Public Servant Lifestyle

Washington, DC - 'Fast Facts' for travellers to the Capital City of the US of A.

Location

Lies midway along the eastern seaboard of the United States, about 90 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean, south of Maryland, north of Virginia and 233 miles south of New York City. Situated on the northern bank of the Potomac River. At its highest elevation (in northwest Washington), it rises 390 ft. Lowest elevation is sea level, at the riverbank.

Size

68 square miles. Carved out of land donated by the state of Maryland. Divided into four quadrants: Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast. The U.S. Capitol building marks the centre where the quadrants meet.

Founded

1791. Named after President George Washington. 'Columbia' in 'District of Columbia' refers to Christopher Columbus. Washington, the District of Columbia is not a state, nor is it part of any state. It is a unique, "Federal district" created specifically to be the seat of government.

Population

553,500 (DC only)
5.8 million (Entire Metro area, including DC)

Metro Area

The 'Washington Metropolitan Area' refers to the District of Columbia plus seven Maryland counties (Anne Arundel, Charles, Calvert, Frederick, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George's), five Virginia counties (Arlington, Fairfax, Loudon, Prince William and Stafford) and five Virginia cities (Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax City, Manassas and Manassas Park).

Climate

Generally temperate, enjoying all four seasons. Spring, early summer and fall are the most comfortable seasons, although moderate winters are not uncommon, with more rain than snow.

Industry

Washington, DC's primary industry after the federal government is tourism. Other important industries include trade associations, as Washington, DC is home to more associations than any other U.S. city; law, higher education, medicine/medical research, government-related research, publishing and international finance. Headquarters for such large corporations as Marriott International, AMTRAK, AOL Time Warner, Gannett News, Exxon Mobil, Sprint Nextel and the International Monetary Fund.

Attractions

Best known for wide array of cultural and historical attractions, and historic monuments and memorials...most all of which are free to the public, and open seven days a week. Most famous are the White House, U.S. Capitol, Library of Congress, National Archives, various Smithsonian museums, National Gallery of Art, National Zoo, Union Station, and Arlington National Cemetery. Neighbourhood areas include Georgetown, Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill, and Anacostia - all of which have a variety of attractions, restaurants, shopping and nightlife.

Sales Tax

Washington: Sales tax is 5.75%. Total hotel tax including sales tax is 14.5%. Food and beverage tax is 10%.

Maryland: Sales tax is 5%. Hotel tax varies by county with most counties averaging between 5% and 8%.

Virginia: Sales tax is 5%. Hotel tax varies by county with most counties averaging between 9.5% and 10%.

Currency Exchange: Available at all three airports, at Union Station, various downtown banks, and the downtown location of American Express Travel Agency and Union Station's Travelex.

Getting There

Airports

Served by Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), handling more than 55 million passengers each year, providing direct service from every major U.S. airport and 38 international cities.

Rail Service

The metro area's mass transportation system includes more than 450 miles of rail line. Washington, DC's METRO subway system links all parts of Washington with the nearby Virginia and Maryland suburbs. MARC commuter trains connect Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD. Virginia railway express trains connect several outlying Virginia communities with Washington, DC. AMTRAK passenger rail service is headquartered in Washington, DC and connects major cities throughout the entire region with the rest of the country.

Getting Around

The nation's capital is one of the easiest cities to navigate and a terrific city for touring - once you understand the basics. With one of the safest, cleanest and most efficient public transportation systems in the country serviced by Metrorail (subway) and Metrobus, Washington, DC's many attractions and neighbourhoods are easily accessible.

One of the best ways to experience Washington is on foot, with wonderful pockets including the inspiring monuments and museums found on the National Mall as well as the intimate museums, world-class theatres and splendid gardens, squares and circles throughout the District. There are also great guided tours of the city to get you oriented.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

Metro

Metrorail subway system and Metrobus provide the safest, cleanest and most efficient way of getting around Washington, DC and the metropolitan suburbs. Five rail lines and an extensive bus system connect the District with the Maryland and Virginia suburbs. Train lines are named for colours: Red, yellow, blue, green, and orange. Station entrances are marked by brown pylons, capped with the letter 'M' and coloured stripes indicate which lines are available.

Route maps are posted at each station and inside each subway car. Metrorail opens 5 am weekdays and 7 am on weekends. It closes at midnight Sunday to Thursday. On Friday and Saturday nights, it stays open until 3 am each train displays the name of its farthest destination. Base subway fare is $1.35 and increases during rush hour and for longer trips. Daily passes with unlimited riding privileges are available after 9:30 am during the week and all day on weekends for $6.50. Rail fare cards can be purchased at vending machines located inside the stations. Fare cards are inserted into the turnstile gates to enter and exit subway platforms. The fare is automatically deducted each time you exit a station. To continue your trip by Metrobus, obtain a transfer at your originating station before boarding the train. Buses travel to Georgetown and other areas not serviced by the subway.

To obtain schedules for connecting Metrobus service, locations of Metro sales offices, and other public transportation information, call Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority at (202) 637-7000 or visit www.wmata.com where you can even download a map right into your iPod or plot your course on with an interactive trip planner.

DC Circulator

The city's newest transportation service, the DC Circulator connects Union Station with Georgetown on an east-to-west route and the Shaw neighbourhood and Washington, DC Convention Centre with the National Mall and the Southwest Waterfront on a north-to-south route. Rides are $1. The Circulator operates daily from 7 am to 9 pm. Visitwww.dccirculator.com to view a map of the system.

Taxis

With more than 6,500 cabs in the District, the most per capita in the US, you should not have any trouble flagging one down. Taxis are readily available in downtown Washington and fares are reasonable. Washington, DC cabs operate on a zone system instead of meters. By law, basic rates must be posted in every cab. The base fare for one zone is $6.50. There is a $1.50 charge for each additional passenger in the party and a $1 surcharge during morning (7-9:30 am) and evening (4-6:30 p.m.) rush hours. There is a radio dispatch service charge of $2.00

A ride for one passenger between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and downtown near the White House is about $14.00-16.00; from Dulles, the fare is about $50. Maryland and Virginia cabs have metered fares and may transport you in and out of the District, but not between points within the District.

The District of Columbia is divided into 4 quadrants: Northwest, Southwest, Northeast and Southeast. The U.S Capitol building marks the centre where the quadrants meet. Always check the quadrant indicator (NW, NE, SW, SE) of a local address before setting out.

Numbered streets run north-south.

Lettered streets run east-west (there are no J, X, Y, or Z streets), alphabetically becoming two syllable names (Adams, Bellmont), then 3-syllable names (Allison, Buchanan) as you travel out farther from the centre.

Avenues named for U.S. states run diagonally, often meeting at traffic circles and squares.

Official Flower: American Beauty Rose
Official Bird: Wood Thrush
Official Tree: Scarlet Oak
Flag: Adopted in 1938. Design was based on the shield from George Washington's family coat of arms.
Motto: Justitia omnibus (Justice to all).

See also on Lifestyle:

D.C Celebrate Milestones - Washington's unforgettable skyline is dominated by some of the world's most celebrated monuments.

Must-See Places USA - Sailing across the sea to be with my uncle Sam.

Weird Attractions: USA - There are a fair few outlandish museums and odd attractions to be found across the USA.

Whirlwind Holiday? - Thrill-seeking Brits are hitting the USA for a holiday with a difference - storm chasing.

For more information on visiting the US capital visit the official website: www.washington.org

All text is © Copyright 2003 Washington, DC Convention and Tourism Corporation, used with permission.

PSP Ltd is not responsible for the content of external websites.

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