Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.

Geography and climate

Geography

Washington, D.C. is located at {{coor dms|38|53|42|N|77|02|11|W|}} (the coordinates of the Zero Milestone, on The Ellipse). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 177.0 km² (68.3 mi²). 159.0 km² (61.4 mi²) of it is land and 18.0 km² (6.9 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 10.16% water.

Related Topics:
Washington, D.C. - Zero Milestone - United States Census Bureau - Km² - Mi²

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Washington is surrounded by the states of Virginia (on its southwest side, and a small part of its northwest one) and Maryland (on its southeast and northeast sides, and most of its northwest one); it interrupts those states' common border, which is the Potomac River both upstream and downstream from the District.

Related Topics:
State - Virginia - Maryland

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The physical geography of the District of Columbia is very similar to the physical geography of much of Maryland. The District has three natural flowing bodies of water: the Potomac River, the Anacostia River, and Rock Creek. Both Anacostia River and Rock Creek are tributaries of the Potomac. There are also three man-made reservoirs: Dalecarlia Reservoir, which crosses over the northwest border of the District from Maryland, McMillan Reservoir near Howard University, and Georgetown Reservoir upstream of Georgetown.

Related Topics:
Geography - Maryland - Potomac River - Anacostia River - Rock Creek - Reservoir - Dalecarlia Reservoir - McMillan Reservoir - Howard University - Georgetown Reservoir

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The highest point in the District of Columbia is 410 feet (125 m) above sea level at Tenleytown. The lowest point is one foot, which occurs at least as far up the Potomac River as 0.35 miles (0.57 km) upstream from the terminus of Rock Creek.

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Geographical features of Washington, DC include Theodore Roosevelt Island, Columbia Island, the Three Sisters, and Hains Point.

Related Topics:
Theodore Roosevelt Island - Columbia Island - Three Sisters - Hains Point

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Climate

Washington's weather is highly seasonal with extreme variations between summer and winter, and can be somewhat unpredictable. Summers tend to be very hot and humid, which tends to be exacerbated in the heart of the city with the presence of much concrete and steel. Fall and spring are the best seasons, when chilly but bright, perfect days are the norm. Sudden rain or snowfalls are possible. In winter, the city is subject to heavy snowfalls, averaging 17 inches, and sudden arctic blasts or frozen rainstorms. The highest recorded temperature was 106° F (41° C) in 1918 and 1930, and the lowest recorded temperature was -18° F (-26° C) on February 11, 1899.{{mn|TEMP|1}}

Related Topics:
1918 - 1930 - February 11 - 1899

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