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20 Iconic Government Buildings of the US, UK, Canada, and Australia
From neoclassical domes and gothic clock towers to underground parliament chambers, these 20 monumental seats of state power define four democratic nations.
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20 Iconic Government Buildings of the US, UK, Canada, and Australia 
20. Parliament House, VictoriaVictoria's grand classical seat served as Australia's federal parliament from 1901 to 1927. 
19. Ontario Legislative BuildingQueen's Park's pink sandstone Richardsonian Romanesque palace opened in 1893. 
18. Scottish Parliament BuildingEnric Miralles' avant-garde Holyrood complex blends Scottish granite, oak, and wild landscape. 
17. Library Of CongressThe gilded 1897 Beaux-Arts palace is the world's largest library and intellectual treasury. 
16. High Court Of AustraliaCanberra's soaring 40-metre Brutalist concrete and glass monument houses the apex bench. 
15. Supreme Court Of CanadaErnest Cormier's Art Deco château masterpiece overlooks the Ottawa River as Canada's apex court. 
14. Foreign Office (Whitehall)George Gilbert Scott's Italianate palace on Whitehall stands as the historic engine of British diplomacy. 
13. National Assembly Of QuebecThe Second Empire fortress atop Parliament Hill is the home of Quebec's National Assembly. 
12. Government House (Yarralumla)The serene 130-acre estate along Lake Burley Griffin is the official vice-regal residence. 
11. Old Parliament HouseThe whitewashed Provisional Parliament House witnessed Australia's trials from 1927 to 1988. 
10. Supreme Court Of The United StatesCass Gilbert's Corinthian marble temple bears the creed: 'Equal Justice Under Law'. 
9. The PentagonThe massive five-sided fortress is the nerve center of U.S. national defense. 
8. Rideau HallThe historic 175-room Regency estate is the official royal residence in Ottawa. 
7. 10 Downing StreetThe world's most famous Georgian door has fronted the British Prime Minister's home for 290 years. 
6. Buckingham PalaceThe 775-room neoclassical palace is the working headquarters of the British Monarchy. 
5. Parliament House (Canberra)Romaldo Giurgola's grass-roofed Capital Hill marvel is capped by an 81-metre flag mast. 
4. Parliament Hill (Centre Block)High Gothic Revival towers and the 92-metre Peace Tower crown the Ottawa River bluff. 
3. Palace Of WestminsterThe Gothic Revival parliamentary wonder along the Thames is anchored by Big Ben. 
2. United States CapitolThe cast-iron dome and neoclassic wings represent the beating heart of American law. 
1. The White HouseJames Hoban's Aquia Creek sandstone mansion has housed every President since Adams.
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©Wikimedia / Daniel Schwen + Architect of the Capitol