What is the capital of the United States?

Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States because it was established specifically for that purpose. The city was created to serve as the nation's capital due to its central location along the East Coast and its significance as a political center. This choice was made during the founding of the country to symbolize neutrality between the northern and southern states. Washington, D.C. houses the primary government institutions, including the White House, Congress, and the Supreme Court. This historical and functional role makes it the official capital, distinguishing it from other major cities like New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago, which are significant in different ways but do not serve as the capital.