--- title: Washington, D.C. — English Wikipedia · full text with trees · page 2 description: Wikipedia's «Washington, D.C.», whole, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics, CC BY-SA 4.0. It begins: Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington, is the federal capital city of the United States, and its only federal district. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Washington,_D.C./page/2/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/) / [en](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/) / Washington, D.C. # Washington, D.C. · page 2 From Wikipedia, [«Washington, D.C.»](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington,_D.C.), revision of the 2026-09-01 dump, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). The trees and pragmatics of these pages, Mova's parse of that text, are CC BY-SA 4.0 too. [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Washington,_D.C./) **2** [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Washington,_D.C./page/3/) [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Washington,_D.C./page/4/) [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Washington,_D.C./page/5/) [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Washington,_D.C./page/6/) Increased federal spending under the [New Deal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Deal) in the 1930s led to the construction of new government buildings, memorials, and museums in the district,[\[52\]](../../page/6/#ref-52 "note 52") though the chairman of the House Subcommittee on District Appropriations, [Ross A. Collins](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_A._Collins) of [Mississippi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississippi), justified cuts to funds for welfare and education for local residents by saying that "my constituents wouldn't stand for spending money on niggers."[\[53\]](../../page/6/#ref-53 "note 53")[78](../../78/ "tree and pragmatics") [World War II](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II) led to an expansion of federal employees in the city;[\[54\]](../../page/6/#ref-54 "note 54") by 1950, the district's population reached its peak of 802,178 residents.[\[42\]](../../page/6/#ref-42 "note 42")[79](../../79/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Civil rights and home rule era See also: [1968 Washington, D.C., riots](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Washington,_D.C.,_riots), [District of Columbia home rule](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/District_of_Columbia_home_rule) The [Twenty-third Amendment to the United States Constitution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty-third_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution) was ratified in 1961, granting the district three votes in the [Electoral College](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_College_%28United_States%29) for the election of president and vice president, but still not affording the city's residents representation in Congress.[\[55\]](../../page/6/#ref-55 "note 55")[80](../../80/ "tree and pragmatics") After the [assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Martin_Luther_King_Jr.) on April 4, 1968, [riots broke out in the city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Washington,_D.C.,_riots), primarily in the U Street, 14th Street, 7th Street, and H Street corridors, which were predominantly black residential and commercial areas.[81](../../81/ "tree and pragmatics") The riots raged for three days until more than 13,600 federal troops and [Washington, D.C., Army National Guardsmen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_National_Guard) stopped the violence.[82](../../82/ "tree and pragmatics") Many stores and other buildings were burned, and rebuilding from the riots was not completed until the late 1990s.[\[56\]](../../page/6/#ref-56 "note 56")[83](../../83/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1973, Congress enacted the [District of Columbia Home Rule Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/District_of_Columbia_Home_Rule_Act) providing for an elected mayor and 13-member council for the district.[\[57\]](../../page/6/#ref-57 "note 57")[84](../../84/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1975, [Walter Washington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Washington) became the district's first elected and first black mayor.[\[58\]](../../page/6/#ref-58 "note 58")[85](../../85/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Statehood movement Main article: [District of Columbia statehood movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/District_of_Columbia_statehood_movement) Since the 1980s, the [D.C. statehood movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/District_of_Columbia_statehood_movement) has grown in prominence.[86](../../86/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2016, a [referendum on D.C. statehood](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Washington,_D.C.,_statehood_referendum) resulted in an 85% support among Washington, D.C., voters for it to become the nation's [51st state](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/51st_state).[87](../../87/ "tree and pragmatics") In March 2017, the city's congressional delegate [Eleanor Holmes Norton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleanor_Holmes_Norton) introduced a bill for statehood.[88](../../88/ "tree and pragmatics") Reintroduced in 2019 and 2021 as the [Washington, D.C., Admission Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington,_D.C.,_Admission_Act), the [U.S. House of Representatives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_House_of_Representatives) passed it in April 2021.[\[59\]](../../page/6/#ref-59 "note 59")[89](../../89/ "tree and pragmatics") After not progressing in the Senate, the statehood bill was introduced again in January 2023.[\[60\]](../../page/6/#ref-60 "note 60")[90](../../90/ "tree and pragmatics") The bill would have made D.C. into a state with one representative and two senators, with the name Washington, Douglass Commonwealth (thus keeping the abbreviation Washington, D.C.).[\[61\]](../../page/6/#ref-61 "note 61")[91](../../91/ "tree and pragmatics") The legalities, reasons, and impact of statehood have been heavily debated in the 2020s.[\[62\]](../../page/6/#ref-62 "note 62")[92](../../92/ "tree and pragmatics") ### 2025 federal takeover Main article: [Executive Order 14333](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_Order_14333) See also: [2025 deployment of federal forces in the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_deployment_of_federal_forces_in_the_United_States) On August 11, 2025, [President Donald Trump](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_presidency_of_Donald_Trump) switched control of the [Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_Police_Department_of_the_District_of_Columbia) from the city government of Washington, D.C., to the federal government, invoking section 740 of the [District of Columbia Home Rule Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/District_of_Columbia_Home_Rule_Act).[93](../../93/ "tree and pragmatics") Trump also deployed [federal law enforcement agencies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_law_enforcement_in_the_United_States) and the [District of Columbia National Guard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/District_of_Columbia_National_Guard) in response to what he said was "rampant crime" in the city.[\[63\]](../../page/6/#ref-63 "note 63")[\[64\]](../../page/6/#ref-64 "note 64")[94](../../94/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Geography Main article: [Geography of Washington, D.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Washington,_D.C.) Washington, D.C., is located in the [Mid-Atlantic region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-Atlantic_%28United_States%29) of the [U.S. East Coast](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Coast_of_the_United_States).[95](../../95/ "tree and pragmatics") The city has a total area of 68.34 sqmi, of which 61.05 sqmi is land and 7.29 sqmi (10.67%) is water.[\[65\]](../../page/6/#ref-65 "note 65")[96](../../96/ "tree and pragmatics") The district is bordered by [Montgomery County, Maryland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montgomery_County,_Maryland), to the northwest; [Prince George's County, Maryland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_George%27s_County,_Maryland), to the east; [Arlington County, Virginia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlington_County,_Virginia), to the west; and [Alexandria, Virginia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandria,_Virginia), to the south.[97](../../97/ "tree and pragmatics") The south bank of the [Potomac River](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potomac_River) forms the district's border with Virginia and has two major tributaries, the [Anacostia River](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anacostia_River) and [Rock Creek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Creek_%28Potomac_River_tributary%29).[\[66\]](../../page/6/#ref-66 "note 66")[98](../../98/ "tree and pragmatics") [Tiber Creek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiber_Creek), a natural watercourse that once passed through the [National Mall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Mall), was fully enclosed underground during the 1870s.[\[67\]](../../page/6/#ref-67 "note 67")[99](../../99/ "tree and pragmatics") The creek also formed a portion of the now-filled [Washington City Canal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_City_Canal), which allowed passage through the city to the Anacostia River from 1815 until the 1850s.[\[68\]](../../page/6/#ref-68 "note 68")[100](../../100/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Chesapeake and Ohio Canal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesapeake_and_Ohio_Canal) starts in [Georgetown](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgetown_%28Washington,_D.C.%29) and was used during the 19th century to bypass the [Little Falls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Falls_%28Potomac_River%29) of the Potomac River, located at the northwest edge of the city at the [Atlantic Seaboard fall line](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_Seaboard_Fall_Line).[\[69\]](../../page/6/#ref-69 "note 69")[101](../../101/ "tree and pragmatics") The highest natural elevation in the district is 409 ft [above sea level](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Height_above_mean_sea_level) at [Fort Reno Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Reno_Park) in upper [northwest Washington, D.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwest_%28Washington,_D.C.%29)[\[70\]](../../page/6/#ref-70 "note 70") The lowest point is sea level at the Potomac River.[\[71\]](../../page/6/#ref-71 "note 71")[102](../../102/ "tree and pragmatics") The geographic center of Washington is near the intersection of 4th and L streets NW.[\[72\]](../../page/6/#ref-72 "note 72")[\[73\]](../../page/6/#ref-73 "note 73")[\[74\]](../../page/6/#ref-74 "note 74")[103](../../103/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Parks There are many parks, gardens, squares, and circles throughout Washington.[104](../../104/ "tree and pragmatics") The city has 683 parks and greenspaces, comprising 7464 acre, about 20% of its land area.[105](../../105/ "tree and pragmatics") Consequently, 99% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park.[106](../../106/ "tree and pragmatics") According to the nonprofit [Trust for Public Land](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trust_for_Public_Land), in 2023 Washington ranked first among the 100 largest U.S. cities for its public parks, based on indicators such as accessibility, the share of land reserved for parks, and the amount invested in green spaces.[\[75\]](../../page/6/#ref-75 "note 75")[\[76\]](../../page/6/#ref-76 "note 76")[\[77\]](../../page/6/#ref-77 "note 77")[107](../../107/ "tree and pragmatics") The [National Park Service](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Park_Service) manages most of the 9122 acre of city land owned by the U.S. government.[\[78\]](../../page/6/#ref-78 "note 78")[108](../../108/ "tree and pragmatics") [Rock Creek Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Creek_Park), located in Northwest D.C., is the largest park in the city, with 1754 acre of urban forest extending 9.3 mi through a stream valley that bisects the city.[109](../../109/ "tree and pragmatics") Established in 1890, it is the country's fourth-oldest national park and is home to a variety of plant and animal species, including raccoon, deer, owls, and coyotes.[\[79\]](../../page/6/#ref-79 "note 79")[110](../../110/ "tree and pragmatics") Other National Park Service properties include the [Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesapeake_and_Ohio_Canal_National_Historical_Park), the [National Mall and Memorial Parks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Mall_and_Memorial_Parks), [Fort Dupont Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Dupont_Park), [Meridian Hill Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meridian_Hill_Park), [Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenilworth_Park_and_Aquatic_Gardens), and [Anacostia Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anacostia_Park).[\[80\]](../../page/6/#ref-80 "note 80")[111](../../111/ "tree and pragmatics") The [District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/District_of_Columbia_Department_of_Parks_and_Recreation) maintains the city's 900 acres of athletic fields and playgrounds, 40 swimming pools, and 68 recreation centers.[\[81\]](../../page/6/#ref-81 "note 81")[112](../../112/ "tree and pragmatics") The [U.S. Department of Agriculture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Agriculture) operates the 446 acre [United States National Arboretum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_National_Arboretum), a dense [arboretum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arboretum) in Northeast D.C. filled with gardens and trails.[113](../../113/ "tree and pragmatics") Its most notable landmark is the [National Capitol Columns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Capitol_Columns) monument.[\[82\]](../../page/6/#ref-82 "note 82")[\[83\]](../../page/6/#ref-83 "note 83")[\[84\]](../../page/6/#ref-84 "note 84")[114](../../114/ "tree and pragmatics") There are several river islands in Washington, D.C., including [Theodore Roosevelt Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Roosevelt_Island) in the [Potomac River](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potomac_River), which hosts the [Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Roosevelt_Island#National_memorial) and a number of trails.[\[85\]](../../page/6/#ref-85 "note 85")[115](../../115/ "tree and pragmatics") [Columbia Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_Island_%28Washington,_D.C.%29), also in the Potomac, is home to the [Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyndon_Baines_Johnson_Memorial_Grove_on_the_Potomac), the [Navy – Merchant Marine Memorial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navy_–_Merchant_Marine_Memorial), and a marina.[116](../../116/ "tree and pragmatics") [Kingman Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingman_Island), in the [Anacostia River](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anacostia_River), is home to [Langston Golf Course](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langston_Golf_Course) and a public park with trails.[\[86\]](../../page/6/#ref-86 "note 86")[117](../../117/ "tree and pragmatics") [West Potomac Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Potomac_Park) includes the parkland that extends south of the [Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Memorial_Reflecting_Pool), from the [Lincoln Memorial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Memorial) to the grounds of the [Washington Monument](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Monument).[\[87\]](../../page/6/#ref-87 "note 87")[118](../../118/ "tree and pragmatics") Located on the northern side of the White House, [Lafayette Square](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lafayette_Square_%28Washington,_D.C.%29) is a historic public square.[119](../../119/ "tree and pragmatics") It has been the site of many protests, marches, and speeches.[120](../../120/ "tree and pragmatics") The houses bordering Lafayette Square have served as the home to many notable figures.[\[88\]](../../page/6/#ref-88 "note 88")[121](../../121/ "tree and pragmatics") Other parks, gardens, and squares include [Dumbarton Oaks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumbarton_Oaks), [Meridian Hill Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meridian_Hill_Park), [the Yards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Yards_%28Washington,_D.C.%29), [Lincoln Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Park_%28Washington,_D.C.%29), [Franklin Square](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_Square_%28Washington,_D.C.%29), [McPherson Square](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McPherson_Square), and [Farragut Square](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farragut_Square).[\[89\]](../../page/6/#ref-89 "note 89")[122](../../122/ "tree and pragmatics") There are a large number of [traffic circles and circle parks in Washington, D.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_circles_in_Washington,_D.C.), including [Dupont Circle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dupont_Circle), [Logan Circle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logan_Circle_%28Washington,_D.C.%29), and [Thomas Circle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Circle).[\[90\]](../../page/6/#ref-90 "note 90")[123](../../123/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Climate See also: [Climate change in Washington, D.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change_in_Washington,_D.C.) Washington's climate is temperate [humid subtropical](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humid_subtropical_climate) ([Köppen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Köppen_climate_classification): Cfa), or [oceanic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oceanic_climate) ([Trewartha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trewartha_climate_classification): Do bordering Cf downtown)[\[91\]](../../page/6/#ref-91 "note 91")[\[92\]](../../page/6/#ref-92 "note 92") Winters tend to be chilly, with some snow of varying intensity, while summers are hot and humid.[124](../../124/ "tree and pragmatics") The district is in plant [hardiness zone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardiness_zone) 8a near downtown, and zone 7b elsewhere in the city.[\[93\]](../../page/6/#ref-93 "note 93")[\[94\]](../../page/6/#ref-94 "note 94")[125](../../125/ "tree and pragmatics") Summers are hot and humid with a July daily average of 79.8 °F and average daily relative humidity around 66%, which can cause moderate personal discomfort.[126](../../126/ "tree and pragmatics") Heat indices regularly approach 100 °F at the height of summer.[\[95\]](../../page/6/#ref-95 "note 95")[127](../../127/ "tree and pragmatics") The combination of heat and humidity in the summer brings very frequent thunderstorms, some of which occasionally produce tornadoes in the area.[\[96\]](../../page/6/#ref-96 "note 96")[128](../../128/ "tree and pragmatics") Blizzards affect Washington once every four to six years on average.[129](../../129/ "tree and pragmatics") The most violent storms, known as [nor'easters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nor%27easter), often impact large regions of the [East Coast](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Coast_of_the_United_States).[\[97\]](../../page/6/#ref-97 "note 97")[130](../../130/ "tree and pragmatics") From [January 27 to 28, 1922](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knickerbocker_storm), the city officially received 28 in of snowfall, the largest snowstorm since official measurements began in 1885.[\[98\]](../../page/6/#ref-98 "note 98")[131](../../131/ "tree and pragmatics") According to notes kept at the time, the city received between 30 and 36 in from a snowstorm in January 1772.[\[99\]](../../page/6/#ref-99 "note 99")[132](../../132/ "tree and pragmatics") Hurricanes or their remnants occasionally impact the area in late summer and early fall.[133](../../133/ "tree and pragmatics") However, they usually are weak by the time they reach Washington, partly due to the city's inland location.[\[100\]](../../page/6/#ref-100 "note 100")[134](../../134/ "tree and pragmatics") Flooding of the [Potomac River](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potomac_River), however, caused by a combination of high tide, storm surge, and runoff, has been known to cause extensive property damage in the [Georgetown](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgetown_%28Washington,_D.C.%29) neighborhood of the city.[\[101\]](../../page/6/#ref-101 "note 101")[135](../../135/ "tree and pragmatics") Precipitation occurs throughout the year.[\[102\]](../../page/6/#ref-102 "note 102")[136](../../136/ "tree and pragmatics") The highest recorded temperature was 106 F on August 6, 1918, and on July 20, 1930.[\[103\]](../../page/6/#ref-103 "note 103")[137](../../137/ "tree and pragmatics") More recently, Washington, D.C. recorded a high temperature of 105 F on July 7, 2012.[\[104\]](../../page/6/#ref-104 "note 104")[138](../../138/ "tree and pragmatics") The lowest recorded temperature was −15 F on [February 11, 1899](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Blizzard_of_1899#Arctic_cold), right before the [Great Blizzard of 1899](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Blizzard_of_1899).[\[97\]](../../page/6/#ref-97 "note 97")[139](../../139/ "tree and pragmatics") During a typical year, the city averages about 37 days at or above 90 F and 64 nights at or below the freezing mark (32 F).[\[105\]](../../page/6/#ref-105 "note 105")[140](../../140/ "tree and pragmatics") On average, the first day with a minimum at or below freezing is November 18 and the last day is March 27.[\[106\]](../../page/6/#ref-106 "note 106")[\[107\]](../../page/6/#ref-107 "note 107")[141](../../141/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Cityscape See also: [Streets and highways of Washington, D.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streets_and_highways_of_Washington,_D.C.), [Neighborhoods in Washington, D.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neighborhoods_in_Washington,_D.C.), [List of tallest buildings in Washington, D.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tallest_buildings_in_Washington,_D.C.) Washington, D.C., was a [planned city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planned_city), and many of the city's [street grids](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_grid) were developed in that initial plan.[142](../../142/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1791, President [George Washington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington) commissioned [Pierre Charles L'Enfant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Charles_L%27Enfant), a French-born military engineer and artist, to design the new capital.[143](../../143/ "tree and pragmatics") He enlisted the help of Isaac Roberdeau, [Étienne Sulpice Hallet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Étienne_Sulpice_Hallet) and Scottish surveyor [Alexander Ralston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Ralston) to help lay out the city plan.[\[108\]](../../page/6/#ref-108 "note 108")[144](../../144/ "tree and pragmatics") The [L'Enfant Plan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%27Enfant_Plan) featured broad streets and avenues radiating out from rectangles, providing room for open space and landscaping.[\[109\]](../../page/6/#ref-109 "note 109")[145](../../145/ "tree and pragmatics") L'Enfant was also provided a roll of maps by [Thomas Jefferson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson) depicting Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Strasbourg, Paris, Orleans, Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, Turin, and Milan.[\[110\]](../../page/6/#ref-110 "note 110")[146](../../146/ "tree and pragmatics") L'Enfant's design also envisioned a garden-lined grand avenue about 1 mi long and 400 ft wide in an area that is now the [National Mall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Mall) inspired by the grounds at [Versailles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Versailles) and [Tuileries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuileries) Gardens.[\[111\]](../../page/6/#ref-111 "note 111")[147](../../147/ "tree and pragmatics") In March 1792, President Washington dismissed L'Enfant due to conflicts with the three commissioners appointed to supervise the capital's construction.[148](../../148/ "tree and pragmatics") [Andrew Ellicott](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Ellicott), who worked with L'Enfant in surveying the city, was then tasked with completing its design.[149](../../149/ "tree and pragmatics") Though Ellicott revised the original L'Enfant plans, including changing some street patterns, L'Enfant is still credited with the city's overall design.[\[22\]](../../page/6/#ref-22 "note 22")[150](../../150/ "tree and pragmatics") By the early 20th century, however, L'Enfant's vision of a grand national capital was marred by slums and randomly placed buildings in the city, including a railroad station on National Mall.[151](../../151/ "tree and pragmatics") Congress formed a special committee charged with beautifying Washington's ceremonial core.[\[49\]](../../page/6/#ref-49 "note 49")[152](../../152/ "tree and pragmatics") What became known as the [McMillan Plan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McMillan_Plan) was finalized in 1901 and included landscaping the Capitol grounds and National Mall, clearing slums, and establishing a new citywide park system.[153](../../153/ "tree and pragmatics") The plan is thought to have largely preserved L'Enfant's intended design for the city.[\[109\]](../../page/6/#ref-109 "note 109")[154](../../154/ "tree and pragmatics") By law, the city's skyline is low and sprawling.[155](../../155/ "tree and pragmatics") The federal [Height of Buildings Act of 1910](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Height_of_Buildings_Act_of_1910) limits building height based on the width of the adjacent street, with maxima of 90 ft on residential streets and 130 ft on commercial ones.[\[112\]](../../page/6/#ref-112 "note 112")[\[113\]](../../page/6/#ref-113 "note 113")[156](../../156/ "tree and pragmatics") Despite popular belief, no law has ever limited buildings to the height of the United States Capitol or the 555 ft [Washington Monument](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Monument),[\[74\]](../../page/6/#ref-74 "note 74") which remains the district's tallest structure.[157](../../157/ "tree and pragmatics") City leaders have cited the height restriction as a primary reason that the district has limited affordable housing and its metro area has suburban sprawl and traffic problems.[\[112\]](../../page/6/#ref-112 "note 112")[158](../../158/ "tree and pragmatics") Washington, D.C., is divided into [four quadrants](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadrants_of_Washington,_D.C.) of unequal area: [Northwest (NW)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwest_%28Washington,_D.C.%29), [Northeast (NE)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northeast_%28Washington,_D.C.%29), [Southeast (SE)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeast_%28Washington,_D.C.%29), and [Southwest (SW)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southwest,_Washington,_D.C.).[159](../../159/ "tree and pragmatics") The axes bounding the quadrants radiate from the U.S. Capitol.[\[114\]](../../page/6/#ref-114 "note 114")[160](../../160/ "tree and pragmatics") All road names include the quadrant abbreviation to indicate their location.[161](../../161/ "tree and pragmatics") House numbers generally correspond with the number of blocks away from the Capitol.[162](../../162/ "tree and pragmatics") Most streets are set out in a grid pattern with east–west streets named with letters (e.g., C Street SW), north–south streets with numbers (e.g., 4th Street NW), and diagonal avenues, many of which are [named after states](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_state-named_roadways_in_Washington,_D.C.).[\[114\]](../../page/6/#ref-114 "note 114")[163](../../163/ "tree and pragmatics") The City of Washington was bordered on the north by Boundary Street (renamed [Florida Avenue](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_Avenue) in 1890), [Rock Creek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Creek_%28Potomac_River_tributary%29) to the west, and the [Anacostia River](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anacostia_River) to the east.[\[47\]](../../page/6/#ref-47 "note 47")[\[109\]](../../page/6/#ref-109 "note 109")[164](../../164/ "tree and pragmatics") Washington, D.C.'s street grid was extended, where possible, throughout the district starting in 1888.[\[115\]](../../page/6/#ref-115 "note 115")[165](../../165/ "tree and pragmatics") [Georgetown's streets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgetown_street_renaming) were renamed in 1895.[\[48\]](../../page/6/#ref-48 "note 48")[166](../../166/ "tree and pragmatics") Some streets are particularly noteworthy, including [Pennsylvania Avenue](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania_Avenue_%28Washington,_D.C.%29), which connects the [White House](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_House) to the Capitol; and K Street, which houses the offices of many lobbying groups.[\[116\]](../../page/6/#ref-116 "note 116")[167](../../167/ "tree and pragmatics") [Constitution Avenue](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_Avenue) and [Independence Avenue](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Avenue_%28Washington,_D.C.%29), located on the north and south sides of National Mall, respectively, are home to many of Washington's iconic museums, including many [Smithsonian Institution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smithsonian_Institution) buildings and the [National Archives Building](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Archives_Building).[168](../../168/ "tree and pragmatics") Washington hosts 177 [foreign embassies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_diplomatic_missions_in_Washington,_D.C.); these maintain nearly 300 buildings and more than 1,600 residential properties, many of which are on a section of [Massachusetts Avenue](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts_Avenue_%28Washington,_D.C.%29) informally known as [Embassy Row](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embassy_Row).[\[117\]](../../page/6/#ref-117 "note 117")[169](../../169/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Architecture Main article: [Architecture of Washington, D.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_of_Washington,_D.C.), [List of tallest buildings in the Washington metropolitan area](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tallest_buildings_in_the_Washington_metropolitan_area) The architecture of Washington, D.C., varies greatly and is generally popular among tourists and locals.[170](../../170/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2007, six of the top ten buildings in the [American Institute of Architects](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Institute_of_Architects)' ranking of [America's Favorite Architecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America%27s_Favorite_Architecture) were in the city:[\[118\]](../../page/6/#ref-118 "note 118") the [White House](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_House), [Washington National Cathedral](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_National_Cathedral), the [Jefferson Memorial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_Memorial), the [United States Capitol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Capitol), the [Lincoln Memorial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Memorial), and the [Vietnam Veterans Memorial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_Veterans_Memorial).[171](../../171/ "tree and pragmatics") The [neoclassical](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoclassical_architecture), [Georgian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgian_architecture), [Gothic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_architecture), and [Modern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_architecture) styles are reflected among these six structures and many other prominent edifices in the city.[172](../../172/ "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Washington,_D.C./) **2** [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Washington,_D.C./page/3/) [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Washington,_D.C./page/4/) [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Washington,_D.C./page/5/) [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Washington,_D.C./page/6/) - ← previous: [page 1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Washington,_D.C./) - next →: [page 3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Washington,_D.C./page/3/) - ↑ back to [English Wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/)