City of Washington
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| City of Washington | |
|---|---|
| Name | City of Washington |
| Settlement type | Federal district and capital city |
| Motto | Justitia Omnibus (Justice for All) |
| Nickname | D.C., The District |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Established title | Residence Act |
| Established date | 1790 |
| Founder | George Washington |
| Named for | George Washington |
| Seat type | Mayor |
| Seat | Muriel Bowser |
| Government type | Mayor–council government |
| Leader title | Congressional delegate |
| Leader name | Eleanor Holmes Norton |
| Area total km2 | 177.0 |
| Population total | 689,545 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population density km2 | auto |
| Population rank | 20th in U.S. |
| Population demonym | Washingtonian |
| Timezone | EST |
| Utc offset | −5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | −4 |
| Coordinates | 38, 54, 17, N... |
| Elevation m | 0–125 |
| Elevation ft | 0–410 |
| Postal code type | ZIP Code |
| Postal code | 20001–20098, 20201–20599 |
| Area code | 202 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 11-50000 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 531871 |
| Website | dc.gov |
City of Washington. Formally known as the District of Columbia, it is the capital city of the United States. Founded in 1790 following the Residence Act, the city was established on land donated by the states of Maryland and Virginia. It serves as the seat of the federal government, housing the Congress, the President in the White House, and the Supreme Court.
History
The city's creation was authorized by the Constitution of the United States, with Pierre Charles L'Enfant designing its original Baroque-style plan. The Capitol cornerstone was laid in 1793, and the federal government officially moved from Philadelphia in 1800 under President John Adams. The city was burned during the War of 1812 in an attack by British forces under Robert Ross. It grew significantly after the American Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation, becoming a hub for the Freedmen's Bureau. The Organic Act of 1871 created a unified territorial government, and the Twenty-third Amendment granted its residents presidential electoral votes. The Civil Rights Act of 1968 and the leadership of Walter Washington were pivotal in its modern governance, with the city gaining limited home rule in 1973.
Geography
The city is located on the north bank of the Potomac River, bordered by the states of Maryland and Virginia. Its terrain includes the Atlantic coastal plain and the fall line, featuring neighborhoods like Georgetown and Anacostia. The National Mall is a central parkland stretching from the Lincoln Memorial to the United States Capitol. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and Rock Creek Park are significant natural features. The climate is classified as humid subtropical, with hot summers and mild winters, occasionally affected by weather systems like Nor'easters and Hurricane Isabel.
Government
The city's government operates under a Mayor–council government system, with the current mayor being Muriel Bowser. The Council of the District of Columbia is the legislative body. However, the United States Congress retains ultimate authority over the district, reviewing its budget and laws. The district's non-voting delegate to the House of Representatives is Eleanor Holmes Norton. The District of Columbia Court of Appeals is the highest local court. Key agencies include the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia and the District of Columbia National Guard.
Demographics
According to the 2020 United States Census, the population was 689,545. The racial makeup is diverse, with significant African American, White, and Hispanic communities. The city has a high concentration of professionals with advanced degrees, partly due to the presence of the federal government and institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Neighborhoods such as Shaw and Adams Morgan are historically and culturally significant. The city's population fluctuates daily with commuters from Northern Virginia and Suburban Maryland.
Economy
The economy is dominated by the federal government, with key employers including the U.S. Department of Defense, Health and Human Services, and the General Services Administration. A major professional services sector supports government contractors like Booz Allen Hamilton and Lockheed Martin. Tourism is a vital industry, centered on the Smithsonian Institution museums and monuments. The city is also a hub for global finance, hosting the International Monetary Fund and the Inter-American Development Bank. Media organizations such as The Washington Post, NPR, and C-SPAN are headquartered here.
Culture
The city is a national center for the arts, home to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the National Symphony Orchestra, and the Washington National Opera. The Smithsonian Institution operates numerous museums, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Air and Space Museum. Historic venues include the Howard Theatre and the 9:30 Club. Annual events include the National Cherry Blossom Festival and the White House Easter Egg Roll. The city's culinary scene is noted for its half-smoke sausages and thriving restaurant culture influenced by chefs like José Andrés.
Infrastructure
The city is served by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, which operates the extensive Washington Metro rail and bus network. Major highways include Interstate 495 and Interstate 295. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport provide air travel. The Union Station is a major hub for Amtrak and commuter rail services like MARC and Virginia Railway Express. The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority manages utilities, and primary healthcare is provided by facilities like MedStar Washington Hospital Center and Children's National Hospital.