Washington District of Columbia April 1998 Washington D.C., the capitol of the United States, is located on the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers. The Potomac River enters the scene midway between the left center and upper left of the image and exits the scene at the bottom center of the image. The state of Virginia lies to the west of the Potomac River, the state of Maryland to the north and east of the Potomac River. The runways of Andrews Air Force Base are visible east-southeast of Washington D. C. near the right center of the image