什麼是華盛頓特區

美國城市（2000年人口約572,059）與首都。範圍與哥倫比亞特區相同。位於馬里蘭州和維吉尼亞州之間，波多馬克河航段頂端，面積179平方公里。城市位址是1790年華盛頓選定的，是符合南、北各州的政治妥協。由法國工程師朗方所設計，是世界上少有的專爲國家首都而規畫的城市之一。1800年聯邦政府遷入。1812年戰爭期間遭英軍焚燬（1814）。1878年合併喬治城之後，城市範圍便與哥倫比亞特區相同。重要建築包括國會大廈、白宮和國會圖書館。市內有三百餘處紀念堂和雕像，其中最着名的有華盛頓紀念碑、林肯紀念堂（Lincoln Memorial）、傑佛遜紀念堂（Jefferson Memorial）和越戰陣亡將士紀念碑。史密生學會亦在市內，另外還有許多文化與教育機構，以及外國使館。該市經濟仰賴於全國性與國際性政治活動、科學研究和旅遊。

Washington, D.C.

City (pop., 1997 est.: 529,000), capital of the U.S. It is coextensive with the District of Columbia. Situated at the navigational head of the Potomac River, between Maryland and Virginia, it has an area of 69 sq mi (179 sq km). The site was chosen by George Washington in 1790, as a political compromise that satisfied both Northern and Southern states. Designed by P.-C. L'Enfant, it is one of the few cities in the world planned expressly as a national capital. The federal government occupied it in 1800. British troops burned the city (1814) during the War of 1812. With the annexation of Georgetown in 1878, the city became coterminous with the District of Columbia. Significant buildings include the Capitol, White House, and Library of Congress. The Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, and Vietnam Veterans Memorial are among the most famous of the city's more than 300 memorials and statues. The Smithsonian Institution is in Washington, as are numerous other cultural and educational institutions, and foreign embassies. The economy is based on national and international political activities, scientific research, and tourism.