The United States of America is the most powerful country in the world. Being the capital of the most powerful country, Washington, D.C., is therefore, the most powerful city too. 

Washington, D.C., is formally known as the District of Columbia. Columbia, is a reference to Christopher Columbus, an early European explorer of the Americas. 

The city itself coexists as both the District of Columbia and the city of Washington. When the city was established, it was planned specifically to serve the United States as seat of government. A dispute arose between Virginia and Maryland as to which state would be home to the nation’s capital. Thus, the decision was made to establish Washington DC as an independent, non-state entity. What is most interesting about the city is its inhabitants are rule by the United States Congress, which has ultimate authority over DC and resulting in less government representation for residents than they would enjoy in a state. 

The city is named after George Washington, the first president of the United States and military leader of the American Revolution. It was referred to as the Federal City or Washington City in the nineteenth century. 

The district houses the centres of all three branches of the U.S. Federal government. It is also the commercial and economic powerhouse of the world as the headquarters for the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Organisation of American States, the Inter-American Development Bank and other national and international institutions including labour unions and professional associations are located there. 

The city is also a major tourist attraction. Some of the landmarks and monuments include the National Mall, the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, National World War II Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the White House, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 

A tour of the Capitol Building is a fascinating way to see the several stages of democracy as they emerged over the course of the nation’s history. The building itself was partially burned, along with the rest of the city, in 1814 by British forces and inside you can still see the remains of the old dome and the surrounding new, taller dome. You can also view the first Supreme Court, then housed inside the Capitol. This tour is most exciting because the building is an active part of today’s government, full of congressional interns, staffers and Congressmen. 

Washington DC is also surrounded by several National Parks and recreation areas, including Shenandoah National Park and Anacostia National Park.