District of Columbia
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Washington
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The District of Columbia is
usually written and referred to as DC.
It is part of the United States of America but
it is not a state.
Residents may vote for the President,
but do not have elected representatives in Congress.
Article One of the United States Constitution provides for
the permanent establishment of a
federal district, separate from the individual states,
to serve as the location for the federal administration.
The land for the District of Columbia was
originally donated to the federal government by the states of Virginia and Maryland in 1790.
Congress met there for the first time on Nov 17 1800.
The District of Columbia
officially became the nation's capital on Dec 1 1800.
On May 3 1802, the city of Washington was incorporated,
with an elected council and a mayor appointed by the president
of the United States.
All 3 branches of the United States
federal government are located in
Washington, DC.
An Act of Congress in 1871 created a single government for the
entire federal territory, effectively merging Washington and the
District of Columbia into a single entity.
In 1992, the US House of Representatives
passed a measure approving statehood for the District,
but the Senate did not approve it.
The District of Columbia
has almost 600 thousand residents, but is
only part of the Washington Metropolitan Area,
which has over 5 million people.
If DC were a state,
it would be the smallest
in the country, and would have the highest population density.
The total land area is just over 61 mi² (159 km²).
WEATHER
The weather in the District of Columbia is
characterized by cool, damp winters and hot, humid summers.
Spring and fall are mild, with low humidity.
The climate is considered humid sub~tropical.
Temperatures range from 35 ° F (2 ° C) in January to 80 ° F (27 ° C) in July.
The lowest temperature ever recorded is –15 ° F (–26 ° C),
the all~time high is 106 ° F (41 ° C).
Average annual precipitation is 39 in (100 cm).
Snowfall averages 17 in (43 cm) per year.
Heat and humidity in the summer produce very frequent thunderstorms,
and occasionally cause tornadoes.
Hurricanes sometimes hit the District in late summer and early fall,
but are usually weakened by the time they reach inland.
ECONOMY
Washington, DC, has a
diverse economy.
The percentage of professional
and business service jobs is increasing.
The federal government accounts for just over 1/4 of the jobs.
In addition, many other businesses are directly or indirectly
sustained by
the US government.
Legal firms, non~profit organizations, independent contractors,
lobbying firms, labor unions, professional associations,
catering companies, and administrative services
rely heavily on federal spending.
The District is relatively immune to the national economy
because the federal government continues operations even during
economic recessions.
The benefits of a stable economy, however, are not evenly distributed.
DC enjoys the highest personal
income per capita in the US,
but also has the highest poverty rate.
The Washington Metropolitan Area
has an overall unemployment rate of 3.4%.
This is the lowest rate of all metro areas in the entire country.
Within the city, rates can range all the way from 1.5% to as high
as 16.3% in less affluent areas.
The District of Columbia
has seen some major growth in industries unrelated to government;
specifically in the education, finance and science sectors.
Washington is a global leader
in real estate investment.

The District of Columbia Chamber of Commerce
is the chief resource and advocate for the
Greater Washington Metropolitan Region's
business community.
The organization works toward the
expansion of economic opportunity in Washington DC, with
the ultimate vision of creating a thriving and inclusive marketplace,
a qualified and competitive workforce, and a healthy and vibrant city.
SCHOOLS
The District of Columbia Public Schools is a diverse,
urban school district serving students in the nation’s capital.
Situated at the center of national government,
their goal is to provide students a quality education that
prepares them to become future leaders, productive citizens,
and employers/employees who are assets to the community.
The District of Columbia
public school system is designed to improve and
advance student achievement.
Rigorous academic standards, challenging programs that
link classroom experience with career options,
and organizational structures that effectively support learning
are the hallmarks of a school system striving
to bring success within reach of every student.
For more details please contact the
DC Public School System.
HOSPITALITY
If you’re seeking a unique way to soak up the summer sun or take
in the fall foliage, DC has many options
for visitors looking for fun adventures
in the great outdoors.
If you wish to explore the nation's capital,
biking is one of the best ways to navigate the city of Washington.
The calm Potomac River is an ideal spot to learn to sail,
canoe, or kayak, against an
impressive backdrop of world~famous buildings.
In addition to the many monuments and memorials,
art lovers will find many museums and galleries,
full of paintings and sculptures by well~known artists
from middle ages to modern times.
Professional theatres in the Washington Metro Area produce more
than 350 shows, with over 8000 live performances every year.
Known for its power lunches, elegant state dinners,
and celebrity chefs,
DC has established a solid
international reputation as a gourmet district.
Due to an influx of eco~conscious restaurants that focus on fresh food made from
local ingredients, Washington
is considered 1 of the healthiest cities in the country.
With new restaurants joining classic steakhouses and dining hotspots,
the nation's capital city has become a favorite culinary destination.
You'll find the perfect venue for any event
in Washington, DC.
Accomodations are constantly changing and improving
to meet international demand. Historic hotels are always adding new touches of modern luxury
and high~tech amenities. The District is one of the
the most popular tourist destinations in the US.
Washington DC Accommodations is a
reservation service that pre~screens each hotel to assure that
it matches your style and meets your needs.
They personally visit each hotel,
testing the premises and services, to sensure that the atmosphere and amenities
exceed your expectations.
For more details please contact
District of Columbia Tourism.
NEWS