Free Vector map of the state of District of Columbia, USA, main roads with numbers, colored counties with names.

Free Vector map of the state of District of Columbia, USA, main roads with numbers, colored counties with names.
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Free Vector map of the state of District of Columbia, USA, main roads with numbers, colored counties with names.

Free Vector map of the state of District of Columbia, USA, main roads with numbers, colored counties with names.

 

The District of Columbia (D.C.), also known as Washington, D.C., is the capital of the United States. It is not a state but a federal district, established in 1790 to serve as the nation’s capital. Here’s a detailed geographic overview:


Location and Size

  • Coordinates: Located on the eastern seaboard of the United States, the District sits along the Potomac River.
  • Size: Covers an area of 68.34 square miles (177 square kilometers), of which 10.2 square miles (26.4 square kilometers) are water.
  • Boundaries:
    • Borders the states of Maryland to the north, east, and south.
    • Shares a southern boundary along the Potomac River with Virginia.

Physical Geography

  • Topography: Primarily flat, with some rolling hills:
    • Highest Point: Fort Reno Park (409 feet above sea level).
    • Lowest Point: Potomac River (sea level).
  • Water Bodies:
    • The Potomac River defines its southwestern border.
    • The Anacostia River flows through the city’s eastern side.
    • The Rock Creek cuts through the western portions, creating a wooded valley.

Administrative Structure

The District is a single entity with no divisions into counties or townships. It does not have “cities” in the traditional sense but is instead organized into neighborhoods and wards.

Key Areas:

  1. Downtown Washington, D.C.:
    • Includes the National Mall, government buildings, museums, and memorials.
  2. Georgetown:
    • Historic neighborhood known for cobblestone streets, shopping, and Georgetown University.
  3. Capitol Hill:
    • Home to the U.S. Capitol, Library of Congress, and Supreme Court.
  4. Dupont Circle:
    • Vibrant area with restaurants, embassies, and cultural venues.
  5. Anacostia:
    • Historic neighborhood southeast of the Anacostia River.
  6. Adams Morgan:
    • Known for nightlife and diverse food options.

Neighboring Urban Areas

Although the District itself has no additional “cities,” it is part of the broader Washington metropolitan area:

  • Arlington, Virginia: Directly across the Potomac River; home to the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery.
  • Alexandria, Virginia: Historic city south of Arlington.
  • Silver Spring, Maryland: Major suburb to the north with business and cultural attractions.
  • Bethesda, Maryland: Known for its affluence and proximity to federal institutions like NIH.

Major Roads and Infrastructure

  1. Radial Layout:
    • The city was designed by Pierre L’Enfant in a grid system interspersed with diagonal avenues, centered around the Capitol.
  2. Major Streets and Avenues:
    • Pennsylvania Avenue: Connects the Capitol and the White House.
    • Constitution Avenue: Borders the National Mall.
    • Massachusetts Avenue: Hosts embassies (Embassy Row).
    • 16th Street NW: Runs directly north-south and is a central axis.
  3. Bridges:
    • Key Bridge, 14th Street Bridge, and Woodrow Wilson Bridge connect D.C. to Virginia.
  4. Metro System: The Washington Metro serves the District and surrounding suburbs.

Notable Landmarks and Attractions

  • Government Buildings:
    • White House, U.S. Capitol, and Supreme Court.
  • Cultural Institutions:
    • Smithsonian Museums, National Gallery of Art.
  • Monuments and Memorials:
    • Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial.

Washington, D.C., while not having “main cities,” is itself a compact yet globally influential urban hub, surrounded by thriving suburban areas in Maryland and Virginia.

Author: Kirill Shrayber, Ph.D.

I have been working with vector cartography for over 25 years, including GPS, GIS, Adobe Illustrator and other professional cartographic software.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirill-shrayber-0b839325/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vectormapper

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