City of Washington

Washington, D.C. (formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D.C.) is the capital of the United States. Located within the District of Columbia (or D.C.). Both the district and the city are situated on the Potomac River bank and shares borders on the north, east and south with Maryland and on the west with Virginia. The city is named after the President George Washington, similar to the State of Washington. The name Columbia had originated from one of the first explorers to ‘discover' the Americas, Christopher Columbus. Washington D.C. was founded in 1790 and its present territory was ‘borrowed' from the State of Maryland.


DC history began in 1790 when Congress directed selection of a new capital site, 100 sq mi, along the Potomac. When the site was determined, it included 30.75 sq mi on the Virginia side of the river. In 1846, however, Congress returned that area to Virginia, leaving the 68.25 sq mi ceded by Maryland in 1788.


Tourism is an integral part of Washington D.C. because of its national landmarks. Some of these famous features include the Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, National World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, District of Columbia War Memorial, Albert Einstein Memorial, and United States Navy Memorial. The world's largest museum complex, Smithsonian Institution, is an interesting and educational experience.