Washington DC

Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States.

DC Cost of Living Heat Map

Government
The District has one elected Mayor. The Mayor has the duty to enforce city laws, and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Council of the District of Columbia. In addition, the Mayor oversees all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and the public school system within the District of Columbia. The mayor's office oversees an annual city budget of $8.8 billion.

The thirteen-member Council of the District of Columbia is the legislative branch of the local government of the District of Columbia. The Council has the ability to pass local laws and ordinances. However, Congress retains the right to review and overturn laws created by the council and intervene in local affairs.

Each of the city's eight Wards elects a single member of the council and residents elect four at-large members to represent the District as a whole. The Council Chair is also elected at-large.

Historic Sites and Museums
District of Columbia City Hall

United States Capitol

White House

Smithsonian Institution Building

Library of Congress

United States Department of the Treasury

Supreme Court Building

USS Sequoia

Neighborhoods
The Mall

Downtown

Dupont Circle

Foggy Bottom

Georgetown

Columbia Heights

Southwest

Capitol Hill

Navy Yard

Anacostia

National Arboretum