Washington, District of Columbia, is probably the most unique city in the world. Not only was it the first planned capital, it must also function as both a city and a state.

The location of the nation's capital was a source of contention from the beginning. Philadelphia, capital during the Revolutionary War, was the leading contender. Virginia wanted a location on the Potomac. Finally a compromise was reached: the southern states agreed to have the new government assume the war debts of the individual states (the northern states' were much higher than theirs) in return for the northern states agreeing to a southern capital.

President George Washington chose the location; it was only a few miles up-river from his home at Mount Vernon. The surrounding states donated the land for the new District of Columbia. French-born Pierre Charles L'Enfant was chosen to design the new city, which was burned by the British during the War of 1812. It wasn't until the late 19th century that the city began to reflect the status its role as the seat of government mandates. Today, DC is the country's largest tourist attraction.