Washington, D.C. Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! == Economy == {{Main|Economy of the Washington Metropolitan Area}} [[File:Ec 05 (26114196145) (cropped).jpg|thumb|The [[Federal Reserve]], the [[central bank]] of the United States]] As of 2023, the [[Washington metropolitan area]], including District of Columbia as well as parts of [[Virginia]], [[Maryland]], and [[West Virginia]], was one of the nation's largest metropolitan economies. Its growing and diversified economy has an increasing percentage of professional and business service jobs in addition to more traditional jobs rooted in tourism, entertainment, and government.<ref>{{cite news |last=Florida |first=Richard |title=What Housing Crisis? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/06/02/double-dip-not-in-washington-dc/what-housing-crisis |work=The New York Times |access-date=November 15, 2011 |date=June 2, 2011 |archive-date=December 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201091216/http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/06/02/double-dip-not-in-washington-dc/what-housing-crisis |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Obsolete source|date=July 2023|reason=This source is from 2011, though the paragraph begins with "As of 2023"}} Between 2009 and 2016, [[gross domestic product]] per capita in Washington, D.C., consistently ranked at the very top among U.S. states.<ref name="capita2009">{{cite web |title=Per capita real GDP by state (chained 2009 dollars) |url=https://www.bea.gov/iTable/iTable.cfm?reqid=70&step=10&isuri=1&7003=200&7035=-1&7004=sic&7005=1&7006=xx&7036=-1&7001=1200&7002=1&7090=70&7007=-1&7093=levels#reqid=70&step=10&isuri=1&7003=1000&7004=naics&7035=-1&7005=1&7006=xx&7001=11000&7036=-1&7002=1&7090=70&7007=-1&7093=levels |website=Bureau of Economic Analysis |publisher=U.S. Department of Commerce |access-date=August 29, 2017 |archive-date=August 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831043848/https://www.bea.gov/iTable/iTable.cfm?reqid=70&step=10&isuri=1&7003=200&7035=-1&7004=sic&7005=1&7006=xx&7036=-1&7001=1200&7002=1&7090=70&7007=-1&7093=levels#reqid=70&step=10&isuri=1&7003=1000&7004=naics&7035=-1&7005=1&7006=xx&7001=11000&7036=-1&7002=1&7090=70&7007=-1&7093=levels |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2016, at $160,472, its GDP per capita was almost three times greater than that of [[Massachusetts]], which was ranked second in the nation (see [[List of U.S. states and territories by GDP]]).<ref name="capita2009" /> {{as of|2022}}, the metropolitan statistical area's unemployment rate was 3.1%, ranking 171 out of the 389 metropolitan areas as defined by the U.S. [[Bureau of Economic Analysis]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bls.gov/web/metro/laummtrk.htm|title=Unemployment Rates for Metropolitan Areas |website=U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |date=November 2022|access-date=January 8, 2023|archive-date=January 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108210943/https://www.bls.gov/web/metro/laummtrk.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The District of Columbia itself had an unemployment rate of 4.6% during the same time period.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm |title=Unemployment Rates for States |date=November 2022 |publisher=United States Bureau of Labor Statistics |access-date=January 8, 2023 |archive-date=April 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100401122314/https://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2019, Washington, D.C., had the highest median household income in the U.S. at $92,266.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/map?q=S1901%3A%20INCOME%20IN%20THE%20PAST%2012%20MONTHS%20%28IN%202018%20INFLATION-ADJUSTED%20DOLLARS%29&table=S1901&tid=ACSST1Y2018.S1901&hidePreview=false&cid=S1901_C01_001E&vintage=2018&lastDisplayedRow=93&layer=state&g=0400000US10,12,13,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,53,54,55,56,72,05,02,08,01,06,09,04|title=S1901: income in the past 12 months (in 2018 inflation-adjusted dollars)|date=December 19, 2019|website=data.census.gov|access-date=February 26, 2022|archive-date=March 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200306105619/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/map?q=S1901%3A%20INCOME%20IN%20THE%20PAST%2012%20MONTHS%20%28IN%202018%20INFLATION-ADJUSTED%20DOLLARS%29&table=S1901&tid=ACSST1Y2018.S1901&hidePreview=false&cid=S1901_C01_001E&vintage=2018&lastDisplayedRow=93&layer=state&g=0400000US10,12,13,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,53,54,55,56,72,05,02,08,01,06,09,04|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the District's [[comprehensive annual financial report]]s, the top employers by number of employees in 2022 included [[Georgetown University]], [[Children's National Medical Center]], [[Washington Hospital Center]], [[George Washington University]], [[American University]], [[Georgetown University Hospital]], [[Booz Allen & Hamilton]], [[Insperity]] PEO Services, [[Universal Protection Service]], [[Howard University]], [[MedStar Health|Medstar Medical Group]], [[George Washington University Hospital]], [[Catholic University of America]], and [[Sibley Memorial Hospital]].<ref>"[https://cfo.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ocfo/publication/attachments/FY%202022%20DC%20ACFR.pdf Comprehensive Annual Financial Report 2022] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806165625/https://cfo.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ocfo/publication/attachments/FY%202022%20DC%20ACFR.pdf |date=August 6, 2023 }}". ''Government of the District of Columbia''. January 24, 2023. p. 231.</ref> === Federal government === {{Main|Federal government of the United States}} [[File:Aerial view showing top of Washington Monument, Washington, D.C LCCN2010630904 (cropped).tiff|thumb|The [[Federal Triangle]], a historic hub of [[United States federal executive departments|executive departments]] of the [[Federal government of the United States|U.S. federal government]]]] As of July 2022, 25% of people employed in Washington, D.C., were employed by the federal government.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://does.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/does/page_content/attachments/CESdcJuly22%5B3%5D.pdf|title=District of Columbia Wage and Salary Employment by Industry and Place of Work|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022020302/https://does.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/does/page_content/attachments/CESdcJuly22%5B3%5D.pdf|archive-date=2022-10-22|publisher=District of Columbia Department of Employment Services, Office of Labor Market Research and Information|date=2022}}</ref> The vast majority of these government employees serve in various [[Executive Branch of the United States|executive branch]] departments, agencies, and institutions. A small percentage serve as temporary staff for presidents, [[United States Congress|Congress]] members, or in the [[Federal judiciary of the United States|federal judiciary]].{{citation needed|date=June 2023}} Many of the region's residents are employed by companies and organizations that do work for the federal government, seek to [[Lobbying in the United States|influence federal policy]], or are otherwise related to its work, including [[law firm]]s, [[defense contractor]]s, [[independent contractor|civilian contractors]], [[nonprofit organization]]s, [[lobbying in the United States|lobbying firms]], [[trade union]]s, [[industry trade group]]s, and [[professional association]]s, many of which have their headquarters in or near the city for proximity to the federal government. The largest U.S. government agencies located in or near the city are: the [[United States Department of Defense]] headquartered in [[the Pentagon]] in [[Arlington County, Virginia|Arlington, Virginia]], the [[United States Postal Service]], the [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs]], the [[United States Department of Homeland Security]], and the [[United States Department of Justice]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/top-5-biggest-federal-agencies |title=Top 5 biggest federal agencies |last=Blitzer |first=Ronn |date=February 19, 2020 |work=Fox News |access-date=February 28, 2022 |archive-date=February 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228212220/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/top-5-biggest-federal-agencies |url-status=live }}</ref> === Diplomacy and global finance === [[File:French ambassador's residence - Washington, D.C..jpg|thumb|left|The [[French ambassador's residence in Washington, D.C.|French ambassador's residence]]]] As the national capital, Washington, D.C. hosts about 185 foreign missions, including embassies, ambassador's residences, and international cultural centers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Embassies & Foreign Missions |url=https://www.ncpc.gov/topics/embassies/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=www.ncpc.gov |archive-date=March 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319194924/https://www.ncpc.gov/topics/embassies/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Many are concentrated along a stretch of [[Massachusetts Avenue (Washington, D.C.)|Massachusetts Avenue]] known informally as [[Embassy Row]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Take a walk around the world without leaving Washington, DC |url=https://washington.org/visit-dc/international-embassies-in-washington-dc |website=Washington D.C |access-date=February 13, 2023 |archive-date=February 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213101723/https://washington.org/visit-dc/international-embassies-in-washington-dc |url-status=live }}</ref> D.C. is consequently one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world; it hosts a number of internationally themed festivals and events, often in collaboration with foreign missions or delegations.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.internationalclubdc.com/ |title=International Club of DC |access-date=March 19, 2024 |archive-date=March 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319194924/https://www.internationalclubdc.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=WORLD PRIDE DC PROGRAM |url=https://issuu.com/capitalpride/docs/worldpride2025_dcbid_finalbid_pages/s/13248605 |website=issuu |access-date=February 13, 2023 |archive-date=February 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213101721/https://issuu.com/capitalpride/docs/worldpride2025_dcbid_finalbid_pages/s/13248605 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2008, the foreign [[diplomatic corps]] employed about 10,000 people and contributed an estimated $400 million annually to the local economy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Washington, D.C. |url=https://populartimelines.com/timeline/Washington-DC |website=PopularTimelines |access-date=February 13, 2023 |archive-date=February 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213104727/https://populartimelines.com/timeline/Washington-DC |url-status=live }}</ref> The city government maintains an Office of International Affairs to liaise with the diplomatic community and foreign delegations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Office of International Affairs {{!}} os |url=https://os.dc.gov/service/office-international-affairs |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=os.dc.gov |archive-date=March 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319194924/https://os.dc.gov/service/office-international-affairs |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Federal Reserve]], the [[central bank]] of the United States, is located on [[Constitution Avenue]]. Commonly called The Fed, its policies are made by the members of the [[Federal Reserve Board of Governors]]. Through [[monetary policy]], the Board adjusts various [[interest rate]]s in the U.S., which affects the U.S. economy and economies of countries across the world. Because of the power of the [[United States dollar|U.S. dollar]], the actions of the Board are monitored closely by political, economic, and diplomatic leaders around the world.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}} === Research and non-profit organizations === {{Category see also|Category:Non-profit organizations based in Washington, D.C.}} [[File:"The Conservative Sensibility" event at AEI.jpg|thumb|A panel discussion at the [[American Enterprise Institute]], one of D.C.'s many think tanks]] Washington, D.C., is a leading center for national and international research organizations, especially [[think tank]]s engaged in public policy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://repository.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1019&context=think_tanks&emci=9f8b1916-7161-eb11-9889-00155d43c992&emdi=71ad824c-7761-eb11-9889-00155d43c992&ceid=22832|title=2020 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report|last=McGann|first=James|date=January 28, 2021|work=University of Pennsylvania|access-date=February 28, 2022|archive-date=February 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228175616/https://repository.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1019&context=think_tanks&utm_medium=email&emci=9f8b1916-7161-eb11-9889-00155d43c992&emdi=71ad824c-7761-eb11-9889-00155d43c992&ceid=22832|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2020, 8% of the country's think tanks are headquartered in the city, including many of the largest and most widely cited;<ref>{{cite web |last=Luxner |first=Larry |date=February 5, 2021 |title=DC-based organizations dominate 2020 list of world's top think tanks |url=https://washdiplomat.com/dc-based-organizations-dominate-2020-list-of-worlds-top-think-tanks/#:~:text=Washington%2Dbased%20think%20tanks%20among,for%20American%20Progress%2C%20or%20CAP%20( |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228175631/https://washdiplomat.com/dc-based-organizations-dominate-2020-list-of-worlds-top-think-tanks/#:~:text=Washington%2Dbased%20think%20tanks%20among,for%20American%20Progress%2C%20or%20CAP%20( |archive-date=February 28, 2022 |access-date=February 28, 2022 |work=Washington Diplomat}}</ref> these include the [[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]], [[Center for Strategic and International Studies]], [[Peterson Institute for International Economics]], [[The Heritage Foundation]], and [[Urban Institute]].<ref>[https://guides.library.upenn.edu/c.php?g=1035991&p=7509974 "Public Policy Research Think Tanks 2019"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203154727/https://guides.library.upenn.edu/c.php?g=1035991&p=7509974 |date=December 3, 2022 }}, [[University of Pennsylvania]]</ref> D.C. is home to many non-profit organizations that engage with issues of domestic and global importance by conducting advanced research, running programs, or public advocacy. Among these organizations are the [[UN Foundation]], [[Human Rights Campaign]], [[Amnesty International]], and the [[National Endowment for Democracy]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Contact Us |url=https://www.ned.org/contact/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR DEMOCRACY |language=en-US |archive-date=March 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319194919/https://www.ned.org/contact/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Major medical research institutions include the [[MedStar Washington Hospital Center]] and the [[Children's National Medical Center]].<ref>{{cite web |year=2010 |title=Top 200 Chief Executive Officers of the Major Employers in the District of Columbia 2009 |url=http://does.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/does/publication/attachments/DOES_Top200.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115081218/http://does.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/does/publication/attachments/DOES_Top200.pdf |archive-date=January 15, 2013 |access-date=September 6, 2012 |publisher=D.C. Department of Employment Services}}</ref> The city is the country's primary location for international development firms, many of which contract with the D.C.-based [[United States Agency for International Development]] (USAID), the U.S. federal government's aid agency. The [[American Red Cross]], a humanitarian agency focused on emergency relief, is also headquartered in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charity Navigator - Rating for American Red Cross |url=https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/530196605 |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=www.charitynavigator.org |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119120209/https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/530196605 |url-status=live }}</ref> === Private sector === {{Category see also|Category:Companies based in Washington, D.C.}} [[File:K Street NW at 19th Street.jpg|upright=0.75|alt=Street sign for K Street, with tall office buildings in background|thumb|[[K Street (Washington, D.C.)|K Street]], historically a hub for [[lobbyist|lobbying firms]] and [[advocacy group]]s, has become a [[metonym]] for the American lobbying industry.]] According to statistics compiled in 2011, four of the [[Fortune 500|largest 500 companies]] in the country were headquartered in Washington, D.C.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2011/states/DC.html |title=Fortune 500 2011: States: District Of Columbia Companies |access-date=November 12, 2011 |date=May 23, 2011 |work=[[Fortune Magazine]] |publisher=CNNMoney.com |archive-date=October 31, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111031162201/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2011/states/DC.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In the 2023 [[Global Financial Centres Index]], Washington was ranked as having the 8th most competitive financial center in the world, and fourth most competitive in the United States (after [[Economy of New York City|New York City]], [[San Francisco#Economy|San Francisco]], and [[Los Angeles#Economy|Los Angeles]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.longfinance.net/media/documents/GFCI_29_Full_Report_2021.03.17_v1.1.pdf |title=The Global Financial Centres Index 29 |date=March 2021 |access-date=July 27, 2021 |archive-date=March 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322132130/https://www.longfinance.net/media/documents/GFCI_29_Full_Report_2021.03.17_v1.1.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> Among the largest companies headquartered in the Washington, D.C., area are [[Fannie Mae]], [[Amtrak]], [[Lockheed Martin]], [[Marriot International]], [[Hilton Worldwide]], [[Danaher Corporation]], [[FTI Consulting]], and [[Hogan Lovells]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://builtin.com/washington-dc/companies-in-washington-dc |title=30 Top Companies in Washington, D.C., Shaping the Nation's Business Landscape |newspaper=Built In |date=October 4, 2021 |language=en |last1=McClure |first1=Olivia |access-date=September 8, 2022 |archive-date=March 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304220913/https://builtin.com/washington-dc/companies-in-washington-dc |url-status=live }}</ref> Due to the building height restrictions in Washington, D.C., taller buildings are able to be built in suburban [[Maryland]] and [[Virginia]]. [[Capital One Bank]], which is one of the largest banks in the country, is headquartered in nearby [[Tysons, Virginia]], a large and growing financial center located in [[Fairfax County, Virginia]]. The headquarters building for Capital One Bank, known as [[Capital One Tower (Virginia)|Capital One Tower]], is the tallest occupied building in the Washington region. In 2018, [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] announced it would build a second headquarters building, known as HQ2, in the [[Crystal City, Virginia|Crystal City neighborhood]] of [[Arlington County, Virginia]], which is located just across the [[Potomac River]] from Washington, D.C.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/11/13/665646050/amazons-grand-search-for-2nd-headquarters-ends-with-split-nyc-and-d-c-suburb |title=Amazon's Grand Search For 2nd Headquarters Ends With Split: NYC And D.C. Suburb |newspaper=NPR |date=November 13, 2018 |language=en |access-date=September 1, 2019 |last1=Selyukh |first1=Alina |archive-date=November 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113150150/https://www.npr.org/2018/11/13/665646050/amazons-grand-search-for-2nd-headquarters-ends-with-split-nyc-and-d-c-suburb |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition to [[Capital One]], some of the largest companies headquartered in [[Northern Virginia]] include [[Hilton Worldwide|Hilton]], [[Navy Federal Credit Union]], [[Mars, Incorporated|Mars]], [[Freddie Mac]], [[Northrop Grumman]], and [[General Dynamics]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.virginiabusiness.com/article/35-virginia-companies-make-2020-fortune-1000-list/|title=35 Virginia companies make 2020 Fortune 1000 list|newspaper=Virginia Business|date=May 18, 2020|language=en|last1=Lake|first1=Sydney|access-date=September 8, 2022|archive-date=February 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211032653/https://www.virginiabusiness.com/article/35-virginia-companies-make-2020-fortune-1000-list/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Washington, D.C., economy also benefits from being home to many prominent news and media organizations. Among these are ''[[The Washington Post]]'', ''[[The Washington Times]]'', ''[[Politico]]'', and ''[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]''. Television and radio media organizations either headquartered in or near the city or with large offices in the region, include [[CNN]], [[PBS]], [[C-SPAN]], [[CBS]], [[NBC]], [[Discovery Channel|Discovery]], and [[NPR]], and others. The [[Gannett]] Company, which owns ''[[USA Today]]'' and other media outlets, is headquartered in [[Tysons, Virginia]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gannett Company, Inc.|url=https://www.loc.gov/item/lcwaN0016970/|access-date=August 9, 2020|website=Library of Congress |archive-date=April 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428133509/https://www.loc.gov/item/lcwaN0016970/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cision.com/us/2019/01/top-ten-us-daily-newspapers/ |title=Top 10 U.S. Daily Newspapers |website=Cision |date=January 4, 2019 |access-date=October 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722203322/https://www.cision.com/us/2019/01/top-ten-us-daily-newspapers/ |archive-date=July 22, 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> === Tourism === [[File:World War II Memorial Wade-47.JPG|thumb|The [[National World War II Memorial]] is among the many popular tourist sites located on the [[National Mall]].]] Tourism is the city's second-largest industry, after the federal government. In 2012, some 18.9 million visitors contributed an estimated $4.8 billion to the local economy.<ref name=tourism2012>{{cite news |url=http://washingtonexaminer.com/d.c.-sets-tourism-record-with-19m-visitors-in-2012/article/2529134 |title=D.C. sets tourism record with 19 m visitors in 2012 |first=Matt |last=Connolly |date=May 7, 2013 |access-date=May 8, 2013 |work=[[The Washington Examiner]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103040727/http://washingtonexaminer.com/d.c.-sets-tourism-record-with-19m-visitors-in-2012/article/2529134 |archive-date=November 3, 2013}}</ref> In 2019, the city saw 24.6 million tourists, including 1.8 million from foreign countries, who collectively spent $8.15 billion during their stay.<ref name="tourism2019">{{citation|url=https://washington-org.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2019_washington_dc_visitor_statistics.pdf|title=2019 VISITOR STATISTICS WASHINGTON, DC|date=2019|work=Discover DC|access-date=February 28, 2022|archive-date=September 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922034448/https://washington-org.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2019_washington_dc_visitor_statistics.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Tourism helps many of the region's other industries, such as lodging, food and beverage, entertainment, shopping, and transportation;<ref name="tourism2019" /> it also supports the city's world-class museums and cultural centers, most notably the [[Smithsonian Institution]].{{citation needed|date=June 2023}} The city and wider Washington region has a diverse array of attractions for tourists, such as monuments, memorials, museums, sports events, and trails. Within the city, the [[National Mall]] serves as the center of the tourism industry. It is there that many of the city's museums and monuments are located. Adjacent to the mall sits the [[Tidal Basin]], where several additional memorials and monuments lie, including the popular [[Jefferson Memorial]]. [[Union Station (Washington, D.C.)|Union Station]] is a popular tourist spot with its multitude of restaurants and shops.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}} Among the most visited tourist destinations is [[Arlington National Cemetery]] in nearby [[Arlington County, Virginia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://travel.usnews.com/Washington_DC/Things_To_Do/Arlington_National_Cemetery_64632/ |title=Arlington National Cemetery |access-date=March 4, 2022 |work=U.S. News & World Report |archive-date=February 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228195042/https://travel.usnews.com/Washington_DC/Things_To_Do/Arlington_National_Cemetery_64632/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This is a military cemetery that serves as a burial ground for former military combatants. It is also the location of President [[John F. Kennedy]]'s tomb, marked by an [[John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame|eternal flame]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Monuments-and-Memorials/President-John-F-Kennedy-Gravesite |title=President John Fitzgerald Kennedy Gravesite |access-date=March 4, 2022 |work=Arlington National Cemetery website |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706061416/https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Monuments-and-Memorials/President-John-F-Kennedy-Gravesite |url-status=live }}</ref> President [[William Howard Taft]] is also buried in Arlington.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Monuments-and-Memorials/President-William-H-Taft-Gravesite |title=President William Howard Taft Memorial Grave |access-date=March 4, 2022 |work=Arlington National Cemetery website |archive-date=November 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120154556/https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Monuments-and-Memorials/President-William-H-Taft-Gravesite |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Arlington)|Tomb of the Unknown Soldier]] is located in the cemetery and is guarded 24/7 by a tomb guard. The changing of the guard is a popular tourist attraction and occurs once every hour from October through March and every half-hour during the rest of the year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Tomb-of-the-Unknown-Soldier |title=The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier |access-date=March 4, 2022 |work=Arlington National Cemetery website |archive-date=February 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222092129/https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Tomb-of-the-Unknown-Soldier |url-status=live }}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Christianpedia:Copyrights for details). Do not submit copyrighted work without permission! 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