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Washington D.C.

Capital of United StatesWashington D.C. stands on the north-east bank of the Potomac River, in the Mid-Atlantic region of the eastern United States. Virginia lies across the river, and Maryland surrounds the city on its other three sides.

Why it's the capital

In 1790 the Residence Act created a new capital district on the Potomac, and President George Washington chose the exact spot. It is a federal district under the control of Congress, not part of any state. Congress first met there in 1800, after moving from Philadelphia.

Fun facts

  1. The city is named after George Washington, the first US president, and the district after Columbia, a female figure who stood for the American nation.
  2. In 1814, during the War of 1812, British troops set fire to the Capitol, the White House and other government buildings.
  3. Pierre Charles L'Enfant drew the city plan in 1791, and the city is split into four parts, Northwest, Northeast, Southwest and Southeast, that meet at the Capitol.

Finding it on the globe

Find Chesapeake Bay on the US East Coast, then follow the Potomac River upstream from the bay's western shore. Washington sits on that river, between Virginia and Maryland.

Easy to mix up

Washington D.C. is not in Washington state, which is in the Pacific Northwest on the other side of the country. New York City is the biggest US city, but it is not the capital.

Sources: Wikipedia: Washington, D.C., Wikipedia: Potomac River, Wikipedia: Washington (state), Wikipedia: New York City