Washington District of Columbia Map

About Washington, District of Columbia

Washington is a locality in District of Columbia County, District of Columbia, United States. With a population of 689,545, Washington is a major urban centre in District of Columbia. The population density is 4355.5 people per km². Washington is located at 38.9042°N, 77.0165°W. It observes the Eastern Time (America/New_York) timezone. ZIP codes: 20230, 20250, 20001.

Washington occupies a landscape defined by the deliberate geometry of federal stone and the soft, humid air that clings to the low-lying plains. It lies 1.9 miles east of Rosslyn, VA (from Rosslyn, VA: bearing 93°T), and is situated 9.1 miles north-northwest of Prince Georges. The terrain is characterized by the gentle depression of Rock Creek Valley and the presence of the Washington Channel, which cuts through the urban grid with a quiet, persistent flow. To the west, the distant silhouette of Bacon Ridge provides a faint, elevated boundary against the horizon, while the central landscape is punctuated by the stillness of the Reflecting Pool. During the early spring, the atmosphere becomes heavy with the scent of blossoms, creating a sensory contrast against the rigid, neoclassical architecture that defines the physical character of Washington.

History flows through the foundation of Washington as a grand experiment in governance, conceived to serve as a neutral ground for the young republic. The site was chosen for its strategic position along the inland waterways, intended to draw the disparate interests of the early states toward a single, permanent center. As the federal government took root, the city expanded from its initial survey lines into a sprawling arrangement of grand boulevards and radial avenues, designed to reflect the aspirations of a rising nation. Over the centuries, Washington has evolved from a swampy, unfinished vision into a dense grid of marble and granite, where the weight of political legacy is felt in every corridor.

Economic life in Washington is driven primarily by the machinery of the federal government, which sustains a vast network of professional services, international organizations, and research institutions. Beyond the legislative sphere, the region supports a robust academic environment, anchored by prestigious schools like Georgetown University and George Washington University, which cultivate a constant influx of intellectual energy. Infrastructure is marked by the expansive transit systems that connect the suburban reaches to the central hubs of labor and commerce. Near the quiet green spaces of University Yard, the pace of work is steady, fueled by a workforce that balances the demands of policy-making with the maintenance of a sophisticated, modern economy.

Cultural life in Washington is played out on a grand scale, from the professional intensity of teams like the Washington Commanders and the Washington Wizards to the quiet reflection found along the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway Terminus. Major annual events and festivals draw crowds to the monumental core, where landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial stand as silent observers of the passing years. The natural beauty of the area is best experienced in the transition of seasons, such as the trek to Little Falls to witness the movement of water over stone. Figures like Frederick Douglass have left an indelible mark on the identity of Washington, grounding its high-minded political culture in a profound, lived history that remains visible in the neighborhoods behind the monuments.

About This Washington Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Washington, District of Columbia. Coordinates: 38.904247, -77.016517. Live weather conditions are sourced directly from the National Weather Service. Real-time local and world news feeds keep the page current.

Detailed location data for Washington includes the ZIP code (20230, 20250, 20001), telephone area code (202), county seat of District of Columbia County, and school district assignment (District of Columbia Public Schools).

Location data is drawn from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and cross-verified against 2020 US Census records by coordinate proximity. Population figures are sourced from the 2020 US Census.