Washington D.C. is one of the most powerful places in the world.  It is a city free from state control.  The city operates as any city does, complete with a mayor.  The difference lies within how the city runs.  The budget for the city is actually controlled by Congress.  There is a lot of history and culture surrounding the area.  You can see a little of each in many of the sites around the city.

You can take the metro into the city and visit the Smithsonian, Washington Monument, or Lincoln Memorial.   If those few sites do not do it for you, check out the White House, or the Capitol Building.  It is the main hub for the American government and home to the President.  It is also one of the most visited places in the world.

Here are a few things you did not know about D.C.

• DC is a very international city, home to more than 170 embassies and international cultural centers. The city’s colleges and universities host about 20,000 international students each year, and 15% of DC residents speak a language other than English at home.

• Although DC residents pay taxes to the federal government, they do not have a voting representative in Congress. That’s why you may see license plates on cars that say “No Taxation without Representation.”

• The first official White House Christmas Tree was decorated by Benjamin Harrison and family.

• The Capitol Dome took 11 years to build. On top of the dome is the “Statue of Freedom,” which may look small, but it’s actually 19 feet 6 inches tall and weighs approximately 15,000 pounds.

• The Washington Monument is taller than all buildings, measuring 555 1/8”.

With so much to do and see, why would you not want to visit?  With such little space, you may want to make your move now.