Washington, D.C. is the capital city of the United States of America. "D.C." is an abbreviation for the District of Columbia, the federal district coextensive with the city of Washington. The city is named after George Washington, military leader of the American Revolution and the first President of the United States.

Southeast (SE or S.E.) D.C. is the southeastern quadrant of the city, located south of East Capitol Street and east of South Capitol Street. It has a rich cultural history, including the historic Anacostia neighborhood, the Navy Yard, the Anacostia River waterfront, the remains of several Civil War-era forts, RFK Stadium and the Congressional Cemetery.

Southwest (SW or S.W.) is the southwestern quadrant of D.C., located south of the National Mall and west of South Capitol Street. It is the smallest quadrant of the city. Southwest is small enough that it is frequently referred to as a neighborhood in and of itself.

Northwest (NW or N.W.) D.C. is the northwestern quadrant of the city, located north of the National Mall and west of North Capitol Street. It is the largest of the four quadrants of the city (NW, NE, SW and SE), and it includes the central business district, the Federal Triangle, and the museums along the northern side of the National Mall, as well as such neighborhoods as Dupont Circle, Le Droit Park, Georgetown, Adams Morgan, Glover Park, Tenleytown, Foggy Bottom, Cleveland Park, Columbia Heights, Mount Pleasant, the Palisades, Shepherd Park, Crestwood, Bloomingdale, and Friendship Heights.

Northeast (NE or N.E.) D.C. is the northeastern quadrant of the city, located north of East Capitol Street and east of North Capital Street. Northeast neighborhoods include Brentwood, Brookland, Ivy City, Marshall Heights, Stanton Park, Trinidad, Michigan Park, Riggs Park, Fort Totten, Fort Lincoln, Edgewood, and Woodridge, as well as much of Capitol Hill.