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- Destinations
- North America
- United States of America
- Washington DC
Washington DC
Europeans first arrived along the Potomac River in the 16th
century and the area quickly became prosperous; tobacco brought
vast wealth to the gentleman planters, and the abundance of slaves
gave them ample time for leisure. After the revolutionary war
Congress had to decide on the location of a new 'Federal Town'. The
10 square miles (26 sq km) between Maryland and Virginia, which is
now the District of Columbia, was finally selected for its
strategic location between North and South.
French architect, Pierre L'Enfant, was chosen to plan the town,
and as he pegged out streets 150 feet (46m) wide, and one grand
avenue 400 feet (122m) wide and a mile long, the local landowners
thought he'd gone mad - he was throwing away valuable land that
could be used for farming! It was to take 50 years before
Washington, DC (District of Columbia) took on the air and
appearance of a capital city.
Today, Washington, DC with its low-profile skyline is a city of
green parks and open spaces, grand buildings, historic landmarks,
marbled monuments and impressive museums, with character-filled
neighbourhoods that support a thriving cultural scene.
This thriving cosmopolitan city is an international hub of power
and diplomacy, commanding the political centre stage for the
world's most powerful nation, and representing all the democratic
ideals that the country takes pride in. Washington, DC was one of
the targets of the terrorist attack on the USA on 11 September
2001, when a hijacked plane crashed into the Pentagon, the heart of
national and international security. Since then security has
remained high around Washington's key monuments and police checks
at top city attractions have lent a sober air to this pleasant
city.
After politics, tourism is the capital's main industry. The city
plays host to millions of people annually who come to explore
famous sights such as the domed US Capitol, the stately White
House, Lincoln Memorial and the soaring Washington Monument. The
most well-known sights are located along the National Mall, a green
park stretching from the US Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial on the
Potomac River, and include several memorials to great US presidents
of the past, as well as the outstanding museums of the Smithsonian
Institute. Almost all major attractions are free.
Besides political sights, Washington is also a city of
interesting neighbourhoods, each with its own character and
culture. The most celebrated of these is historic Georgetown, with
elegant colonial houses, boutiques, fancy restaurants, and a lively
nightlife. One of the most colourful neighbourhoods is the bohemian
district of Adams-Morgan with an assortment of funky shops and
ethnic stores, while the arty suburb of Dupont Circle is an
affluent business and residential area, with excellent restaurants,
art galleries and shops that makes up the centre of DC's gay
community.
Information & Facts
Climate
The climate in the district tends to be moderate, and the
nation's capital experiences the four seasons (spring, summer,
autumn, winter). Summers are usually hot and humid, while winters
are chilly and damp. The hottest times of year are usually July and
August, with temperatures ranging from about 86°F to 93°F (30°C to
32°C) and thunderstorms are common due to the combined heat and
humidity. Winters can be very cold, often with snowstorms, and
temperatures in December to February range from about 39°F to 21°F
(4°C to -6°C). Spring and autumn are the mildest times of year,
with temperatures in April and October averaging 68°F (20°C) and
spring is usually the best time to travel to Washington DC, when
temperatures are mild and humidity is low.
Language
English is the most common language but Spanish is often
spoken in south-western states.
Money
The US Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency and is divided into
100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are
widespread and credit cards and travellers cheques are widely
accepted. Travellers cheques should be taken in US Dollars to avoid
hassles. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.
Time
GMT -5 (GMT -4 from March to November).