Washington, D.C. – America´s Federal City

Centre of power

George Washington, the first president of the USA, announced in 1791 where the new capital city would be built: a small area of land that would not be a part of any state. This federal land on the banks of the Potomac River would be called the District of Columbia, and would contain the city of Washington.

The new capital's architect, French immigrant Pierre L'Enfant, placed the Capitol, the building which would house Congress, at the centre, on top of a hill. From there, four grand avenues would radiate. The president's house would be connected to the Capitol by a mile-long avenue.

Washington, D.C., is one of few capitals that were actually designed as such. And the geography and plan of the city have given names to some of the most important centres of power.

English G 2000 A 6, Cornelsen Verlag, Berlin, 2002, page 61