Many other documents are stored there, including treaties, Presidential papers, and other civil, military and diplomatic records. There are also photographs, newsreels, recordings, maps, and charts of historical interest. In addition to government buildings, Washington has many monuments. The Washington Monument honors the first President of the United States. This simple, beautiful monument is a single white marble needle 555 feet tall.
Visitors can go up to the top, where they get a breathtaking view of the city.
The Lincoln Memorial has 36 marble columns and a seated statue of Lincoln. The third major monument is the Jefferson Memorial. It is a round, columned building with a standing statue of Jefferson in the center. Washington is also noted for its museums. Founded in 1846, the Smithsonian Institution has grown to be the largest museum complex in the world.