Ciudades Americanas

American cities - Washington and New York

Washington, DC
1. Introduction
* location, foundation, population, centres, streets
2. Places of Interest
* The Capitol, The Mall, Washington Monument, The Jefferson Memorial, The Lincoln Memorial, The White House, The John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts, Arlington National Cemetery, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, FBI and Pentagon

1.Introduction
Washington, the national capital of the USA, is situated on east coast of Northern America. It is probably the most beautiful and originally designed city in whole country. It was founded in late 18th century and it was built on territory ceded to the federal government by two states – Maryland and Virginia. The place was chosen by George Washington, the 1st American President, and citywas named after him. DC stands for District of Columbia (Columbia named that name in honor of Christopher Columbus). Through the city flows Potomac River.
Washington has a population about 600,000. And the city is the US legislative, administrative, and judicial centre. Washington D.C. is the seat of the president, government, congress and Supreme Court. Its government buildings, museums, and manyother places of interest make it one of the most visited cities in the world, not to mention in the US.
Starting from the building of the Capitol, the streets that run from north to south bear the numbers 1, 2, 3, etc., while the east-west streets are named A, B, C... The regularity of the numbered and lettered streets makes it easier for foreign tourists or in general for visitors to find theirway around the city. The major avenues are named after some of the 50 states.
2. Places of Interest
The US Capitol is the seat of Congress which is divided to two parts – House of Representatives and the Senate. The first joint session of Congress took place then in 1800. Before these buildings were founded Congress met in Philadelphia. American visitors can get passes to the House of Senategalleries from their representatives or Senators.
Tourists usually begin their tour at The Mall. It is a long park-like area that starts at the Capitol and extends two miles to the west, ending at the Washington Monument. The Mall is bordered by many important institutions. The most interesting are probably the 7 Smithsonian Institution Museums. For example the National Air and Space Museum hasexhibits and information about the history of flight, including the planes of the Wright brothers and Charles Lindberg. But the main attractions for the visitors are spacecrafts used by the astronauts and the rocks they brought from Moon.
Very well known Washington Monument is the city’s most famous landmark. It is dedicated to the memory of the first American President and with its high of about 170metres it is the tallest structure in the city.
The Jefferson Memorial honours memory of the 3rd President of the US, Thomas Jefferson. It was dedicated by President Roosevelt in 1943 on the 200th anniversary of Jefferson’s birth. Inside this memorial is bronze statue of this President standing. Around the Memorial there are cherry trees that the City of Tokyo gave as a present to the City ofWashington in the beginning of 20th century.
Other Memorial is dedicated to the 16th President Lincoln. It is built in classic style of Greek temple. There are 36 columns because there were only 36 states when Abraham Lincoln died. Inside is a huge statue of the President seated in the chair.
Other very important site is The White House. It is the seat of the President where he lives during his termof office. There lived every one of the Presidents except the 1st. The building contains furniture collected throughout its history. In the corridors there are portraits of the Presidents and the First Ladies. Some parts of house are open to the public.
The John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts is a national cultural centre including the Opera House, the Concert Hall, and the American...