Washington DC – Capital of the United States of America
Washington DC is the capital of the United States of America. The abbreviation DC stands for the District of Columbia. Washington DC is often referred to as Washington, DC or the District. Washington DC is located along the Potomac River on the east coast of the country. This area does not belong to any state.
Washington DC is also named after US President George Washington and was founded in 1791. The states of Maryland and Virginia provided land for this central area.
The center of the three branches of the federal government, including Congress, the Supreme Court, and the President, is located in Washington DC. The city is home to many national monuments, museums, foreign embassies, headquarters of international organizations, trade unions and professional associations. Famous places like White House, Smithsonian, Lincoln Memorial, United States Capitol, etc. located in Washington DC.
Washington and Washington DC are two places that confuse many of us. Washington is a state on the Pacific coast of the United States. Washington DC, located on the east coast of the United States, is the capital of the United States. The main difference between Washington and Washington DC is that Washington is a state while Washington DC is a federal territory.
Character of the Washington DC
Washington is a unique city, with many people: a working federal government, an international metropolis, a great tourist destination, an incredible wealth of history and national artifacts, and a city center that retains the charm of the city’s neighborhoods.
Washington’s role as the capital of the United States often overshadows the country’s history and complex political, economic and social history. About half of Washington’s land is owned by the US government, which does not pay taxes on it. Hundreds of thousands of people in the DC metro area work for the federal government.
In the last half of the 20th century, the “urban flight” of the middle class contributed to the loss of more than a quarter of the city’s population. As new jobs, especially high-tech jobs, in Maryland and Virginia, the rural population increased by 50% each year.
In the first decade of the 21st century, however, Washington’s population began to increase as young working-class people migrated to urban areas. Despite these demographic changes, the local economy and that of neighboring Maryland and Virginia remain dependent.
History
In 1774, the First Continental Congress – a group of representatives from the colonies – needed a place to meet. The first delegates met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is the capital city, because the capital city is wherever the seat of government is. When the first American president, George Washington, took office in 1789, the capital was New York. But the 13 states in the north and the south wanted a capital that would represent them equally, not the north or south.
(At that time, all the states were located along the East Coast, from Georgia to New Hampshire.) So, in 1790, Washington chose a place in the middle, exactly between the states of Maryland and Virginia. The founders of America were afraid that the people of Washington, DC would influence Congress in the wrong way and decided that its residents would not be represented in the House of Representatives or the Senate. Even today, residents of DC do not have voting representatives in Congress. (But residents can vote in federal elections.)
The city was almost destroyed in the War of 1812 against Great Britain. For a time, the town’s population was small, but it suddenly grew after the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, when many newly freed slaves came to live there.
Today, Washington, D.C., is a federal district of 68 square kilometers that is home to important government buildings, including the United States Capitol, where the Senate and House of Representatives meet; The White House, where the president lives and works; and the Supreme Court, where many important decisions are made. The city is also full of monuments, including the Washington Monument, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial.
Best Things to do in Washington D.C.
World War II Memorial
The World War II Memorial was dedicated in 2004 to the 16 million American soldiers who served in World War II, including the thousands who lost their lives in combat. A circle of 56 columns (representing the states and territories of the US at the time) overlooks Rainbow Lake. At night, with the lights on, this monument can be a bad thing.
The structure also has a wall of more than 4,000 gold stars – one for every 100 Americans who died in the conflict. Past visitors have said they were happy and excited when they visited the World War II Memorial. Although you’ll rub shoulders with other tourists in the spring and summer, past travelers recommend timing your visit during one of these times to can enjoy the water part of the memory.
The World War II Memorial is located on the main thoroughfare of the National Mall, between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, and can be reached by taking the DC Circulator’s National Mall bus or Metro’s Blue, Silver or Orange Lines to the Smithsonian Station.
It is also a featured stop on many city bus tours. The idea is free for you to find 24 hours a day, but it moves it by the Park’s work by the day of the 9:30 A.M. Up to 10 P.M.
National Air & Space Museum:
In the case of the best of the world of the world is best in all the world, where the sky shows you on the journey of aircraft and modern program. One of the most popular occasions in Washington DC and his family, the shows of this amazing museum will taste kids.
With the Wright Brothers’ Flyer 03, an interactive section and flight simulation experience, the museum offers a wonderful way to spend a few fun hours. The Albert Einstein Planetarium is also a must-visit. Opening hours: daily, 10:00 am to 5:30 pm.
Washington National Cathedral: Visit the exceptional place
This magnificent neo-Gothic architectural marvel will leave you in awe of its beautiful exterior and equally mesmerizing interiors. The exquisitely designed stained glass windows give and the many unique altars add to its elegance and beauty.
There are some free tours to explore the hidden gems in this amazing building. A gargoyle and monster tour is one of the most unique things to do in Washington DC. Don’t miss Darth Vader’s gargoyle, the beautiful garden and the cathedral cafe
