Washington D.C.

Washington D.C.

Washington, D.C. is the capital and only federal district of the United States. Situated on the east bank of the Potomac River, the city is named after George Washington, the Founding Father, victorious commanding general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War, and the first President of the United States, sometimes referred to as the "Father of his Country". Washington, D.C., is the southern tip of the northeastern megapolis and one of the largest and most influential cultural, political and economic regions in the country. The city is an important global political capital, home to the US federal government and many international organizations. There are 30.21 km2 of parkland in the district, which is about 19% of the total area of the city. The National Park Service controls most of the 36.92 km2 of urban land owned by the US government. The Rock Creek Park is a 7.10 km2 urban forest in Northwest Washington, which stretches for 15.0 km along the creek valley that bisects the city. The park, established in 1890, is the fourth oldest national park in the country and is habitat to a variety of flora and fauna, including raccoons, deer, owls and coyotes. After the federal government, tourism is the second largest industry in the city. It helps the city sustain a strong network of world-class museums and cultural centers, most importantly the Smithsonian Institution. Tourists will find a wide range of attractions in the city and the wider Washington region, including monuments, memorials, museums, sporting events and trails.