Washington, D.C.: The Capital of the United States

Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia, is the capital of the United States, located on the northern bank of the Potomac River. Also known as D.C. or The District, it is situated on the border with Maryland to the north and east and bordered by Virginia to the southwest along the Potomac River. The “Columbia” in its name refers to Lady Columbia, the national personification of the United States, while the city itself was named after George Washington, the first president of the United States. Washington, D.C. was created as a special federal district, not part of any state, to serve as the U.S. capital, following the Residence Act of 1790. It became a formal federal district under congressional control in 1801.

The Washington metropolitan area is a large region consisting of Washington, D.C., and surrounding communities, including Alexandria, Arlington, Bethesda, and Tysons. It is an important economic and tourism center in the region, offering numerous job opportunities. Key employers include federal government agencies, as well as universities and hospitals such as George Washington University Hospital, Georgetown University, and American University.

Geographic Location and Accessibility

Washington, D.C. is located in the Eastern United States, 40 miles southwest of Baltimore, 136 miles southwest of Philadelphia, and 226 miles southwest of New York City. It is served by major highways, including Interstates 295 and 695 and U.S. Routes 1 and 29.

The city is home to the most important federal government offices and many iconic U.S. landmarks.

• The White House, located at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW (38.897718, -77.0366056), serves as the home and workplace of the president of the United States. It is open to visitors. Built between October 13, 1792, and November 1, 1800, it has housed every U.S. president since then. Designed by James Hoban in the Neoclassical style, it has been designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark since 1960.
• The United States Capitol, located within the U.S. Capitol Grounds on Capitol Hill (38.8899302, -77.0091111), is a neoclassical building serving as the home of the U.S. legislature. It was built at the beginning of the 19th century and has been a U.S. National Historic Landmark since 1960.
• Located on the National Mall at 10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW (38.8913646, -77.0263191), the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History was founded in 1910 and features a collection of approximately 146 million specimens, including fossils, meteorites, and rocks. It is one of the largest natural history museums in the world.
• The National Mall is a National Register of Historic Places–listed park located between Independence Avenue and Constitution Avenue. It includes many iconic landmarks such as the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, National Museum of American History, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
• The United States Botanic Garden, located on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol at 100 Maryland Ave SW (38.8881653, -77.0130029), is an excellent place to explore rare plants and flowers from around the world and enjoy a calming atmosphere. It was established in 1820.
• Washington National Cathedral, located at 3101 Wisconsin Ave NW (38.9306262, -77.0708547), is a historic cathedral built in the Gothic Revival style in the early 20th century. Listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1974, it is among the largest cathedrals in the United States and is known for its breathtaking architecture.
• The National Portrait Gallery, part of the Smithsonian Institution, is located at 8th St NW and G St NW (38.8978055, -77.0230091). Founded in 1962, it welcomes over one million visitors annually. It is the only museum of its kind in the United States dedicated solely to portraiture. Its collection includes works such as “Benjamin Franklin” by Joseph Duplessis (1785), “Abraham Lincoln” by Alexander Gardner (1865), “Charlie Chaplin” by Edward Steichen (1925), “Thomas Jefferson” by Gilbert Stuart (1805), and “Barack Obama” by Kehinde Wiley (2018).
• Capital One Arena, located at 601 F St NW (38.8981402, -77.0210613), stands next to the National Portrait Gallery. With a seating capacity of 20,000 people, it is a major sports and entertainment venue in the capital. Opened on December 2, 1997, this indoor arena hosts basketball, pro wrestling, and ice hockey events. It serves as the home arena of the Washington Capitals (NHL), the Washington Wizards (NBA), and the Georgetown Hoyas (NCAA).