Washington, D.C., the U.S. capital, is a town bursting at the seams with history, politics and — let’s not deny it — a good dose of activism. But it’s not just a seat of political power — this city is also a center of history, home to those who are writing our nation’s story and an appealing destination for people from all over the world.
THE HISTORY OF WASHINGTON D.C.
The history of Washington itself would be incomplete if we did not pay our respects to HBCUs The story of D.C. began in the late 1700s. The United States had achieved independence after the American Revolutionary War, and needed a capital to serve as the seat of government. In 1790, Congress passed the Residence Act, creating a federal district on the Potomac River. The site was selected by President George Washington, and the city is named for him.
Washington — which was designed by the French architect Pierre Charles L’Enfant — had been conceived as a grand city with broad avenues, circles and open spaces. From the beginning, it was intended to be a symbol of the new nation’s ideals. The city grew over time, periods of growth and war and renewal, recovering after the British burned parts of it to the ground in 1814 during the War of 1812.
WASHINGTON — The nation’s capital is all about history — from presidential inaugurations down Pennsylvania Avenue to where it happened at towering monuments to our leaders, events and ideals. Today’s structure remains as a monument to the country’s unyielding spirit of democracy.
POPULATION AND LANGUAGE
As you know, the people here in Washington come from a wide variety of backgrounds and they are always moving around. Current counts allege a few hundred thousand living in the city. 6 million metro residents in Maryland, Virginia), it’s one of the country’s largest urban populations The city has a well-earned reputation for its cultural and ethnic diversity. It is home to people of every nationality and race, but the largest populations are African American and Latino, as well as smaller Asian and international communities. This melting pot in turn is what produces Washington’s cultural and ethnic diversity, and ultimately its neighborhoods. The main spoken language in Washington, D.C is English, however with the city’s diversity come many other languages that are spoken there on a daily basis including Spanish, French and Chinese.You can even have Amharic speaking colleagues depending on where you live. This multilingual context is here presented as part of the city’s global being and doing.
CURRENCY AND ELECTRICAL CURRENT
Currency: As with the rest of United States, Washington currency is in USD. Dollars are king, from a corner store to the swankiest hotel.
Electricity As for electricity, Washington D.C. adheres to the North American norm of 120 volts at 60 hertz (Hz). This is something travelers may need to be aware of, as electronics from places with other voltages or in differently shaped plugs could require adapter plugs and transformers.
CLIMATE
Climate Washington has a humid subtropical climate with extremely hot, very humid summers and cool to mild winters. Summers can be quite humid with temperatures in the 85°F (29°C) range and higher; urban areas retain heat that can push nightly lows into the upper 70s °F (24-26°C). Winters are brief but cold, with lows around, or below, freezing.
Spring and fall are lovely times to visit as the temperatures remain inviting and the natural beauty is stunning—spring’s cherry blossoms, which attract thousands from around the world to witness their famous pink and white buds around the Tidal Basin, are particularly renowned.
And there’s a lot of rain in between all those rainy seasons, which is why this city has green parks and tree-lined streets. In the winter, yes, there is snow in the city, but not to the same extent as most cities in the north of the United States.
TYPICAL FOOD
Flavors and plates aplenty There are many flavors and plates on offer in the nation’s capital, which has a food scene that reflects its cultural diversity. Classic American foods are plentiful, but imported influences are numerous from the city’s immigrant enclaves.
One long-time favorite in the Washington area is the half-smoke — a spicy sausage usually served on a bun with mustard, onions and chili sauce. It’s a local favorite, particularly on street carts and in casual eateries.
The city sits near the Chesapeake Bay, so seafood is abundant and crab cakes are a specialty. Going outBut crab cakes are nothing more than a crab burger that is given a deep fry (or, if we were using them at the table) a baking and can be paired with Feed me Seymour sauces.
And given the multi-cultural character of the area, you can also stumble on tasty Ethiopian, Salvadoran, Vietnamese and Medditeranian dishes tucked into corners of the city. There are hip eateries and food markets around every corner, alongside old-school diners — one never has to accept eating out as mundane.
TRANSPORTATION
DC is very ‘public transportation’ friendly and everyone gets around easily in the city. The Metro The quick and essential rail system linking the city center to other neighborhoods and suburbs in six color-coded lines. It’s a good way to get yourself to some of the most famous spots in NYC, as well as neighborhoods — and even to airports.
In addition to the metro, there is also an extensive bus service that covers almost every square inch of the district and then some.
And for those who don’t want to ride public transit, Uber and Lyft are widely available. Biking is also big here, and the abundance of bicycle lanes and bike-share programs make it easy for locals and visitors to explore many of the city’s scenic byways and parks on two wheels.
Washington remains a walking city, and it is best seen on foot, particularly in and around the National Mall, downtown and historic areas like Georgetown.
SAFETY
As in all big cities, security can vary by neighborhood and time of day both. The city has worked for decades to make police service better, and many neighborhoods that used to be rampant with crime now have very little. To be sure, most tourist sites in and around Washington are safe, with a strong police presence.
Travellers should exercise normal safety precautions such as walking in well-lit areas at night and remaining vigilant of their surroundings when protecting themselves against petty crime. Certain neighborhoods are more crime-infested than others, so check out those and plan accordingly.
“All and all, there are millions of people who live, work, visit Washington every year with relatively few serious incidents,” he added, citing the police presence and community outreach programs.
MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Our nation’s capital — With numerous monuments and cultural attractions, Washington D.C. is one of the top sight-seeing cities in the world.
The National Mall: Often called “America’s front yard,” this enormous swathe of grass stretches from the Capitol Building to the Lincoln Memorial. It is where many monuments, memorials and museums are located, including the Washington Monument, World War II Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Smithsonian Museums: There are a number of Smithsonian Institution museums located on the National Mall which admission is free. (the must-see National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of American History, and kid-friendly National Museum of Natural History).
THE U.S. CAPITOL AND THE WHITE HOUSE Visitor and tour information: These American icon seats of government both offer tours, but were a must-stop for any fan of politics and history even if you don’t go inside.
Georgetown Charming historic neighborhood of cobblestone streets, high-end shops and restaurants, water views. Best for strolling and dining.
The National Zoo: A component of the Smithsonian, this zoo is famous for its giant pandas and conservation efforts.
Library of Congress and Supreme Court: Architectural wonders that are also windows into the nation’s literary and legal history.
OTHER IMPORTANT ASPECTS
It’s not just a political city, it is a happening town with a strong economy that includes government jobs, education, high-tech and hospitality. The city hosts regular conferences, cultural and political events.
Education is its cornerstone, as evidenced by its prestigious centers of learning like Georgetown University, George Washington University and American University, which draw students from around the world.
And you can cheer on several professional sports teams, including the Washington Nationals (baseball), Wizards (basketball) and Capitals (hockey). That, combined with a healthy social scene makes it an ideal city for sports fanatics.
Washington has been getting greener: Sustainability is a part of many city projects, green spaces are on the rise, and new public transit investments aim to reduce carbon emissions.
Washington, D.C., which is the cross of American history and arts-and-culture and cosmopolitan urbaness. Whether you’re lured in by the city’s monumental history, dynamite dining scene or world-class museums — it doesn’t matter: The city really does offer something for everyone. Columbia River Gorge, The San Juan Islands and Olympic National Park Washington, with its rich history and vivid population, coupled with fantastically varied landscapes is a strong ‘go to’ destination – one that has long tales to tell.
