what is the capital of the united states?
The capital of the United States is Washington, D.C. (officially the District of Columbia, often just called “D.C.” or “Washington”).
Official name and status
Washington, D.C. is the capital city and federal district of the United States, not part of any state. It was created by the U.S. Constitution as a separate federal district so that the national government would have its own seat of power, independent of any single state.
Why it’s the capital
In 1790, Congress passed the Residence Act, which chose a site along the Potomac River to become the permanent national capital. The city was named after George Washington, the first U.S. president, and the district was named for Columbia, a poetic name for the United States.
Washington, D.C. officially became the federal capital in 1800, when Congress moved there from temporary capitals like New York City and Philadelphia.
Where it’s located
Washington, D.C. sits on the Potomac River in the Mid-Atlantic region, bordered by the state of Maryland on three sides and Virginia on the fourth (across the river). It’s a relatively small city in area (about 68 square miles) but is the political, cultural, and diplomatic center of the country.
Key government buildings there
As the capital, Washington, D.C. is home to:
- The White House (residence and office of the U.S. President)
- The U.S. Capitol (meeting place of Congress: House and Senate)
- The Supreme Court building (highest court in the land)
- Hundreds of federal agencies, embassies, and major national monuments (like the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument)
Common nicknames
People often refer to the capital in different ways, all meaning the same place:
- Washington, D.C.
- Washington
- D.C.
- The District (short for District of Columbia)
So, in short: the capital of the United States is Washington, District of Columbia (D.C.).
