Things to do / Travel Guide
The capital of the United States since 1800, the District of Columbia (Washington DC) is a showcase of American culture and history. With a seemingly endless array of sites to visit, it has become a sought-after tourist destination for travelers from across the country and around the world.
Located approximately at the midpoint along the East Coast, the Washington DC region was chosen by George Washington to be the seat of the national government both for its geographic location and for its natural beauty, seated along the banks of the Potomac River.
Home to all three branches of the federal government; executive, legislative, and judicial, DC, as the city is commonly known, features many of the iconic buildings associated with the United States, including the White House, the Capitol Building, and the Washington Monument.
With some 650,000 residents, Washington DC is a metropolitan city in every sense. The city features a highly-modernized transit system, year-round entertainment and sporting events, and hundreds of sites of historical and cultural interest. DC welcomes more than 18 million visitors each year, firmly establishing its reputation as a great city to experience for travelers of all ages.
Trailing only behind the work of the federal government, tourism is Washington's second-largest industry. Nearly 70% of travelers to DC are leisure tourists, with the remainder visiting the city for business reasons or professional conferences. The largest numbers of visitors arrive during the summer months, when many families vacation in the region.
Leisure tourists and holiday-seekers are drawn to DC all year round because of its easy access via land or air, internationally-renowned museums and galleries, and its historic and cultural importance. Many of DC's main attractions are located in close proximity to one another, allowing for days of basically uninterrupted enjoyment.
Washington DC and the surrounding region operate on Eastern Time, three hours ahead of Pacific Time.
Though the city of Washington DC has one of the higher crime rates in the U.S., the typically-frequented tourist areas of the city are kept very safe. In less-populated areas or when traveling alone, visitors to DC should exercise considerable caution. The areas to be specifically avoided are east of the U.S. Capitol. You'll very quickly notice a change in the feel of the neighborhood, and it is advisable to quickly double back in the direction of the Mall and the downtown areas. Tightly patrolled by police, and highly-trafficked, the areas west of the Capitol Building are designed to keep tourists safe.
Home to many dignitaries, politicians, and sites of national and historic significance, DC is a very security-conscious city. Travelers should take special care to obey all directions from authorities and will have to get accustomed showing a photo-ID and passing through metal detectors in many of the facilities.
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