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Washington, D.C.
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Orientation
After George Washington chose 100 square miles [259 square kilometers] of partly mosquito-infested swamp for a federal city in 1791, Pierre L’Enfant drew up plans for a grid of streets cut across by boulevards and adorned with fountains and statuary. The swamp was filled in, and today L’Enfant’s plan still works: Washington is easy to maneuver, once you understand the street pattern. The city has an excellent subway system and many of the most visited sites are within walking distance of one another.
When to Go
The best times to visit Washington are the spring (March to May) and fall (September to November). Summers in Washington are extremely hot and humid, and winters are usually cold and gray.
Statistics
- Area: 61.4 square miles [38.2 square kilometers]
- Population: 523,124
- Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time, five hours behind Greenwich Mean Time
Getting There
By Plane
- Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) 32 miles [51 kilometers] northeast of city
- Ronald Reagan National (DCA) 3 miles [5 kilometers] south of city
- Dulles International (IAD) 26 miles [42 kilometers] west of city
- Official Airline Guide: Official Airline Guide Washington, DC
By Bus
- Washington, DC Greyhound Terminal
1005 1st N.E.
+1 202 289 5154
By Train
- Washington-Union Station
50 Massachusetts Avenue N.E.
Washington, DC
20002
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Amtrak Information
Local Links
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