Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 4.3
The enlarged Tian An Men Square after the founding of New China
1
Tian An Men,
2
Qian Men (Zheng Yang Men) and Archery Tower,
3
Monument of People's
Heroes,
4
Great Hall of the People,
5
Museum of Chinese History and Museum of Chinese
Revolution,
6
Chairman Mao's Memorial Hall,
7
Dong and Xi Jiao Min Xiang
President George Washington to decide on the site of the capital. The president
surveyed and inspected in person the prospective location and fi nally decided on the
present site of the capital. It is situated in the central part of the Atlantic seacoast, on
a triangular area between the Potomac River and its eastern tributary called the
Anacostia River or the Eastern Branch. The site is a plain with slightly inclining
slopes. There is a hill in the middle of the plain. It looked prominent and was called,
at that time, Jenkins Hill. Borderlines of private properties crisscrossed the whole
area. Most of the land was covered by wild woods, with marshlands dotted on the
plain. It was in fact an area not wholly cultivated. On the northern part of the triangu-
lar district, the land rose and several rivers and creeks fl owed down the slope. The
most well known was Goose Creek which fl ows along the foot of Jenkins Hill and
then turns westward to join the Potomac. Two small settlements were respectively
established on the tip of the triangle and at the northwestern corner. Only a few
