Washington, D.C.  is the capital of the United States & was founded on July 16, 1790. Washington was a separate municipality within the Territory of Columbia until an act of Congress in 1871 merged the City & the Territory into the District of Columbia. 

Washington is located on the banks of the Potomac River & bordered by the states of Virginia & Maryland. The United States Constitution provides for a federal district to serve as the permanent national capital. All three branches of the federal government are located in the District along with many of the USA's monuments & museums.

 Washington, D.C. is also home to foreign embassies, the headquarters of the World Bank & the International Monetary Fund.

Suburbs

Adams-Morgan

Popular with the young, hip crowd & a great place to find ethnic restaurants, quirky shops & offbeat bars.

Anacostia

Anacostia is a historic African-American neighborhood  & home to the Anacostia Museum which showcases African-American culture.

Capitol Hill

"The Hill" is known for its interesting blend of government buildings, Victorian row houses, restaurants & shops. 

Chinatown

Chinatown is a small neighborhood close to downtown Washington. Many of the city's Asian restaurants & shops are here. 

Dupont Circle

With its historic townhouses, art galleries & theaters, Dupont Circle is a great place to explore. Three of the District's major avenues - New Hampshire, Connecticut and Massachusetts - converge here. 

Foggy Bottom

Home to the Department of State, the Kennedy Center, the Watergate Hotel & George Washington University. Foggy Bottom got its name when smoke from the neighborhood factories & the swampy air combined to produce a permanent fog along the waterfront.

Georgetown

Washington's oldest neighborhood has tree-lined streets & handsome brick houses. It is home to Georgetown University & is a popular place to shop, have dinner & enjoy the nightlife. 

Southwest/Waterfront

The waterfront runs along several blocks with piers, sailboats, yachts, fishing boats, seafood markets & restaurants.

Alexandria & Arlington

Virginian communities across the Potomac River from Washington stand apart from other local areas. Old Town Alexandria boasts hundreds of restored buildings from the 18th & 19th centuries. Visitors can walk along cobbled streets & the waterfront. Arlington boasts many major attractions including: Arlington National Cemetery, the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial & the Pentagon.