Washington, DC Guide

DC Information Resource

Capital: NA

Although New York City and Philadelphia each served briefly as the capital of the United States, in 1790, Congress chose the District of Columbia as the permanent seat of government. George Washington helped select the site for the city. Situated on the Potomac River, Washington, D.C., was originally carved out of land transferred from Maryland and Virginia (Virginia's portion south of the river was returned to that state in 1846).

Residents of Washington were given the right to vote for president and vice president with the ratification of the 23rd Amendment in 1961. But the District of Columbia does not have statehood.

French-born American engineer, architect, and urban designer Pierre-Charles L'Enfant designed the city's basic plan, which features wide avenues radiating from the Capitol building through a grid of streets with numerous circles and parks. The name District of Columbia honors Christopher Columbus, and the city's better-known name of Washington, honors the first president. Congress first met in Washington in 1800, although construction of the first phase of the Capitol was not completed until 1826. Today, millions come to Washington, D.C. each year to see the Capitol, the White House, the Library of Congress, and the city's many museums and monuments. The flower is the American beauty rose.

Area - 68.25 square miles (176.75 square km) [Washington, D.C. is smaller in area than any state in the USA]
Population - 572,059 (as of 2000) [Washington, D.C. has more people than Wyoming, the least populous state but fewer people than Vermont, the 49th most populous state]
Major Industry - government
Major Rivers - Potomac River, Anacostia River
Highest Point - Tenleytown - 410 feet (125 m) above sea level
Bordering States - Virginia, Maryland

Washington, DC Almanac: Facts & Figures, Economy, and Geography

• Almanac

Washington, DC College, Universities, and Schools

• Colleges and Universities
• Public Colleges
• Community Colleges
• Private Colleges & Independent Schools

District of Columbia Cities Colleges:

Washington, DC Financial and Insurance Services

• Credit Counseling
• Debt Consolidation
• Debt Management & Counseling
• Home Mortgages
• Insurance Companies

Washington, DC Home Services

• Home Improvements
• Lawn & Garden Services
• Washington DC Security Services
• Termite & Pest Control

• District of Columbia Window Treatments

Washington, DC Media and Traffic Reports

• News & Headlines
• Newspapers
• Radio Stations
• Televisions
• Traffic Reports

Washington, DC History, Timelines, and Famous People

• Early History
• History
• History Timeline
• Famous People
• District Facts

Washington, DC District

• District

Washington, DC Symbols

• District Symbols

• District Bird
• District Flag
• District Flower
• District Motto
• District Name
• District Seal
• District Tree

Other Washington, DC Resources

• District of Columbia Missing Children
• CapitolImpact.com - Government Gateway
• lexisONE(R) - Legal Research
• Kaiser StateHealthFacts.org - Health Facts
• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
• Merriam-Webster's Atlas - Geography
• NACo - Counties
• National Park Guide
• State Transportation Department