The Twenty-Second Inforum World Conference in Alexandria, Virginia, USA

Alexandria, a small, charming, very walkable city with much to share, is one of of the United States' most historic cities, dating back to our colonial era with a fairly significant number of buildings from the pre- and post-revolutionary times. It is situated on the Potomac River and was once one of the ten busiest ports in America. Located less than seven miles from Washington, D.C. and founded in 1749 by Scottish merchants eager to put its natural harbor to use shipping goods to England, the city plan, which was devised by the Virginia House of Burgesses, was plotted by a young surveyor named George Washington. Alexandria hosted the first conference to frame the U.S. Constitution, was the site of the first casualty of the Civil War, and endured the longest Union occupation of the war.

From its harbor, colonial sea captains plied the triangle trade routes carrying local crops to England, and returned with manufactured goods and the produce of the English Caribbean colonies. The pineapple, a common motif in Alexandria, is a symbol of welcome and hospitality. It recalls the open house given for neighbors that marked a captain's return from a sea voyage, and this exotic fruit served as the table's centerpiece.

The market square, located on King Street just east of Washington Street, is still in use as a public market every Saturday morning.

Photos will be posted here when available.