WHITE HOUSE OF USA

The White House is the official residence of the President of the United States and his family. It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., a site chosen by the first US president, George Washington, along with the city planner of Washington, Pierre L'Enfant. The building was designed by Irish-born architect James Hoban. President Washington never actually lived in the White House although he did oversee its construction. The first president to reside in the White House was John Adams, who moved into the residence in 1800, along with his wife, Abigail.

The White House has survived two fires — one at the hands of the British in 1814, during the War of 1812, and the second in the West Wing in 1929.

Thomas Jefferson held the first Inaugural open house in 1805. He also opened the house for public tours, and it has remained open, except during wartime, ever since. In addition, he welcomed visitors to annual receptions on New Year's Day and on the Fourth of July, a tradition that lasted until the 1930's.

The White House has 132 rooms and 35 bathrooms on six floors. There are also 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases and 3 elevators. Originally known as the "President's Palace," the "President's House," or the "Executive Mansion," President Theodore Roosevelt officially gave the White House its current name in 1901.

The administration of the government is housed in the West Wing. Built by Theodore Roosevelt as a temporary office building in 1902, it is where the president and his staff conduct their daily business. In 1909, President William Taft reconstructed the president's office and changed its shape to oval. The Oval Office was established in the center of the West Wing. President Franklin Roosevelt expanded the West Wing and relocated the Oval Office to the southeast corner in 1934.