Things to do / Travel Guide
Washington DC is home to Americans of all stripes. With about 60% of the population being African American and around 30% being Caucasian, the city is also home to some smaller communities such as Latin Americans (8%) and Asian Americans (3%). More than a quarter of the district's residents are employees of the federal government.
The government's growth over past decades has fueled construction around the city and in the surrounding areas. Every working day DC's population increases by more than 70%, as over 400,000 people arrive for work, a per-day statistic for the U.S. which is second only to New York City.
With a large percentage of the city's residents being employees of the federal government, much of the city's neighborhoods are inhabited by middle- to upper-class working types with higher education. As home to many up-and-coming and ambitious government workers, the city has a competitive, yet fun, feeling of success about it. A large college town, walking through DC you will be sure to spot many students.
Maintaining a healthy university scene, and abreast of the knowledge that the millions of tourists who arrive in DC are looking for ways to relax, the city has no shortage of fun and entertaining activities. Bars and clubs around the city are often filled into the wee hours of the morning, both with travelers looking to take part in the reverie of one of the best travel destinations in the U.S., as well as with local workers looking to take the edge off a long day at the office.
As the nation's capital and as one of the world's biggest news hotspots, the city boasts a large collection of foreigners, including thousands of diplomats, embassy staffers, and journalists. These people all contribute to DC's unique international flavor, which gels nicely with an inescapable sense of Americana that can be felt everywhere you go in the city.
Heavily dependent on tourism as an income source, DC is one of the most “tourist friendly” locales in the United States. Street corners around the city abound with souvenir stands and vendors hawking the latest fads proudly emblazoned with the words “Washington DC.” The locals appreciate the centrality of their city in American culture and warmly welcome the millions of tourists who arrive each year.
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