WASHINGTON
Area: Cities
Country: United States of America


Location:
Close to (and almost halfway down) the E coast of the United States, the artificial "city state" of the District of Columbia is bounded by Maryland State on 3 sides and by Virginia State S of the Potomac River. Ronald Reagan National Airport is just 3 mls S, in Virginia State; Dulles International Airport is 26 mls W. BWI (Baltimore Washington International Airport) is 30 mls NE.

Telephone code from UK:
1 202

Website:
http://www.washington.org

Position:
Occupying gently undulating terrain E of the Potomac River.

Description:
Measuring roughly 8 mls by 8, the District of Columbia is every inch a capital city, with classically inspired monuments and government buildings. The Mall, a great grassy strip with the Washington Monument at one end and the Capitol at the other, is one of the most memorable sights in America. Since no building may be taller than the Capitol, Washington is a low-rise city with a spacious feeling unknown in New York or Chicago. Visitors can get into the White House and see the Senate and Supreme Court in action, just by queuing. But Washington isn't just a city of monuments and government buildings; it boasts one of the greatest concentrations of museums in the world (most of them free). The city also has a reputation as being rather dangerous, but this is somewhat misleading, as the problems are limited largely to neighbourhoods well away from the areas frequented by tourists. As with any large city, however, exercise the usual precautions of not walking alone after dark, avoiding dark streets and not leaving valuables in your car.

Suitability:
Anyone wishing to visit a centre of power, history and culture. People from all over the world, of all ages, gather here. Business visitors of all nationalities are found concentrated within the large conference hotels. Best time is spring or autumn.

Accommodation:
Owing to the large number of families and long-staying visitors, DC has numerous apartment or suite hotels with kitchenettes. These are clean, comfortable and good value for money. Other accommodations range from the most luxurious and fully equipped hotels to inexpensive B&Bs on the outskirts.

Shopping:
Stylish malls are found in the suburbs and are about as good (and about as expensive) as in any great city. Many of the country's best stores have branches here; Tysons Corner, Virginia, and Chevy Chase, Maryland, are two of the most upmarket areas. Perhaps the best choices in DC itself can be found at Georgetown Park and Connecticut Avenue. Options in Downtown are limited, although Union Station is well worth a visit, if only for the architecture.

Beach:
The nearby Delmarva Peninsula (a word combining Delaware, Maryland and Virginia) has some of the best beaches in the country. Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic coast provide popular areas in summer for sunbathing, swimming and sailing.

Entertainments:
Daytime: a limitless choice of world-class museums and sights, including the impressive, vast Smithsonian Institution (which encompasses over a dozen museums and galleries, such as the National Museum of American History, National Air and Space Museum and National Museum of Natural History); the White House; the US Capitol; and the National Zoo. The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is one of the largest Roman Catholic churches in the world. Nightlife: John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts houses the American Film Institute, the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington Opera. Across town the National Theater offers Broadway-quality productions, and many smaller theatres provide experimental plays. The Washington Ballet; several other dance companies and troupes. Comedy clubs and jazz clubs abound in areas such as historic Georgetown and the funky Adams Morgan district. A handful of trendy discos; folk, bluegrass, rock and blues.

Eating:
A world-class restaurant city, although the major choice is found outside Downtown. Besides fine dining in some of the country's best restaurants, ethnic eateries from Ethiopian to Central American are scattered throughout, with the highest concentration in the district of Adams-Morgan. Nearby Chesapeake Bay is noted for its seafood.

Public-transport:
Easy to get around; taxis are abundant but do not use meters, buses run frequently, and the underground system is one of the world's safest and most efficient. Union Station is one of the most stunning train terminals in the world and offers outstanding shopping and international fast food as well as transport.

Local-excursions:
Civil War battlefields; Mt Vernon (George Washington's home); green and rolling Maryland and Virginia countryside dotted with charming villages. Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia. Annapolis, home of the US Navy, and capital of Maryland. Baltimore, Maryland, revitalised in the late 1970s and early 1980s, offers a concentration of shopping and restaurants at Inner Harbor; Little Italy and its restaurants; Camden Yards, a baseball stadium.