Profile of DC Film Washington, DC is the nation's capital and the seat of the federal government. It offers some of the most instantly recognizable architecture in the world. The principal federal buildings and monuments are clustered around the Capitol Building and along the Mall, from the Capitol to the Potomac River (an area known as the federal enclave). This enclave includes the White House and the Capitol, the US Supreme Court and the Library of Congress. Pennsylvania Avenue-between the White House and the capitol-is the ceremonial way for presidential inauguration parades and other national celebrations. The principal federal parklands are the Mall, Haines Point, the National Arboretum and Rock Creek Park. The city is also the location of most federal departments and agencies. And Washington, DC is so much more!