In 1790 Congress chose an area donated by Maryland as the seat of their new government. Soon after construction of public buildings, including the White House and the US Capitol started. In 1800 Congress moved to the new city named after the first president George Washington.

Today Washington is more than just the political center of the United States. Thanks to the Smithsonian institution, the city contains a large number of popular museums, many of them free. Washington is also a city of memorials and monuments. The most famous of these is the 555ft tall Washington Monument

Some Washington Highlights:   (more highlights...)
Iwo Jima Memorial, Washington The Iwo Jima Memorial was modeled after a pulitzer-prize winning photograph taken on the island of Iwo Jima during WWII. The Memorial is dedicated to all marines who have given their lives in battle. More about the Iwo Jima Memorial...		Georgetown, Washington Annexed by Washington in 1871, Georgetown is one of the capital's most attractive neighborhoods, partly thanks to its historic character. More about Georgetown...