• It’s national capital of the USA, situated on the Potomac river ( 90 km from the Atlantic ocean ), seat of general government of US,
• The city’s area was originally taken from states Maryland and Virginia
• 180 sq. km, population 623,000 ( metropolitan area 3,750,000 ), 70 % black and 30% white
History
• 1790 – Act of Congress = was established the District of Columbia, the site for capital was chosen by President Washington ( his private seat 16 miles away – Mount Vernon )
• designed by French engineer Pierre L`Enfant ( his vision was always respected later )
• the city was divided into 4 quadrants ( NW, SW, NE, SE, Capitol as the center )
• 1800 – first used as the seat of Congress
• 1910 – the Height Buildings Act = no building could exceed 15 stories => horizontal and spacious city
• 1960s and 1970s – began a protection of historical building ( better repairing than demolishing )
• 1976 - the Metrotrail began to go
Industry and commerce
• Washington never been a major port ( the Potomac river is too shallow )
• Principal industry has always been government ( 360,000 people work in the federally owned buildings ( 40 % of the city’s land )
• National and international organizations
• 150 embassies and consulates
• the World bank
• the International monetary fund ( MMF )
• Organization of American States
• Lobbyists = people, who persuade legislators to support laws helpful to their clients` interests
• Press – The Washington post, The USA today, National geographic, International Wildlife …
• Tourism - 20 million visitors come each years
Transport
• 3 airports
• Washington national airport
• Dulles international airport
• Baltimore - Washington international airport
• Railroad station – Union station
• Bus service
• Greyhoun-trailways ( for long distance )
• Metrobus ( city buses )
• Turnmobile (provides a shuttle service = connects two places for a whole day )
• Metro – five colored lines ( red, blue, orange, green, yellow ), operates on farecard
• Taxi – 3 kinds ( Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC (are the cheapest ))
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