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The abbreviation D.C. in Washington D.C. stands for District of Columbia. It is a special federal district in the United States and not part of any U.S. state. The city was founded to serve as the permanent capital of the country. It was established through the Residence Act of 1790 and officially became the capital in 1800.

The word Columbia was a poetic term used to describe America in the 18th century. This name was chosen to represent the new, independent United States. The U.S. Constitution gave Congress the authority to create a separate district to house the national government, ensuring it remained independent from any single state’s influence.

Washington D.C. is home to important buildings like the White House, U.S. Capitol, and Supreme Court. The district has more than 670,000 residents (as of 2023), yet they do not have full voting rights in Congress, leading to the popular phrase on local license plates: Taxation Without Representation.

Here are some key facts about the District of Columbia:

• Created in 1790 through the Residence Act


• Located between Maryland and Virginia on the Potomac River


• Not a U.S. state, but a federal district


• Population of over 670,000 people


• Home to all three branches of the U.S. federal government


• Residents pay federal taxes but lack full representation in Congress

A real-world example of its unique political status is seen in federal oversight. While Washington D.C. has its own mayor and city council, Congress has the final authority over local laws and budgets. This has sparked debates for many years about granting D.C. statehood or full voting rights.