The District of Columbia is a federal district, a separate entity under the direct control of the federal government. The seat of the federal government is often located in a federal district, so that no single individual component state can exercise inappropriate influence over federal affairs.
Major Cities
The District of Columbia is occupied entirely by the national capital city of Washington
Nicknames
Nation’s Capital, America’s First City
Area
68 sq. miles
Population
570,898(2006)
Washington D.C - Physical features
Physical Features
Tidal Basin
Rivers
Potomac, Anacostia
Highest Point
Tenleytown
Bordering States
Maryland (north, southeast), Virginia (west)
National Parks
None
Key Products
Federal Government, Tourism
Attractions
George Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, US Capitol, White House, National Mall, Smithsonian Institute, and the city’s many museums and natural history landmarks
Washington D.C - History
1790
George Washington selects land along the Potomac River as site for new capital
1800
The Government moves from Philadelphia, PA to DC
1812
British forces burn half of DC during The War of 1812
1846
Virginia asks for its part of DC back
Washington D.C - Facts
No buildings in Washington can be higher than the US Capitol
Washington was designed and layed out by french architect Pierre Charles L’ Enfant
Tenleytown, a suburb in the northwestern part of DC, has the highest point in the district
Washington serves as the headquarters for many key international organizations, such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the Organization of American States
The District of Columbia was named after Christopher Columbus and the city of Washington was named after US president George Washington
George Washington was the only US President not to live in the White house. The first president to do so was John Adams,the second president of the United States
Washington is very popular with tourists and boasts many landmarks, including the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the largest Roman Catholic church in the United States
The Tidal Basin, surrounded by famed cherry trees on all sides, is a popular attraction for tourists who travel to DC. The Jefferson Memorial overlooks the basin