WASHINGTON, D.C. - Capital of the United States; center of both national and world politics and of the free world. This page is dedicated to the District of Columbia (named after Christopher Columbus) as well as the National Capital Region which covers Northern Virginia, the Maryland suburbs (stretching to Baltimore), and Delaware. The District of Columbia covers 68 sq. mi. and is home to 572,059 people (2000 Census) of which 60% are Africa-American, 30% are White and the rest a mixture of Hispanics, Asians, and others. The National Capital Region which encompasses the Greater Washington, DC Metropolitan Region (including Baltimore) is home to more than 7.7 million people, making DC the 4th most-populated Metropolitan Area in the United States.

Washington, D.C., located along the Potomac River, was chosen as the permanent site for the capital of the United States by Congress in 1790. It was President George Washington, however, who was given the power by Congress to choose the exact site - an area ten-miles square, made up of land given by Virginia and Maryland. In 1846, the city of Alexandria and Alexandria County were ceded back to Virginia.

It is hard to believe when looking along the elegant National Mall, framed by stately buildings, that the land on which Washington, DC was built was originally marshy swamp. Chosen by George Washington because of its strategic location between the South and the North and its accessibility to the sea along the Potomac River, it also avoided the problem of establishing the capital city in any one state. Originally designed by the French architect Pierre L'Enfant in 1791, Washington, DC is a city of green parks, wide tree-lined streets and very few skyscrapers, all of which give it an European air. It is a city of grand buildings, such as the White House and the US Capitol, and impressive monuments, such as the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial - very much a purpose-built capital.

Congress and the second President, John Adams, moved to Washington, DC only in 1800. It was another six decades before it began to look like a capital city and in the meantime it was considered a hardship posting by foreign ambassadors. Now, it is the place to be - the political center stage. As the capital of the most powerful nation in the world, Washington, DC is always in the international spotlight. Occasionally this attention is not welcome - during times of political scandal, such as the Watergate affair, the imprisonment of Mayor Marion Barry for drug offences and the Monica Lewinsky affair. Most recently, the world watched Washington struggle through the 2000 presidential elections.

Washington, DC (Washington to visitors and DC or the District to locals) is divided into four quadrants - northwest (NW), northeast (NE), southeast (SE) and southwest (SW). It is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own diverse culture. Capitol Hill, beyond the Capitol, is a blend of government buildings, townhouses and specialty shops and restaurants. Foggy Bottom, also home to several government buildings, is now a charming, quiet neighborhood. Perhaps the most famous is Georgetown, a historic district with elegant townhouses, home to many influential residents, as well as chic restaurants and shops. One of the most colorful neighborhoods is Adams Morgan, with an eclectic mix of international restaurants, ethnic stores and late-night entertainment.

Washington’s principle industry has always been government. More than 359,000 people living in the metropolitan area are on the federal payroll. Even though politics plays a major role in DC, don’t be surprised to find life exactly as you would anywhere else in the country.

Tourism is the capital's primary industry after the federal government and over 20 million visitors arrive each year, mainly in the summer when it is very hot and humid, in comparison to the winter when it can be bitterly cold and wet. They are drawn by the wealth of impressive monuments and museums, many of which have free entry. Other important industries located here include trade associations, law, higher education and publishing. The city is also the headquarters for the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

However, Washington, DC has a downside that visitors to the capital rarely see. as they tour the safe downtown area with its open spaces, museums and landmarks. Apparently wealthy on the surface, the city has one of the highest crime rates in America, high levels of unemployment, illiteracy and drug abuse. The percentage of DC residents below the poverty line and on public assistance has increased to around 30%. All of this has driven middle-class families out of the city center into the suburbs and neighboring states.

Despite the city's problems, the power and the politics are a heady mix, making Washington, DC one of the most visited destinations in the country. So much American history is crammed into the city with its wealth of monuments, public buildings, museums and memorials to past heroes that visitors cannot fail to be impressed.

POLITICAL LINKS @ kiat.net

• congress.html

This link has information about the United States Congress. Names of each State Senator and his/her party affiliation and year elected. Statistics from the past and future senate elections including incumbents re-elected and Democratic/GOP gains are also included. Also, breakdown by party affiliation for each state's Representatives to the United States House of Representatives. In addition, details about which party was in control of the Senate and House of Representatives (plus breakdown of Senators and Representatives by party affiliation) of each United States Congress since 1933 is included.

• states.html

Get information on State Governors and Lieutenant Governors including party affiliation, website link, year elected, term limits, timing of state general/gubernatorial elections, etc. Also, information about each State's Legislature including legislature website links, state party links, state Senate and House links, state Senate and House makeup by party affiliation, timing of state Senate and House general elections, etc. A wealth of state-related political information!

• president.html

Who are the Presidents of the United States of America since Independence? How many Electors does each state have and will have (1960-2004)? How did each State vote in the 1960-2004 Presidential Elections? How will the 108th Congress be re-apportioned after the 22nd Decennial (2000) Census? Also, a brief article on Gore's concession to Bush in the controversial 2000 Presidential Elections PLUS text of Vice President Al Gore's concession speech (Dec 13, 2000).

• metro.html

United States Metropolitan Areas ranked based on Census 2000 population (> 1mn only). The 50 States and the District of Columbia listed in alphabetical order together with information about capital, land area and population including ranking in each category amongst all states. Plus, population recorded in each decennial census for the 50 States and the District of Columbia from 1920 to 2000.