Washington DC
Washington, D.C. is the capital city of the United States. It is located on the the Potomac River which forms its southwestern and southern border with Virginia, and shares a land border with Maryland on its remaining sides. The city was named for George Washington.
The three branches of the federal government are based in the city. The U.S. Constitution provides for a federal district under the exclusive jurisdiction of Congress; the district is therefore not a part of any U.S. state (nor is it one itself). There have been efforts to make the city into a state since the 1880s, a movement that has gained momentum in recent years. A locally elected mayor and council have governed the district since 1973. D.C. residents elect a non-voting congressional delegate to the House of Representatives, but the district has no representation in the Senate.
Washington is home to many national monuments and museums, primarily situated on or around the National Mall. The city hosts 177 foreign embassies as well as the headquarters of many international organizations, including the International Monetary Fund, the Organization of American States, the AARP, the National Geographic Society, the Human Rights Campaign, and the American Red Cross.
Founding Date
1790
Alternative Name(s)
Formally: District of Columbia | Abbreviated: D.C. or Washington
Type
Capital
Population
689,545
Inhabitant Demonym
Washingtonian
Included Locations
Owning Organization
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