Where did Washington D.C. get its land?

Answer 1

Washington DC was originally 10 miles square (100 square miles) and covered both sides of the Potomac River. The Commonwealth of Virginia and the state of Maryland both ceded land to Congress to create a federal district. In 1846 the land Virginia ceded (Alexandria VA) was returned to the Commonwealth.

Today Washington DC is situated on land that was formerly part of state of Maryland.

Answer 2

{| |- | Two states donated land. Maryland and Virginia gave the land that was split by the Potomac River. They did not use the land given by Virginia. |}