The Washington Monument

Washington D.C. is getting a lot of attention these days.  The whole world notices the race currently in progress to see who might get to take up residence in the famous city next year.  It is synonymous with our presidency and our government, and it is the most popular city for students every single year.

If Washington D.C. is known for anything, besides the White House and Capitol Hill, it has to be its many presidential monuments.  Most of them are located on the National Mall.  They are all unique in design, but perhaps none quite so unique as the monument dedicated to our first president, George Washington.

He is called the father of our nation, the most influential player in our country's independence and the forming of our truly amazing democracy.  The designers of this monument felt it needed to reflect that unequaled role.  And to this day, the Washington Monument is the tallest structure in Washington D.C. and the tallest wholly stone structure in the world.

The observation level in this amazing landmark is 500 feet from the level of the lobby.  Its visibility on clear days is 40 to 50 miles.  Around the base of the monument, as you can see in this picture by NCinDC on Flickr, stand 50 flags, one for each state in the union.

Washington D.C. educational tours would be incomplete without touring the monuments for which the city is famous.  And the Washington Monument is certainly the most famous of all.  The National Mall is a Washington D.C. treasure with its beautiful reflecting pool and this and many other memorials.  It is a must-see experience for any D.C. tour.