The District of Columbia (D.C.), which is coextensive with the City of Washington, DC, is the Federal District containing the capital of the United States of America, which is
the City of Washington, DC. Interestingly, the U.S. was often referred to, especially in poem and song, as "Columbia" prior to the early 20th century. During the 19th century, in addition to the
caricature of Uncle Sam, there was a female caricature Columbia. Why Columbia fell into disuse is unclear, but the name itself remains here and there as in the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS),
Columbia Pictures, and the District of Columbia. Other names by which Washington, DC was known in revolutionary times include Federal City and Washington City.
Today the District of Columbia, and Washington, DC, is home to many world bodies as well as the country's capital. The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the Organization of
American States (OAS) are headquartered in the District. Nevertheless, its function as the capital of the world's most powerful nation is central to its existence. All three branches of government
are headquartered here: the executive in the White House, the legislative in the Capitol, and the judicial in the Supreme Court. It is estimated that 1/3 of the population of the city works directly
or indirectly for the government.
The District is shaped like a diamond with the northwest, northeast, and southeast edges intact. The southwestern edge doesn't exist as the Potomac River carves out a curvilinear border. Rather
than presenting the somewhat elegant effect of a diamond when viewed on a map, the rough southwestern border gives the District a boxy look. The missing area of the original District plan,
comprising the fourth side of the diamond on the southern or right bank of the Potomac, was retroceded to Virginia in 1847, primarily for economic reasons.
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