What is the capital of the United States?

WASHINGTON, D.C. (District of Columbia) is the capital of the United States. It was established by the Constitution and was specifically designed to NOT be part of any state, so no single state would have the political advantage of containing the federal capital. The location along the Potomac River was chosen in 1790 as part of a compromise between northern and southern states. Construction of the federal city began in the 1790s, and the federal government officially moved from Philadelphia to Washington in 1800. The city is named after George Washington; 'D.C.' stands for District of Columbia, named after Christopher Columbus. Washington, D.C. contains the WHITE HOUSE (presidential residence and offices), the CAPITOL BUILDING (where Congress meets), the SUPREME COURT, and the Smithsonian museums. It has approximately 700,000 residents but as a federal district, residents have unique political status — they pay federal taxes but have no voting member of Congress (one non-voting delegate in the House). Earlier U.S. capitals included Philadelphia (multiple periods, 1774-1800), New York City (1785-1790), and others.