Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly called Washington or D.C., is the capital city and federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River, across from Virginia, and shares land borders with Maryland to its north and east. Washington, D.C., was named for George Washington, a Founding Father and the first president of the United States. The district is named for Columbia, the female personification of the nation.
Image: National Mall, Lincoln Memorial 04448v
Image: 12 07 13 washington by Ralf R 08
Image: Washington National Cathedral Highsmith 15393v
Image: 12 07 12 wikimania wdc by Ralf R 010
A capital city or just capital is the municipality holding primary status in a country, state, province, department, or other subnational division, usually as its seat of the government. A capital is typically a city that physically encompasses the government's offices and meeting places; the status as capital is often designated by its law or constitution. In some jurisdictions, including several countries, different branches of government are in different settlements, sometimes meaning multiple official capitals. In some cases, a distinction is made between the official (constitutional) capital and the seat of government, which is in another place.
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, and the most populous metropolitan area in the world
Rome, as the capital of the Roman Empire, acquired the nickname of Caput Mundi ("Capital of the world").
Beijing, as the last of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, has served as the country's political centre for most of the past eight centuries.
Tehran, the capital and largest city of Iran, and the capital of the Persian Empires in the last two centuries.