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Situated in the United States' eastern regions, the Potomac River Destination is comprised of three states, which are as follows: Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia. In addition to the namesake of the destination, the Potomac River, a fair amount of other land features characterize the land, such as the Chesapeake Bay, the Patuxent River, and Herring Bay. As for the more urban areas, two of the most notable touristic cities within the destination include Baltimore and Washington D.C. Many tourists are drawn to several places in Washington D.C., especially historic attractions such as the Smithsonian Institution sites, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, and other landmarks.[1] The Potomac River itself also holds historical significance as Mount Veron, the former home of George Washington, is located on the banks of the river.[8] Similarly, the city of Baltimore features several attractions, with one of the most prominent being the National Aquarium. For visitors who come to the area to engage in warm weather activities, it is recommended that they come between mid-August and early October or during June, as temperatures are fairly moderate throughout these months.[4]
The Potomac River Destination can be found in the eastern regions of the United States. West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland constitute the destination, with the two most prominent cities being Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. Washington, D.C. is known for serving as the home of the United States Capitol, the White House, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and other historically significant sites. The city itself is divided into quadrants, with the Capitol at the center. According to the 2022 census, Washington's population totals approximately 689,545 residents, making it the 23rd most populous city in the country. These residents are dispersed among 131 neighborhoods.[1]
With regard to the namesake of the destination, the Potomac River, the natural feature stretches to about 405 miles in length, coursing across West Virginia’s northeastern border. For those who enjoy outdoor recreational activities, the Potomac River can provide such. Typically during the spring and summer seasons, a fair amount of rafters and kayakers explore the whitewater areas of the river. The river also tends to receive anglers year-round. Notably, the river drains about 14,500 square miles, 3,480 of which are in West Virginia.[3]
Some of the popular touristic sites that typically draw a number of visitors annually are part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. It should be noted that admission to all Smithsonian Museums is free. The National Museum of Natural History, in particular, is one of the most notable among the museums of the Smithsonian Institution, as it measures to be comparable to the size of “18 football fields.” Within this relatively extensive attraction, the museum showcases over 140 million natural science specimens and cultural artifacts. The site additionally features a mineral exhibition known as the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals, which displays the Hope Diamond, a presumably cursed gem. Other areas of the attraction include an insect zoo, the Sant Ocean Hall, and the David H. Koch Hall of Fossils, to name a few.[2]
Another site of the Smithsonian Institution is the National Zoo, which contains over 1,500 animals in the 163-acre park. A total of 300 species reside in the zoo, and nearly 25% of the inhabitants are classified as endangered. The giant pandas at the National Zoo are one of the main animals that people generally take interest in seeing. It should be noted that all of the animals are cared for by “world-class zoologists and veterinarians.” Furthermore, the National Zoo additionally serves as a global research center and conservation center.[2]
The foremost site of these Smithsonian Institution attractions is the Smithsonian Castle, built in 1855. In 1846, the Smithsonian Institution as a whole was officially created by an act of Congress. The iconic red-sandstone structure was designed by an architect named James Renwick, and it was the first building to be a part of the institution. Initially, the Smithsonian Castle contained the entire institution, which at the time comprised a gallery, a laboratory, a natural history collection, and the apartment of the first secretary of the organization. Currently, the castle has a visitor’s center with interactive 3D maps that tourists can view. Moreover, an exhibit called A Castle of Curiosities can teach visitors about the history of the castle and James Smithson’s influence on the city.[2]
Located in the heart of Maryland, northeast of Washington, D.C., is the city of Baltimore. One of the most popular attractions that Baltimore has to offer is the National Aquarium, which is home to a diverse collection of aquatic creatures. Visitors are given the option to participate in the tours that are available at the aquarium, some of which include a dolphin training session, an animal care and rescue center tour, an early access tour, or an aquarium sleepover, plus many others. A 4D theatrical experience is additionally available to tourists, which entails cinematically swimming with dolphins and observing how they engage with one another. Some of the species that one can expect to see at the National Aquarium are Atlantic puffins, Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, blue poison dart frogs, green sea turtles, sloths, and various types of sharks.[6]
The Potomac River Destination is comprised of a portion of three of the following states: West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia. With the exception of half of the peninsula that Maryland covers, the majority of Maryland is located within the destination, primarily in the northern and eastern regions. West Virginia and Virginia constitute the remainder of the destination to the south and west. Outside the borders of the Potomac River Destination, the north is bounded by Pennsylvania, while the eastern perimeters are encompassed by the Chesapeake Bay. Aside from the Potomac River, the Chesapeake Bay, and other natural land features, a considerable expanse of the destination is characterized by urban areas as well.
Summers in Washington D.C., where the Potomac River is located, tend to be warm, while winters are contrastingly cold and snowy. Cloud coverage affects the area year-round, and temperatures generally vary between 29 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit. From May to September, it is considered to be the “hot season,” as temperatures are around 79 degrees Fahrenheit on average. July is presumably the hottest month of the year, with an average high of 88 degrees. The “cold season,” which roughly lasts from December to March, has an average daily high temperature below 52 degrees. January, in particular, has temperatures that drop to around 30 degrees on average, as it is the coldest month of the year. For those who are interested in engaging in warm-weather activities, the best time of year to visit Washington D.C., based solely on the tourism score, is during the month of June or from mid-August to early October.[4] Occasionally, hurricanes occur in late summer and early fall, though these hurricanes are generally mild by the time they reach the Washington, D.C. area.[1]
A fair amount of plant and animal life resides in the Potomac River Destination near Rock Creek Park, the Chesapeake Bay, and the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers. Approximately 29 mammals, 240 species of birds, 21 reptiles, 19 amphibians, and 29 species of fish inhabit the D.C. Metropolitan Area. Some of the specific seasonal species include great blue herons, wood thrush, and several species of warblers, all of which migrate during the spring and fall. A few animals live in the D.C. Metropolitan Area year-round, namely eastern gray squirrels, robins, and blue jays. Other species that may be spotted in the District of Columbia are deer, bald eagles, coyotes, foxes, hawks, owls, and raccoons, among others.[5]
After an extensive seven-year process of negotiation, the members of the U.S. congress deemed Washington D.C. as the capital of the United States. This process, which resulted in a compromise, was intended to “define the concept of federal enclave.” After the Residence Act was passed on July 17th of 1790, a permanent seat for the federal government was created. The location at which this capital was established was chosen with careful consideration by President George Washington, the country’s first president. This site is designated on the Potomac River’s head of navigation to accommodate oceangoing ships, in addition to two port cities known as George Town and Alexandria. To honor a notable explorer, Christopher Columbus, the territory was named the District of Columbia, while the federal city was named after George Washington.[7]
The United States declared war against Great Britain in 1812, and the capital city was damaged the following two years. In a raid called the Burning of Washington, Great Britain set fire to the federal buildings, and structural damage occurred throughout the city. In 1817, the construction of a new White House took place where President James Monroe served from 1817 to 1825.[1][7]
In 1729, the city of Baltimore was named in reference to the Irish barony of Baltimore. The city was initially created as a port for shipping tobacco and grain, though eventually, waterways were also constructed and utilized for flour milling. When the American Revolution began, Baltimore served as a seaport and shipbuilding center, with trade extending to the Caribbean. In 1797, the United States Navy’s first ship, which was called the Constellation, was launched in Baltimore. The namesake of the Constellation was the last all-sail warship built for the Navy. Since 1955, this ship has been moored in the harbor of Baltimore. Later on, in the 1990s, extensive restoration to the ship took place.[9]
The Potomac River bears historical significance as the banks of the river contain Mount Veron, also known as the home of George Washington. Early records of the river’s name date back to 1608 from John Smith, a colonist who referred to it as “Patawomeck.” The meaning of this word is currently unknown. Situated in a parallel placement to the Potomac River is the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, which was completed in 1850. Traffic ceased in this area during the 1920s; however, in today’s time, the canal serves as a place of recreation.[8]
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