Washington Introduction

City Introduction

Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as "Washington", "the District", or simply "D.C.", is the capital of the United States.The signing of the Residence Act on July 16, 1790, approved the creation of a capital district located along the Potomac River on the country's East Coast. The U.S. Constitution provided for a federal district under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Congress and the District is therefore not a part of any state. The states of Maryland and Virginia each donated land to form the federal district, which included the pre-existing settlements of Georgetown and Alexandria. Named in honor of President George Washington, the City of Washington was founded in 1791 to serve as the new national capital. In 1846, Congress returned the land originally ceded by Virginia; in 1871, it created a single municipal government for the remaining portion of the District.

Historical Culture

After the establishment of the United States, there was a dispute in the position of the capital. The north wanted to set capital in New York, whereas the south wished for the opposite. Eventually, the two sides made a compromise and agreed to build a new city in between as the capital, which was later named as Washington D.C. The construction of the White House began on October, 1792.

During the war of 1812, the English army occupied Washington, the American army failed in defense organizations and fled after setting a fire in the navy yard. The English army burned downed the America's Congress, the White House, the Treasury and other buildings. After 1846, land on the south of Potomac River was returned to Virginia, the river later became the boundary between Virginia and Washington D.C. In 1976, the Washington metro opened.

Natural Environment

Washington D.C. is located at northeast of America, near to Virginia state and Maryland state. It covers an area of 177 square kilometers, among which, 10% of it is water. Washington D.C. is connected with Virginia on southwest, boundary between the two is on the south land the Potomac River, the other three sides of Washington D.C. are linked with Maryland state, the highest point above sea level is located in Tenleytown with 125 meters.

Climate

Washington D.C. is located in the humid subtropical climate zone and exhibits four distinct seasons, with relatively gentle temperature change and evenly distributed precipitation. Winter is cool and cold, summer is hot a humid. Average temperature of the coldest month (January) is 2.2℃, and the hottest month (July) is 26.6℃. Yearly precipitation is around 1008mm; snowfall is around 39.6cm which is subject to change by year.

Holidays Arrangements

New Year's Day Jan.1st

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day The third Monday of Jan.

Washington's Birthday The third Monday of Feb.

Memorial Day The last Monday of May

Independence Day July 4th

Labor Day The first Monday of Sep.

Columbus Day The second Monday of Oct.

Veterans Day Nov.11th

Thanksgiving Day The last Thursday of Nov.

Christmas Dec.25th