Washington DC is the federal capital of the United States of America, located at the confluence of the Potomac and Anacostia rivers. Founded in 1790 and officially established as a city in 1791, it is an independent federal district surrounded by the states of Maryland and Virginia. Washington DC is the political and diplomatic center of the country, the seat of the federal government, including the White House, the Capitol and the Supreme Court. In addition, it houses important international institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The city stands out for its planned urban design, with wide avenues and iconic monuments such as the Washington Monument and the National Mall, which attract millions of tourists each year. Its population is around 600,000 in the city itself, but the metropolitan area exceeds 6 million, integrating parts of Maryland and Virginia. Washington DC is also a cultural center with world-renowned museums, such as those of the Smithsonian Institution, and a vibrant political and social life that reflects the diversity and complexity of the United States.