White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. – America's most famous home.
Since 1791, when the first president of the United States, George Washington, established the location of the White House, successive U.S. presidents since him have used the White House as their official office and residence, and every U.S. president since John Adams has regarded it as his home.
The sprawling building consists of three distinct sections – the west wing, the east wing and the administrative residence in the middle. It has six floors, 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 412 doors and 28 fireplaces.
Aerial view of the north side of the White House.
Top-down view
White House layout details
The entrance to the West Wing has a portico as a sign.
The West Wing contains some of the most famous rooms in the White House.
These include the Oval Office, the president's main office, where he meets or answers calls from heads of state, diplomats and his staff.
The Oval Office houses the famous Resolute desk, which dates back to the 19th century. In addition, there are several paintings, busts and other ornaments. Presidents decorate their offices according to their personal tastes.
Outside the Oval Office is the White House Rose Garden, which is used for special ceremonies and greeting vips, and is also a place where the king often speaks.
The West Colonnade walkway, also known to industry insiders as the "45-second commute," leads from the Oval Office to the Rose Garden and Mansion.
The Cabinet Room is where the President meets with the Minister. It is customary for the president to sit in the middle of the table.
On the first floor there is the White House Situation Research Room.
A complex of nearly 500 square meters, where the president receives intelligence and crisis support. The Situation Study Unit is managed by staff of the National Security Council.
The White House Situation Office has witnessed many major events in the recent history of the United States. Johnson is here to start the Vietnam War. Oba President Ma watched from the TV screen as the SEALs killed bin Laden.
Another famous West Wing room is Roosevelt Hall.
It is often used to announce the appointment and nomination of new staff. It features paintings by Theodore and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The Vice President's Office is also located in the West Wing.
The James Brady Press Room and the adjacent White House Press Corps Office.
The U.S. Navy is in charge of a restaurant on the first floor of the West Wing of the White House, known as the Navy Canteen.
The Executive Residence is the central building of the White House.
The Executive Residence and the East Wing of the White House.
On the first floor of the mansion there is the Blue Hall. This oval room, where the president used to receive guests formally, features blue ornaments, blue curtains, and blue carpets. It has maintained the same color since 1837.
The Red Room, which serves as a reception room or living room for presidents and VIPs
The East Hall is the largest room in the executive residence and is used for lectures, ceremonies, concerts, receptions and balls.
The Truman balcony on the second floor overlooks the lawn on the south side.
The East Wing of the White House houses home theaters where the president and his family can watch the movies they want at any time of the day, even before it's released.
There is also the First Lady's Office in the East Wing
The White House Bunker, the Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC), is located beneath the East Wing of the White House.
The PEOC was built during World War II, and the plan before 9/11 had been to lead the president out of the White House in the face of sudden danger, rather than letting him retreat into the bunker.
The events of 9/11 made security aware that in the event of a surprise attack, there was likely to be insufficient advance notice to evacuate the president and that it would be difficult to flee Washington. The roads are too congested for vehicles to pass, and escaping by helicopter is "very dangerous".
So, during the Obama administration in 2010, plans to build bunkers under the North Lawn of the White House began to emerge.
White House staff at 911 in bunkers.
Speaking after the 9/11 incident, Bush met with the National Security Council at the PEOC.