State visits usually involve a military review.

A state visit is a formal visit by one head of state to another country, at the invitation of the other country's head of state. State visits are the highest form of diplomatic contact between two states, and are marked by major ceremonial and diplomatic formality. In parliamentary democracies, though the heads of state may formally issue and accept the invitation to visit, they do so on the instruction of their governments, who usually agree together on when the invitation is to be issued in advance. President Bush Welcomes President of Kenya for State Visit: State Arrival Ceremonies for the Republic of Kenya included a military review on the South Lawn of the White House. ... President Bush Welcomes President of Kenya for State Visit: State Arrival Ceremonies for the Republic of Kenya included a military review on the South Lawn of the White House. ... Queen Elizabeth II, is the Head of State of 16 countries including: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Jamaica, New Zealand and the Bahamas, as well as crown colonies and overseas territories of the United Kingdom. ...

State visits usually involve:

• state banquets hosted by each head of state, with the other head of state being the guest of honor;
• a visit to parliament, often with a formal address being delivered to parliament;
• high profile visits to famous national landmarks;
• formal cultural events celebrating both countries, which are held in conjunction with the state visit.

The visiting head of state is usually accompanied by a senior government minister, usually by the foreign minister. Behind the diplomatic formalities, delegations made up from trade organisations also travel with the head of state, with the head of state's visit offering a chance to network and develop economic, cultural and social links. In practice most state visits lead to inter-state investment and a growth in jobs, often in the tourist sector of the country being visited, as its tourist sites and famous locations are visited in the glare of media publicity by the visiting head of state. At the end of the visit, the visiting head of state usually then issues an invitation to the host head of state to pay a state visit to his or her state in return. Insert non-formatted text hereInsert non-formatted text here:This article is about the legislative institution. ... Originally, a landmark literally meant a geographic feature used by explorers and others to find their way back or through an area. ... A minister for foreign affairs, or foreign minister, is a cabinet minister who helps form the governmental foreign policy of a sovereign nation. ... A fruit stand at a market. ... A tourist boat travels the River Seine in Paris, France Tourism can be defined as the act of travel for the purpose of recreation, and the provision of services for this act. ...

The costs of the visit are usually borne by the treasurer of the host country.

Most countries host fewer than 10 state visits per year, with some as few as two.

Most visiting heads of state usually stay either in the host head of state's residence or in a special guest residence, though some stay in their country's embassy. Among the state residences used in such cases are

• United Kingdom
  • Buckingham Palace
  • Windsor Castle
  • Holyrood Palace

• United States
  • Blair House
  • Camp David

• Finland
  • Hilton Helsinki Kalastajatorppa
  • Kultaranta, Naantali

• Republic of Ireland
  • Farmleigh Guest Residence

• Canada
  • 7 Rideau Gate

State visits by well-known leaders, like U.S. presidents, draw a lot of attention. Their visits draw huge crowds. Buckingham Palace and the Victoria Memorial. ... Windsor Castle: The Round Tower or keep dominating the castle, as seen from the River Thames. ... A 19th century view of Holyrood Palace from Calton Hill. ... Blair House is a guest house for state visitors to Washington, D.C. (in the United States of America). ... Main Lodge at Camp David during Nixon administration, February 9, 1971. ... The word Hilton can refer to a number of different people, places, and things. ... Province Southern Finland Region Uusimaa Sub-region Helsinki City manager Jussi Pajunen Official languages Finnish, Swedish Area  - total  - land ranked 342nd 185. ... Kultaranta (Finnish), Gullranda (Swedish), is the summer residence of the President of Finland. ... Naantali (Swedish Nådendal, Latin Vallis Gratiae - valley of grace), city in south-western Finland, known as the probably most important tourist centre of the country. ... Farmleigh was formerly one of the Dublin residences of the Guinness brewing family. ... 7 Rideau Gate 7 Rideau Gate is the official guest house of the Canadian government, located in Ottawa, Ontario. ... The presidential seal was used by President Hayes in 1880 and last modified in 1959 by adding the 50th star for Hawaii. ...

See also

• List of state visits made by Queen Elizabeth II