Washington D.C.

Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia, is the capital of the United States. It lies on the east coast, between Maryland and Virginia, along the Potomac River near its meeting with the Anacostia River. Unlike the 50 states, the District of Columbia is a federal district and is not part of any state. The city was established as the national capital at the end of the 18th century, and its location was chosen along the Potomac partly because of the river's importance for transportation.

Washington, D.C., covers about 177 square kilometres and had more than 689,000 residents in the 2020 census. The central part of the city is organized around broad avenues, public squares and open spaces, including the National Mall. Many important federal institutions are located there, such as the White House, the Capitol and the Supreme Court, as well as museums and monuments belonging to the Smithsonian Institution and other organizations. The city's landscape combines a planned urban core with rivers, parks and wooded areas.

The Potomac and Anacostia rivers strongly influence its geography, while Rock Creek forms a natural valley through part of the district. Washington has a humid subtropical climate, with hot and often humid summers, cool winters and precipitation throughout the year. Snowfall can occur in winter, although amounts vary considerably from one year to another. The city is also known for its distinctive urban plan, largely shaped by Pierre Charles L'Enfant, whose late-18th-century design included wide avenues and important public spaces.

Because Washington is the seat of the federal government, its population and daily activity are strongly influenced by political institutions, public administration, diplomacy and tourism. At the same time, it is a residential city with diverse neighborhoods, universities, cultural institutions and local communities. Its geography and carefully planned layout reflect its special role as the political capital of the United States.