Washington DC

by The Linguist

Washington, District of Columbia

Washington, D.C., formally known as the District of Columbia, is the capital of the United States. With a population of 712,743 as of 2021 according to Wikipedia, it is the 20th most populous city in the country.

History

Washington, D.C. was founded on July 16, 1790 and is named after George Washington, the first president of the United States. The city was built on land donated by the states of Maryland and Virginia. It was designed by Pierre Charles L’Enfant and became the official capital in 1800. Here is some more information on the history of Washington, D.C. from the National Park Service.

Government

As the capital of the United States, Washington, D.C. is home to all three branches of the federal government. Many government agencies and institutions are located in the city, including the White House, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, U.S. Capitol, FBI Headquarters, and more. Contact information for the local government can be found on the DC.gov website or by calling +12027271000.

Economy

The economy of Washington, D.C. relies heavily on the federal government. According to the DC Chamber of Commerce, over 25% of jobs in the city are government-related. However, there are also major industries such as education, finance, tourism, and more. Top employers in Washington, D.C. include Howard University (2400 6th St NW, Washington, DC 20059, +12028066000), MedStar Washington Hospital (110 Irving St NW, Washington, DC 20010, +12028777000), Children’s National Hospital (111 Michigan Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010, +12024765100), and Georgetown University (3700 O St NW, Washington, DC 20057, +12026870100).

Population

As of the 2020 census, the population of Washington, D.C. was 689,545. The city has grown rapidly in recent years; between 2010 and 2020, the population increased by over 100,000 residents or 14.6%. Washington, D.C. is a majority-minority city, with less than 40% of residents identifying as non-Hispanic white. The largest ethnic groups are African American at 45.8% and Hispanic/Latino at 12.4% of the population.

Transportation

Washington, D.C. has a comprehensive public transportation system. The Washington Metro subway system serves the city and surrounding suburbs. The Metrobus network provides bus service throughout the city. There is also a public streetcar system called DC Streetcar. Washington’s Union Station provides Amtrak intercity rail service and local commuter rail. Three major airports serve the region: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, and Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

Education

Public schools in Washington, D.C. are operated by District of Columbia Public Schools. The school system has 113 traditional public schools and 52 public charter schools. There are over 50 private schools in Washington, D.C. as well. The city is home to several universities including Georgetown University, George Washington University, Howard University, American University, and more. See the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education for more information on schools.

Landmarks

As the U.S. capital and a major tourist destination, Washington D.C. is home to many famous landmarks. Some of the top attractions include:

  • The White House (1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500) – GPS coordinates 38.8976° N, 77.0365° W
  • Lincoln Memorial (2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW, Washington, DC 20037) – GPS coordinates 38.8894° N, 77.0502° W
  • Washington Monument (2 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20024) – GPS coordinates 38.8895° N, 77.0352° W
  • United States Capitol (East Capitol St NE and First St SE, Washington, DC 20004)
  • National Mall (Between Constitution Ave NW to Independence Ave SW and 14th St NW to 3rd St SW, Washington, DC)
  • National Air and Space Museum (600 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560)

Sports

Washington D.C. is home to several professional sports teams. The Washington Commanders football team plays at FedEx Field in nearby Landover, MD. Baseball’s Washington Nationals and the NBA’s Washington Wizards play at Capital One Arena in downtown D.C. The NHL’s Washington Capitals also call Capital One Arena home. See the Monumental Sports & Entertainment website for details on D.C. sports.

Art and Culture

As a global city, Washington D.C. boasts a thriving arts and culture scene. Major institutions include the Smithsonian Institution, a group of 19 museums including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Portrait Gallery, and National Zoo. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts hosts theater, dance, and music. The city also has a vibrant live music scene featuring jazz, punk, hip hop, and more. Follow Visit Washington DC on Facebook to keep up with cultural events.

Tourism

Tourism is a major industry in Washington, D.C. In 2019, the city hosted 23.8 million visitors according to the tourism board Destination DC. Popular tourist activities include visiting the free Smithsonian museums, taking tours of government buildings like the U.S. Capitol and White House, seeing the monuments and memorials on the National Mall, and exploring neighborhoods like historic Georgetown. Washington D.C. has a diverse culinary scene with many restaurant options for visitors as well.

Additional Local Resources

Here are some other useful resources for those visiting or living in Washington, D.C.:

County Information

Unlike other cities in the U.S., Washington D.C. is not part of any county or state. It is a federal district under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Congress. However, prior to being established as the nation’s capital in 1790, the land that became Washington D.C. was part of Prince George’s County in Maryland and Fairfax County in Virginia.