a nonprofit
research institution and a large museum
complex located in
Washington,
DC, USA. The Institute was founded in 1846 by the
United States Congress with
funds given to the United
States by British scientist James Smithson (1765-1829). Smithson
left his fortune to found an institute for the "increase and diffusion of
knowledge among men." The
Smithsonian Institute is supported by
federal funding and by
grants and gifts. It sponsors scientific
research and exploration and publishes books and periodicals. The
Smithsonian operates several museums and galleries, such as the Museum of Natural
History, the Museum of
History and
Technology and the National
Gallery of
Art. In addition to these, which
include approximately 59,000,000 objects from nearly all branches of
science,
history and
art, the Institute also operates the National Zoological
Park which exhibits more than 2,000
birds, reptiles and mammals. Its museums, galleries and other exhibits are visited by millions of people annually.