What is the capital of the United States?

Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States because it was specifically chosen as a neutral ground for the nation's capital in order to balance the influence of different states and regions. Established in 1790, the city was designed to serve as the political and administrative center of the government. It is home to important government institutions, including the White House, the Capitol, and the Supreme Court.

The decision to locate the capital along the Potomac River also aimed to facilitate access from various states while fostering national unity. In contrast, New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles, while being major American cities, do not hold the designation of national capital and do not serve the central governmental functions that Washington, D.C. does.