What State Is Washington, D.C. Located In?

The District of Columbia, also known as "the District," co-exists with D.C. Fundamentally, the two are considered the same and are often used interchangeably. The District initially comprised ceded lands from Maryland and Virginia but in the 1850s, the land granted by Virginia was given back to the state. The District encompasses an area of 68 square miles. Major federal buildings, such as the White House, Capitol Building and Supreme Court, are located within the District.