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 Washington, D.C. has a total area of 68.3 square miles (177 km2), of which 61.4 square miles (159 km2) is land and 6.9 square miles (18 km2) (10.16%) is water. The District is no longer 100 square miles (260 km2) due to the retrocession of the southern portion of the District back to the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1846. The District's current area consists only of territory ceded by the state of Maryland. Washington is therefore surrounded by the states of Maryland to the southeast, northeast, and northwest and Virginia to the southwest. The District has three major natural flowing streams: the Potomac River, the Anacostia River, and Rock Creek. The Anacostia River and Rock Creek are tributaries of the Potomac River.
The Residence Act granted President Washington the authority to select the exact location of the new national capital as far east as the mouth of the Anacostia River. However, Washington shifted the federal territory's borders to the southeast in order to include the city of Alexandria at the District's southern tip. In 1791, Congress amended the Residence Act to approve President Washington's new site, including the territory ceded by Virginia. The location of the city had many natural advantages: the Potomac is navigable up to the District, allowing for boat traffic; the established ports at Alexandria and Georgetown provided an important economic base for the city; and the District's inland location was close to the Northwest Territory. During 1791–92, Andrew Ellicott and several assistants, including Benjamin Banneker, surveyed the border of the District with both states, placing boundary stones at every mile point. Many of the stones are still standing. Contrary to the urban legend, Washington was not built on reclaimed swampland. While wetlands did cover areas along the two rivers and other natural streams, the majority of District's territory consisted of farmland and tree-covered hills. The highest natural point in the District of Columbia is 409 feet (125 m) above sea level in Tenleytown. The lowest point is sea level at the Potomac River. The geographic center of Washington is located near the intersection of 4th and L Streets NW. Source: Washington, D.C. - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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