17. Which of the following is the capital of the United States?
Answer: A
Washington, DC is the capital of the United States.
Washington, DC serves as the capital of the United States, housing the federal government and key national institutions.
A) Washington, DC
This option is correct as Washington, DC is the designated capital of the United States. It is the seat of the federal government, containing important buildings such as the White House, the Capitol, and the Supreme Court.
B) New York, NY
New York, NY is incorrect as it was the first capital of the United States under the Articles of Confederation but was replaced by Washington, DC in 1800. While it is a major city and financial capital, it is not the current capital.
C) Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL is not the capital of the United States. Although it is one of the largest cities in the country and holds significant cultural and economic influence, it does not serve as the seat of the federal government.
D) Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, CA is also incorrect. It is a prominent city known for its entertainment industry, but it is not the capital of the United States and does not have the political significance that Washington, DC holds.
Conclusion
Washington, DC is definitively the capital of the United States, as it is the location of the federal government's key institutions and serves as the administrative center of the country. All other options, while important cities, do not fulfill the role of the capital and therefore are incorrect.