Neighborhoods in Washington, D.C. are distinguished by their history, culture, architecture, demographics, and geography. The names of 131 neighborhoods are unofficially defined by the D.C. Office of Planning. Neighborhoods can be defined by the boundaries of historic districts, Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, civic associations, and business improvement districts (BIDs); these boundaries will overlap.
As the capital of the United States, Washington's local neighborhood history and culture is often presented as being distinct from that of the national government.