The White House is the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States, in usa-state/washington/" data-it-autolink="1">Washington, D.C., a 132-room mansion built between 1792 and 1800 in neoclassical style.
Setting & geography
White House stands in Washington, D.C., United States, at coordinates 38.9°, -77.04°. The surrounding landscape — urban, coastal, mountainous or rural — frames how the site is approached, photographed and understood. It is a touchstone of architectural history, reproduced in textbooks and emulated in cities far from its original setting.
Architecture & form
As a architectural landmark, White House combines function and symbolism in proportions that still hold up against the eye. Its principal measurements are 5,100 m² area, dimensions that govern not only the experience of standing in front of the site but the way it appears in maps, photographs and the city skyline beyond. Materials, ornament and structural strategy all reflect what was available, fashionable and politically possible at the moment of building. Conservation work since has aimed to preserve the original intent while adapting to modern visitor numbers and safety standards.
Construction & history
Construction of White House took place in 1792 – 1800. The work is credited to James Hoban. White House has weathered war, weather, neglect and revival across its life. Each generation has read the site differently — sometimes as a sacred place, sometimes as a political monument, sometimes as a tourist attraction — and each reading has left its trace on what the visitor sees today.
Cultural significance
White House appears on stamps, coins, school textbooks and a thousand photographs taken every day. It functions as a piece of national identity for United States and as a piece of shared global heritage. UNESCO, national heritage agencies and local custodians typically have overlapping interests in the site’s protection — a useful tension that keeps the place both authentic and accessible.
Plan your visit
Most visitors reach White House from Washington, D.C. by public transport, organised tour or private taxi; check official sources for current opening hours, ticket prices and seasonal closures before you travel. Best light for photography typically falls in the early morning or the hour before sunset, when crowds also tend to thin. Modest dress and respectful behaviour are expected at religious or memorial sites; many landmarks restrict tripods, drones or large bags. Allow at least two hours on site and longer if you intend to visit any associated museums or grounds.
Specifications
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| Field | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | — |
| Location | Washington, D.C. | city / region |
| Type | Architectural | landmark category |
| Built | 1792 – 1800 | period of construction |
| Architect | James Hoban | — |
| Size | 5,100 m² area | principal dimensions |
| Latitude | 38.8977 | degrees |
| Longitude | -77.0365 | degrees |
Did you know?
The White House has been the residence of every US president since John Adams in 1800 — except for a period after the British burned it in the War of 1812.
