washington

Washington is a name associated with several places and a person in American history. It commonly refers to George Washington, the military commander and statesman who became the first president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. He helped shape the early U.S. government and played a key role in the drafting of the Constitution; his Farewell Address urged national unity and cautioned against entangling alliances.

Washington, the state in the Pacific Northwest, lies on the western edge of the contiguous United States. Named for George Washington, it is bordered by British Columbia to the north, Oregon to the south, Idaho to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Its geography includes the Cascade Range and the Puget Sound region. Olympia is the state capital; Seattle is the largest city and a major economic center. The economy blends aerospace, technology, agriculture, forestry, and maritime industries.

Washington, D.C., the capital district of the United States, was established in 1790 and named for George Washington. Located along the Potomac River, it serves as the seat of the federal government and hosts numerous national institutions, monuments, and museums. The district is not part of any state and is governed by a locally elected government in cooperation with federal oversight.

The name Washington also appears in many other places worldwide and in various uses, but the three above are the most common references in U.S. usage.