museum, The Natural History Museum, The American History Museum, The American Indian Museum, the IMAX movie theaters and many many others. Most of the museums are open every day of the year, except December 25. Most of them can be visited for free.

Interesting to notice, you can find here the postal stamps collection of John Lennon, exposed in the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. The custodians of the collection insist that the former member of the Beatles music band was a fanatic collector of postal stamps. The story goes that the cousin of John Lennon bought the stamp collection and offered it as a present to John Lennon when he was 9 years old. The John Lennon's collection consists of 565 postal stamps.

Accessorised Jewelleries, Real Flowers

If you are into accessory business, majority of your target clients are females. This is viable because they have more need on accessories than males. Earrings, necklace, bracelets, rings, toe rings are surely sellable. Women look for new designs and would buy in a heartbeat.

In order to survive this thriving industry, one cannot rely on just producing conventional products. Setting your own brand and design can keep you out of the usual league of Kendra Scott jewelry here. Incorporating bright and one-of-a-kind idea to your jewelleries will make these lasses want more.

The use of real colourful flowers into jewellery is undoubtedly attention-grabbing. Enjoy a beautiful collection of jewellery with different flowers such as rose buds, forget me not, pansy, daisies and alfombrilla to name a few. These flowers are expertly cultivated and set in resin and sterling silver. Because of its uniqueness, it is perfect not only for personal collection and use but also can be given as a token or gift. There are some companies that donate a portion of each sale to charities in order to help and share their blessing. Buying from few purpose-driven jewellers does not only make you and the seller happy but the hopeful receivers too.

America's Culture and People

The American culture is part of the Western culture but it was greatly influenced by Native American, African, Asian and Latin American cultures.The culture of the United States has been a melting pot of various influences from the great diversity of immigrants coming from all over the world. However, starting in the late 1990s and early 2000s the American culture become more of a salad bowl instead, the new trend is for a greater cultural diversity and pluralism.

The first influences in the culture of the United States came from the English-speaking colonists of English, Irish, Welsh and Scottish origins. Other major influences were given by the settlers from Western Europe, such as Germans, Dutch, French and Italians. Later on were added influences from other groups, such as Afro Americans, Latin Americans and Asians.

American culture has developed original traditions, such as celebrating Santa Claus, Valentine's Day, Thanksgivings and Halloween. Such customs have spread world around. The many particularities of the American culture are specific only for Americans and may amaze the foreigners or even create a culture shock. For example, in many other countries it is customary to present yourself by giving both your first name and your family name.

But for Americans it is different. They use to give only their first name or even the nickname. Another characteristic of the American people is their great pride, in themselves, in their flag, country and culture. They are very proud of their independence and individuality. To express their individuality they use all kinds of ways, including the way they dress and decorating styles. From early age all the American students learn how to live as independent adults, they are free to make decisions about their classes and personal life.