Washington, DC

Washington, DC, is the capital of the United States of America. Often referred to as "the District" or "DC," Washington is home to all three branches of government, 172 foreign embassies, and several international organizations. The exact site of Washington on the Potomac River between the states of Maryland and Virginia was chosen by President George Washington. The population of Washington, DC, is nearly 600,000 residents, the majority of whom are African American.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Washington, DC, is divided into four quadrants -- Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast -- with the United States Capitol Building at the center.

• Northwest Washington is the District's largest quadrant. The White House is located here, along with the National Cathedral and five universities. Rock Creek Park, the largest natural area in Washington, is in Northwest, as are the diverse neighborhoods of DuPont Circle and Adams Morgan, both popular shopping and nightlife destinations. Much of Washington's economic and political activity is centered in Northwest; it contains the city's financial district and the Federal Triangle, the site of many federal government offices. Foggy Bottom, the neighborhood that contains the central offices of the State Department, is also in Northwest Washington. Northwest is Washington's wealthiest quadrant; its Georgetown neighborhood is known for affluent lobbyist and politician residents. Other neighborhoods in Northwest include Mount Pleasant, Columbia Heights, and LeDroit Park, where Howard University is located. Northwest's Chinatown district is the site of the Verizon Center, where Washington's professional basketball and hockey teams play their home games.
• Northeast Washington is the site of the United States National Arboretum and the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Union Station, Washington's Amtrak hub, is located in Northeast Washington. Northeast contains much of Washington's historic Capitol Hill neighborhood. The Brookland neighborhood, also in Northeast Washington, is the site of Catholic University and a number of Catholic institutions, including the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop headquarters.
• Southeast Washington contains the rest of the Capitol Hill neighborhood, as well as the historic Anacostia neighborhood. The Anacostia River, a tributary of the Potomac, divides Southeast into two distinct parts. On the north side of the Potomac, nearer the Capitol Building, are the RFK Stadium, Navy Yard, and Nationals Park, home of Washington's professional baseball team. Crime and poverty are high in Southeast, though a recent influx of young professionals moving to the area has led to development and gentrification in the Capitol Hill and Eastern Market neighborhoods. Eastern Market is home to a popular long-running public market that first opened in 1873.
• Southwest Washington is the smallest quadrant in the District and is largely surrounded by water. It is made up of several sections. The Southwest Employment District is home to the Smithsonian Institution, including the National Air and Space Museum, the United States Botanical Gardens, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, as well as a number of federal office buildings. The Southwest Waterfront, which contains the Maine Avenue Fish Market and Potomac Park, is the site of the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, and the World War II Memorial. The largely residential Bellevue neighborhood, located south of the Anacostia River and west of the Potomac, is the site of Bolling Air Force Base, the Naval Research Laboratory, and the Blue Plains Sewage Treatment Plant.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

The federal government is the largest employer in Washington, DC, accounting for more than a quarter of all of the city's jobs. As a result of Washington's position as the nation's political and governmental center, lobbying firms, think tanks, nonprofit organizations, and union and professional organizations make up a large percentage of the city's employers. K Street is the traditional home of lobbying activity. Washington has the country's third-highest volume of commercial downtown office space, behind New York City and Chicago, but ordinances mandating the maximum height of buildings prohibit skyscrapers.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Historic and civic tourism is a major draw in Washington.

• The National Mall, which includes the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and several museums, is the primary tourist destination.
• The Smithsonian Institution, a foundation funded by Congress, operates many museums in Washington, including the National Museum of Natural History, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. All these museums are free of charge to visitors.
• The Mall's National Gallery of Art, an art museum owned by the federal government, is also free of charge.

Washington also boasts substantial offerings in the performing arts.

• The John F. Kennedy Center, located along the Potomac River, is the home of the Washington Ballet, the National Symphony Orchestra, and the Washington National Opera, and often hosts touring Broadway productions.
• U Street in Northwest Washington, a traditionally African-American area, is known as "Black Broadway" and contains a number of renowned jazz venues.
• The city's Shakespeare Theatre Company, the Studio Theatre, and Arena Stage produce independent theater.

EDUCATION

• Several four-year colleges are located in Washington, DC. They include American University, the Catholic University of America, Gallaudet University, George Washington University, Georgetown University, Howard University, Southeastern University, Strayer University, Trinity Washington University, and the University of the District of Columbia.
• The Corcoran College of Art and Design is in Washington, as well as the Wesley Theological Seminary.
• In addition, Washington is home to federal institutions of higher learning, including the Graduate School at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as well as the National Defense University and the National Defense Intelligence College, both operated by the U.S. Department of Defense.

LOCAL MEDIA

Headquartered in Washington are such media companies and outlets as National Public Radio, Voice of America, C-SPAN, National Geographic Channel, Black Entertainment Channel, and XM Satellite Radio.

The Washington Post is the primary local newspaper. The area also hosts The Washington Times and specialty periodicals such as Washington Informer, The Hill, and Washington Afro American.