I. General Information

 

     Washington, DC is a city renowned for its broad array of museums, galleries, theaters, performing art centers, and other cultural attractions. As home to the Smithsonian Institution, Washington contains one of the largest and most comprehensive museum complexes in the world, with over 19 museums and the National Zoo. Most of the Smithsonian museums are located around the National Mall, which is also home to monuments such as the World War II Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial.

     As an international capital, Washington hosts over 130 embassies from around the world. The presence of foreign governments in turn also attracts many international agencies, such as the World Health Organization and the Organization of American States. The city is also a center of international business and finance; major financial institutions include the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

     Washington's large international community gives the city a diverse cosmopolitan flair. The federal government is the region's largest employer. In addition to the federal government, industries providing government-related services make up a huge share of the employment base.

     The District of Columbia is unique in that it has only limited powers of self-governance. Residents are allowed to elect a Mayor, a Council Chairman, 12 Council members, one non-voting member of the House of Representatives, and are allowed to cast votes for the President and Vice-President of the United States. Budget appropriations, local laws, and revenue measures are subject to the approval of the U.S. Congress. Full home authority is still an agenda item for many DC residents.

     Geographically, Washington is divided into four quadrants - Northwest (NW), Northeast (NE), Southwest (SW) and Southeast (SE) - with the Capitol at the center. North and South Capitol Streets, running through the Capitol, divide East from West. The Mall and East Capitol Street divide North from South.

     Lettered streets run East-West and start at the Mall with A Street; there are no J, X, Y or Z streets. Numbered streets run North-South and start at First Street on either side of North and South Capitol Streets. Avenues bearing state names run diagonally throughout Washington. Before setting out, check the quadrant indicator (NW, NE, SW, SE) of the address. Due to the city's grid pattern, 500 C Street, for example, can be found in four different locations, since 5th and C Streets intersect in all four quadrants.

     As you move away from the downtown area, streets follow in alphabetical order. After the street names have run through the alphabet, streets re-start the cycle through the alphabet with two-syllable names (e.g. Adams, Belmont, Chaplin), followed by streets with three syllable names (Albemarle, Brandywine, Cumberland). This pattern reaches out to the Washington-Maryland border in upper Northwest and Northeast.

     The Capital Beltway, I-495, is a circle surrounding Washington, connecting with major roadways. Generally, directions on the Beltway are given by either the Inner Loop (closest to Washington) or the Outer Loop (farthest from Washington).

     For more useful links that will help you learn about Washington DC see the Georgetown Law Library's About Washington DC page. 

 

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