Washington, D.C. The founding of the City

The founding of the City

Washington, the capital of the USA, is situated on the north bank of the Potomac River close to the country's east coast, between the states of Virginia and Maryland. It is in the District of Columbia (D.C), which does not belong to any separate state but to all the states - so the city is quite unique in this respect.

The Capitol and the White House

Washington was named after the first US President- George Washington. It was he who chose the place for the capital city of the new independent country on the Potomac River not far from Mount Vernon, his home. Washington became the capital in 1800. During the War of 1812 the city fell into the hands of the British and much of it was burnt. But the damage was soon repaired. Washington is not the largest city in the USA. Its population is about 900 thousand people, but it is, probably, the largest «one-industry city» in the world, and that industry is government. The city's main product is law and government decisions. Besides, Washington is the residence of the President and the location of the Congress of the United States. The city is also unique in its architectural planning. It did not just grow up from a small village as many cities have. It was specially designed as a capital city, and its center was built on a radial plan; that is, many streets go out from circles like the spokes in a wheel. People who have been to Washington say that it is not difficult to find their way around there.

In 1790 George Washington laid the corner-stone of the Capitol - the most important and famous building in America - the place, where the US Congress meets to discuss the nation's affairs. The Capitol has a huge white dome rising on a circle of columns which is a familiar sight; together with the White House they can be called the symbol of Washington. On the dome of the Capitol there is a bronze Statue of Freedom which symbolizes the main idea of the US constitution that free people may govern themselves. It is in the Capitol that the inauguration of the President and other events of state importance take place. The building itself is enormous and it is very easy to get lost in its vast halls and rooms full of beautiful paintings and statues which make it look like a big museum.

Pennsylvania Avenue joins the Capitol and the White House which is the President's residence. The Avenue was intended to be the symbol of separation of powers under the Constitution and also of their joining in mutual understanding and cooperation. The building of the White House was started when the United States was very young. The first president to live in it was John Adams. The house had not been finished and was not white in those days. Its walls were of gray sandstone and it was called the «President's Palace». In 1814 the building was badly damaged by fire but was soon rebuilt and painted white to hide the smoke stains that showed on some of the walls. The house has been white ever since. It now has 107 rooms and 31 bathrooms. All American presidents have lived there except George Washington as the White House was not yet built at that time. The current president of the USA lives in the White House during his term and works in the Oval Office which is located in the White House building. The White House is open for tours and tourists can visit it almost any day a year. Annually about 1 mln people visit the White House. The best known room of the White House are the East Room, the Blue Room, the Green Room, the Red, Room, and the State Dining Room where a hundred guests can be seated.

Дата добавления: 2015-10-30