Why isn't Washington D.C. in Washington State?

Answer 1

Washington DC is not part of any state because, when the Constitution was being written, no state wanted the national capitol to be in any other state. The state that contained the national capitol would have a substantial advantage over rival states. So they compromised and place the capitol in a Federal District that was governed by Congress and was not part of any state.

Answer 2

The State of Washington was not yet explored and was not a "State" in George Washington's lifetime and when the government was established. When the western territory opened, the area known as The State of Washington adopted the name "Washington" as its State name in honor of George Washington. Many towns, cities, and townships across our nation honored George Washington by using "Washington" as the place name.

It is important to note, at first the Nation's Capital was in New York. The government was re-settled to an area in Virginia. To set it off from ALL States, our nation's capital city is known as Washington, D.C. It is a district set apart in it's land area, name, and its purpose. The White House is the people's House, but is where the President performs his duties.

Answer 3

This was done on purpose by the founders of the Constitutional United States. The federal Capital was placed outside all the states to prevent any one state from gaining undue political influence in national affairs.

Both Maryland and Virginia ceded a block of land along the Potomac River that totaled 20 square miles. Later Virgina reclaimed their chunk of land (now Arlington) after it was determined that the additional land was unneeded.

Answer 4

Washington DC is technically its own state. It is in the District of Columbia, which is actually what the DC stands for. But outside of the district of Columbia, Washington DC is located in Maryland.

Answer 5

Correct. Washington DC is not a state. It is a federal district (as in District of Columbia - DC).