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Northern Virginia’s Arlington County lies on the Potomac River’s south bank, directly across from Washington, D.C. Bordered by Fairfax County, the City of Falls Church and the City of Alexandria; Arlington is a small, self-governing county with no other incorporated towns inside its borders and as such, is included as a municipality of the Washington Metropolitan Area.
The proximity of the D.C. area provides Arlington residents a variety of federal department and agency career opportunities and provides the county with an unprecedented economic stability, even during periods of nationwide economic downturn, allowing Arlington to consistently have the lowest unemployment rate of any Virginia jurisdiction. Despite the density of Arlington’s population, the county prides itself on the “Arlington Way” of life, a balanced fusion of the urban and suburban elements that is friendly and convenient for both residents and visitors to enjoy. To learn more about “The Arlington Way”, please visit: Arlington Visitor’s Information & Services Arlington, VA Social Media Guide Virginia Tourism, Arlington Guide Official Tourism Site of Washington, DC History Arlington County’s history is virtually synonymous with American History as a whole. Originally part of Fairfax County in the Colony of Virginia, the area now comprising Arlington County was ceded to the United States federal government by the Virginia Commonwealth with the 1790 passage of the Residence Act, allowing for a permanent capital that was to be located on the Potomac River. The Organic Act of 1801 officially created the District of Columbia, placing the federal area (Washington D.C., Georgetown, and Alexandria) under exclusive Congressional control. At this time, the unincorporated territory was organized into the County of Washington and the County of Alexandria, formally establishing borders on the area that would eventually become Arlington. However, this organization effectively negated the Congressional representation of area residents, as they were not considered residents of either Maryland or Virginia. Economic neglect, lack of voter’s rights and clashes over the issue of slavery brought about a petition to return Alexandria County to the Commonwealth of Virginia. In 1846, retrocession petitions were accepted and following Congressional approval, federal territories south of the Potomac River were restored to the Commonwealth of Virginia. The establishment of an electric trolley line in 1896 brought new growth to the area. The twentieth century brought a re-naming of the county from Alexandria to Arlington in 1920, in order to avid confusion with the nearby City of Alexandria. A post World War II population boom brought unprecedented growth to the area, which has steadily increased and maintained firm economies spanning a diverse range. Maintenance and preservation efforts have remained strong in the area, with a number of residential neighborhoods listed and zoned as Historic Preservation Districts. Throughout the 20th century and into the modern day, Arlington County has continued to keep pace with updates, restoration and renovation, designing new features to promote cultural inclusivity and a broader understanding of history as it applies to the events of the present day. To learn more about the history of Arlington County, its area or the Commonwealth of Virginia, please visit: Tomb of the Unknowns (Tomb of the Unknown Soldier) U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial) United States Air Force Memorial Women in Military Service for America Memorial National Register of Historic Places listings in Arlington County, Virginia Parks and Recreation The mild climate of Arlington County makes most outdoor activities enjoyable and available throughout the seasons: from horseback and ATV riding, hiking, biking and rock climbing to fishing, swimming, sailing, kayaking and canoeing, there’s an adventure awaiting you by land or by water. Equestrian activities, camping, nature watching, nature touring, and picnicking are available at most area parks; no matter what your preference, there’s a place to enjoy it in Arlington. Naturally bordered on the north by the Potomac River and on the west by Minor's Hill and Upton's Hill, there’s a wealth of beauty and preserved nature available to enjoy, which is unique in any large metropolitan area, allowing Arlington County residents to truly enjoy the best of both worlds—urban professionalism meets idyllic, semi-rural landscapes in Arlington. The hospitable climate makes biking a popular year round activity; there are over 86 miles of paved on-street and off-road bicycle trails available to Arlington area bikers, as well as the services of Capital Bikeshare, providing bicycle rentals for commuting or pleasure riding throughout the D.C. Metro area. The municipal, state and national parks of our area offer some of the nation’s finest bird watching, as well as history and nature coming together in the idyllic scenery of Virginia. To learn more about the parks, recreation, sports and activities available in Arlington County, please visit: Arlington County Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Virginia State Park Service and Park Locations Virginia National Parks, Services & Locations Arlington Parks & Community Centers Northern Virginia Regional Parks Authority Northern Virginia Regional Park Locations Potomac Overlook Regional Park & Nature Center Netherlands Carillon National Park Theodore Roosevelt Island national Park Sports and Activities Arlington Football League (AFL) Northern Virginia Majestics Soccer Northern Virginia Royals Soccer Attractions and Activities Though Arlington County is best known for its historic attractions and proximity to the D.C. metro area, the county is culturally diverse and cosmopolitan, offering residents and visitors some of the finest offerings in its museums, cultural attractions, arts exhibitions and theatrical performances. With a historically breathtaking setting, the arts scene of Arlington County is vibrant and thrives with the constant flow of visitors to the city. Our residents enjoy easy access to waterfront activities, theme parks, national museums, upscale shopping and dining destinations, and a diverse choice of entertainment opportunities. With everything from nightclubs and spas to world-class art galleries available, our residents have a busy calendar to choose from. Musical performances, theater events, dance recitals, art exhibits, festivals, and crafts shows are available daily. Wineries, breweries and an exciting array of tours—from historic to natural to ghost-hunting—are all available to experience year round, with special seasonal events scheduled to highlight the civic and natural spirit of the area. To learn more about the cultural, artistic and high-energy attractions of the Arlington County, please visit: Theatre, Culture and the Arts Arlington County Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Wolftrap Foundation for the Performing Arts Shopping, Dining, Leisure and Attractions Arlington Restaurants & Nightlife The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City Georgetown Flea Market at Courthouse Clarendon Ballroom & Rooftop Pavilion Events Geologically, culturally, civically and historically rich, Arlington County is a progressive community that honors its histories and traditions while embracing modernization and technological advancement in their community.The Arlington community calendar is full of festivals and events, changing constantly with seasonal scheduling, and our location makes the area events calendars easy accessible to Arlington residents, ensuring that there’s never a dull moment for Arlington residents! Annual events span a diverse range and ensure that there’s an event scheduled to meet anyone’s taste. Civil War re-enactments, the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Manassas Wine and Jazz Festival, Mid-Atlantic Shamrock Fest, the Gaithersburg Book Festival and the Alexandria Film Festival are area favorites that are not to be missed. To find out what sporting, historic, cultural or ecological events are happening during your time in Arlington County, please visit: Virginia Exhibits and Events Search Guide Virginia Festivals Search Guide Arlington Area Events Calendar Arlington County Calendar of Events National Cherry Blossom Festival Capital Fringe Festival – A Washington, DC Festival of Performing Arts Manassas Wine and Jazz Festival St. Charles Oktoberfest in Clarendon
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