WASHINGTON, DC, THE U.S. CAPITAL, IS A COMPACT CITY ON THE POTOMAC RIVER, BORDERING THE STATES OF MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA.
The District of Columbia is the seat of power in America. The city was named for George Washington, first president and founding father. It’s a popular destination too! Over 20 million visitors stopped by last year alone to see our beautiful museums and monuments like Lincoln Memorial-definitely worth an afternoon visit!
The United States 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). The signing of the Residence Act on July 16, 1790 approved the creation of a capital district located along with its River near to East Coast where people can enjoy this historical place without having trouble in there transportation system and other things that would be helpful when they want to go there.
The District of Columbia was founded in 1791 to serve as the nation’s capital and Congress held its first session there in 1800. In 1801, it became an official territory after being split from Maryland and Virginia (including Georgetown and Alexandria).
In 1846, Congress returned land originally ceded by Virginia including the city of Alexandria; but then a year later they created one municipal government for all remaining portions.
The city has been trying to become a state for over 100 years, and they finally got their wish in 2021 when the House of Representatives passed legislation.
You could say that Washington D.C is a city of neighborhoods! One way to get acquainted with this vibrant town, home to the White House and Congress Hall, would be by getting lost in one of its 131 districts or quadrants centered on historic landmarks like Capitol Hill where you will find as many museums as streets are named after Presidents including our 16th President Andrew Jackson who was known for his wild sense-of-humor.
The first thing I saw when I visited DC was one giant building smack dab in the middle – it’s just not possible not notice how much construction there appears to be going on at any given time; there were cranes everywhere! The next stop we made before meeting up with some friends from out here .
Washington, D.C., is the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the country and has a daytime population that can reach one million people on weekdays when commuters from Maryland and Virginia come to work.
The three branches of the U.S. federal government make Washington D.C their home, and you’ll find them all around downtown: Congress (legislative), the president (executive), and Supreme Court (judicial). There are also many national monuments that dot our beautiful National Mall–we’re not just a city full of museums!
The city hosts 177 foreign embassies, along with the headquarters of many international organizations. There are trade unions and non-profits as well as lobbying groups and professional associations all over this town!
A locally elected mayor and a 13-member council have governed the district since 1973. Congress maintains supreme authority over the city and may overturn local laws. D.C. residents elect a non-voting, at-large congressional delegate to the House of Representatives, but the district has no representation in the Senate. District voters choose three presidential electors in accordance with the Twenty-third Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1961.
