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Foggy Bottom
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Foggy Bottom

neighborhood, Washington, D.C., United States
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Quick Summary

Foggy Bottom is a neighborhood in Washington, D.C., located west of Downtown, between the White House and Georgetown. Its name originates from its past as an industrial area with wharves, warehouses, and factories, where smoke and humidity would create fog.1

Historically, Foggy Bottom housed industries and attracted German immigrants. Over time, it transformed into a low-income neighborhood. However, the area has seen significant development, particularly with the expansion of George Washington University, which is now a major landowner. The construction of buildings like the Department of the Interior and the Watergate complex, along with the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, has further reshaped the neighborhood.1

The U.S. Department of State is also located in Foggy Bottom, leading to the term "Foggy Bottom" being used metonymically to refer to the department itself.2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
  1. Foggy Bottom
  2. Washington, D.C. - Foggy Bottom

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