<P> Washington is surrounded by the states of Virginia ( on its southwest side ) and Maryland ( on its southeast , northeast , and northwest sides ) ; it interrupts those states ' common border , which is the south shore of the Potomac River both upstream and downstream from the District . The portion of the Potomac River that passes Washington is virtually entirely within the District 's border , as the District extends to the south bank . The city contains the historic `` federal city '' , the territory of which was formerly part of those two adjacent states before they respectively ceded it for the national capital . The land ceded from Virginia was returned by Congress in 1847 , so what remains of the modern District was all once part of Maryland . </P>
<P> Washington is surrounded by the states of Virginia ( on its southwest side ) and Maryland ( on its southeast , northeast , and northwest sides ) ; it interrupts those states ' common border , which is the south shore of the Potomac River both upstream and downstream from the District . The portion of the Potomac River that passes Washington is virtually entirely within the District 's border , as the District extends to the south bank . The city contains the historic `` federal city '' , the territory of which was formerly part of those two adjacent states before they respectively ceded it for the national capital . The land ceded from Virginia was returned by Congress in 1847 , so what remains of the modern District was all once part of Maryland . </P>
washington dc is located near the border of what two states
washington dc is located near the border of what two states
Virginia Maryland
Virginia Maryland