U.S. Embassy, Berlin

In Berlin, the new U.S. Embassy (Pariser Platz 2, 10117 Berlin, Germany; phone 030 2385 174 or visit http://germany.usembassy.gov) opened July 4, 2008.

The lot for the $130-million building, near the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag, has been owned by the U.S since 1931; the original diplomatic mission was destroyed in World War II. The embassy is closed on American and German holidays.