An estimated 2.2 million visitors a year now see portions of the Institution s collections when they visit Smithsonian-affiliated museums. Overall annual attendance at Smithsonian-affiliated museums is estimated to be 6.2 million. In some affiliated museums, attendance has increased as much as 35 percent because of loaned Smithsonian collections. The Smithsonian Institution is the world s largest museum and research complex, with 16 museums and galleries, the National Zoo and several research facilities around the world. D.C. One of the world s leading scientific research centers, the Institution has facilities in eight states and the Republic of Panama.
Research is carried out in the museums themselves and in facilities all over the world.
The total number of objects, works of art and specimens at the Smithsonian is more than 142 million.