See also: Columbia

The district of Columbia is a territory of the the United States of 177 km ² and of: 582049 inhabitants (2005), whose limits currently correspond to the only town of Washington, the federal capital.

History

The district of Columbia, called informellement in the beginning “Territory of Columbia” was created the January 24th 1791 starting from cities yielded by two states. The first is the town of Georgetown, yielded by the Maryland, the second is the town of Alexandria, yielded by the Virginia. The name of Washington was used starting from the September 9th 1791, while official name “District off Columbia” was established the May 6th 1796.

The February 27th 1801 the Congrès decided to divide the district into two counties: Washington on bank is Potomac and Alexandria on western bank. The July 9th 1846 the Congress decided to reassign the county of Alexandria in Virginia, decision effective in March 1847. The town of Georgetown remained an independent entity until the February 21st 1871, day when it was annexed to the town of Washington. As from this moment linked the destinies of the district of Columbia and the town of Washington.

See too

• List of the governors of the District of Columbia
• Mayors of Washington
• Mayors of Georgetown
• Mayors of Alexandria

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