About Washington
Washington, located in the District of Columbia, which is part of Maryland, is the Capital of the United States of America. The US Congress approved a federal district along the Potomac River in 1790. Then President George Washington was permitted to decide exactly where to locate the new capital, which was also named after him. Washington chose to locate the new capital city near the port city of Georgetown, MD. The 2 cities (Washington and Georgetown) were consolidated in 1871 to form what is now Washington, DC.
In 1790, the states of Maryland and Virginia donated land to the US government for the purpose of building the city. Originally, the city was to be a 10 by 10 mile square with a total land area of 100 square miles. The area was surveyed and many of the marker stones are still in place.
The current land area of the city is 61 sq mi (68 total including water). The Southern part of the city which is now Alexandria (across the river) was once part of the original district and was given back to the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1846. This was known as an act of retrocession and occurred for a couple reasons. The area was thought neglected compared to the Maryland side and Congress had passed legislation to prohibit the construction of public buildings on the South side of the river. Therefore it made sense for both parties to allow Virginia to develop the land.
The population of Washington is approximately 601,000 according to the 2010 US Census, which ranks it 26th in the country. The Washington Metro area which includes suburbs in Maryland and Virginia is home to nearly 5.6 million people making it the 7th largest market in the US. The city has a relatively high density of residents with 9,800 people per square mile. The high density as well as the Heights of Buildings Act of 1910, in which no building is to exceed the width of the street plus 20 feet, causes a good deal of congestion in the city as well as a lack of affordable housing. Although the Buildings Act is the real cause of the low and sprawling skyline, many believe that there is a law in place which states that no building is to be taller than the US Capitol Building or the 555 foot Washington Monument.
The city has an elected Mayor that presides over the local municipal government. Congress, however, has supreme authority over the city since it was originally intended to be a federal district. Taxation without representation is a common theme throughout the city since there is technically no Senator or Representative that votes for the residents of the city. There is, however, a non-voting delegate in the US Congress and Senate that is there to participate in governmental affairs at large. Residents were not permitted to vote in Presidential Elections until the passage of the 23rd Amendment in 1961.
As you would expect, the economy of the city is comprised mostly of US government employees. 27% of the workforce is employed by the government and other sectors such as lobbyists, trade unions and professional associations account for a significant amount of jobs. Other economic activity in the city is mostly professional services such as lawyers and financial services. Education and scientific research is prevalent in the city as well. All the tourist attractions such as monuments, museums and performances in the area draw millions of visitors to the city every year.
Pro Sports Teams
Washington Redskins (NFL), Washington Nationals (MLB), Washington Wizards (NBA), Washington Capitals (NHL), DC United (MLS)
Nearby Cities & Towns
Bethesda MD, Cabin John MD, Potomac MD, South Kensington MD, Chevy Chase MD, Silver Spring MD, Adelphi MD, College Park MD, Berwyn Heights MD, Goddard MD, Greenbelt MD, New Carrollton MD, Glen Dale MD, Bowie MD, Crofton MD, Beltsville MD, Calverton MD, Lanham-Seabrook MD, Mitchellville MD, Glenarden MD, Woodmoore MD, Lake Arbor MD, Hyattsville MD, East Riverdale MD, Mt Ranier, Chillum, Langley Park MD, Takoma Park, Hillandale, Wheaton-Glenmont MD, Rockville MD, Forestville MD, Aspen Hill MD, Gaithersburg MD, Langley VA, Mclean VA, Tysons Corner VA, Brookmont VA, Dunn Loring VA, Oakton VA, Fairfax VA, Arlington VA, Mantua VA, Annandale VA, Springfield VA, Rose Hill VA, Falls Church VA, Alexandria VA, Burke VA, Newington VA, Mt. Vernon VA, Huntington VA, Reston VA, Herndon VA, Chantilly VA, Centreville VA, Manassas VA, Ashburn VA, Dale City VA, Franconia VA, Woodbridge VA, Quantico VA, Lorton VA, Lake Ridge VA
