Washington, D.C., the capital city of the United States, was named for George Washington (who picked the location). The city located between Virginia and Maryland on the north bank of the Potomac River. It is home to all three branches of the federal government, as well as the White House, the Supreme Court and the Capitol Building. More than 500,000 people live in Washington, D.C. Due to the District of Columbia retrocession, the city has a total area of 68.34 square miles (177.0 km2), of which 61.05 square miles (158.1 km2) is land and 7.29 square miles (18.9 km2) (10.67%) is water. The architecture of Washington varies greatly. There are many interesting places which is extremely attractive to tourists such as the Washington National Cathedral, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and others. The city has developing econymy so it is a center of shopping mall and ideal entertainment area. People here are very friendly and kind. Besides, D.C. has many kind of delicious food which has something to suit any palate (and pocket!). Washing ton D.C. is really an attractive city which is always exciting to visit.