Posts tagged Place Names
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Many people use ZIP codes to determine place names. Here’s why that doesn’t work well.
In unincorporated areas, the names the US Postal Service associates with ZIP codes are commonly used to label a place. However, that’s a flawed method — here’s why. Keep reading…
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Where you live is obviously important. But around here, it’s not that easy to define.
When we think of a “town” or “city” we might imagine a place with fixed boundaries and its own government, with a mayor and council. That's how communities are organized in most of the United States. But in much of Maryland and Virginia, “city government” doesn't really exist. Keep reading…
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There’s a “Washington” neighborhood in Milan, Italy
Milan, Italy’s second largest city, has a neighborhood named “Washington.” Its main street: Via Giorgio Washington. Keep reading…
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How did Silver Spring get its boundaries? And how would you define them?
You could ask five residents what Silver Spring’s boundaries are and receive five different answers, ranging from a neighborhood near the DC line to a city the size of the District of Columbia itself. But how did it end up this way to begin with? The answer involves a railroad, zip codes, and possibly Marion Barry. Keep reading…