Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. is the capital city of the United States. It is where the president of America lives and works. The letters D.C. stand for District of Columbia. Washington, D.C. is not part of any state. It sits between the states of Maryland and Virginia.

Government Buildings

Washington, D.C. is home to the most important buildings in the country. The president lives in the White House. Congress meets in the Capitol Building to make laws. The Supreme Court also has its home in the city. Many people visit these buildings on school trips every year.

Museums and Monuments

The city has lots of free museums called the Smithsonian. Kids can see dinosaur bones, old airplanes, and space rockets. The Washington Monument is a tall stone tower that honors the first president. The Lincoln Memorial has a huge statue of President Abraham Lincoln. Many monuments honor people who helped shape America.

Fun Facts

• Washington, D.C. was named after George Washington, the first U.S. president.
• The White House has 132 rooms.
• The Washington Monument is the tallest stone structure in the world.

Did You Know?

Washington, D.C. is shaped like a diamond and was planned out before it was built, making it one of the first planned capital cities.