What is the capital of the United States?

Why This Matters

The capital of the United States is Washington, D.C. This is where the President lives and works, where Congress meets to make laws, and where the Supreme Court decides the most important legal cases in the country. Washington, D.C. is not part of any state. The letters D.C. stand for "District of Columbia," and it exists as a special federal district so that the national government would not be located inside any single state.

The city was founded in 1790 and was named after George Washington, the first President of the United States. Before Washington, D.C. became the capital, the government met in several different cities, including New York and Philadelphia. The location was chosen as a compromise between northern and southern states, placing it along the Potomac River between Maryland and Virginia.

Washington, D.C. is home to many of the most important buildings and monuments in American history. The White House is where the President lives. The U.S. Capitol building is where the Senate and the House of Representatives meet. The Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the National Mall are visited by millions of people every year. The Smithsonian museums offer free admission and cover everything from American history to air and space exploration. Knowing the capital is one of the most basic facts about the country, and it is a question that almost always appears on the citizenship test.

Key Facts

• The capital of the United States is Washington, D.C.
• D.C. stands for District of Columbia, it is not part of any state
• The city was named after George Washington, the first President
• The White House, the Capitol, and the Supreme Court are all located in Washington, D.C.
• Washington, D.C. has a population of about 700,000 people but has no voting representatives in Congress

Common Mistakes

• Saying "Washington" without adding "D.C.", Washington State is a completely different place on the West Coast
• Saying "New York", while New York was once a temporary capital, it has not been the capital since 1790
• Confusing the capital city with the largest city, New York City is the largest city, but Washington, D.C. is the capital

Study Tip

Always say the full name: "Washington, D.C." This avoids any confusion with Washington State. If you have trouble remembering, think of it this way: the capital is where the President lives, and the first President was Washington, so the capital is named after him. Washington, D.C., say it three times and it will stick.