华盛顿特区(Washington, D.C.)

美国城市（2000年人口约572,059）与首都。范围与哥伦比亚特区相同。位於马里兰州和维吉尼亚州之间，波多马克河航段顶端，面积179平方公里。城市位址是1790年华盛顿选定的，是符合南、北各州的政治妥协。由法国工程师朗方所设计，是世界上少有的专为国家首都而规画的城市之一。1800年联邦政府迁入。1812年战争期间遭英军焚毁（1814）。1878年合并乔治城之後，城市范围便与哥伦比亚特区相同。重要建筑包括国会大厦、白宫和国会图书馆。市内有三百余处纪念堂和雕像，其中最着名的有华盛顿纪念碑、林肯纪念堂（Lincoln Memorial）、杰佛逊纪念堂（Jefferson Memorial）和越战阵亡将士纪念碑。史密生学会亦在市内，另外还有许多文化与教育机构，以及外国使馆。该市经济仰赖於全国性与国际性政治活动、科学研究和旅游。

English version：

Washington, D.C.

City (pop., 1997 est.: 529,000), capital of the U.S. It is coextensive with the District of Columbia. Situated at the navigational head of the Potomac River, between Maryland and Virginia, it has an area of 69 sq mi (179 sq km). The site was chosen by George Washington in 1790, as a political compromise that satisfied both Northern and Southern states. Designed by P.-C. L'Enfant, it is one of the few cities in the world planned expressly as a national capital. The federal government occupied it in 1800. British troops burned the city (1814) during the War of 1812. With the annexation of Georgetown in 1878, the city became coterminous with the District of Columbia. Significant buildings include the Capitol, White House, and Library of Congress. The Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, and Vietnam Veterans Memorial are among the most famous of the city's more than 300 memorials and statues. The Smithsonian Institution is in Washington, as are numerous other cultural and educational institutions, and foreign embassies. The economy is based on national and international political activities, scientific research, and tourism.