Why there are no buildings taller than the Capitol in Washington D.C.?

The Capitol in Washington, D.C. is a major building located in the center of Washington, DC, USA, which is a symbol of American democracy and the center of the legislative power of the United States. The Capitol consists of two main buildings: the House of Representatives and the US Senate, united by a dome. Inside the Capitol is a luxurious meeting room where members of Congress gather to hold meetings and make decisions. The Capitol is also a popular tourist destination and one of the most famous architectural landmarks in the United States.

There are no buildings higher than the Capitol in Washington due to legal restrictions. In 1899, the US Congress passed a law limiting the height of buildings in the central part of the city. The law sets a maximum building height of 40 meters for most streets in central Washington. Thus, the tallest buildings in Washington usually do not exceed the height of the Capitol, which is about 88 meters. Such a limited height of buildings helps to preserve the historical face of the city and provide an open view of architectural monuments, such as the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Monument and others.

This video from Cheddar is an episode of their “Cheddar Explains” series and explains why there are no tall buildings in downtown Washington DC, other than the Capitol complex. The video reveals the historical and cultural context behind Washington’s building height restrictions that make the city unique compared to other major US cities. The video also provides interesting facts about the architecture and buildings of Washington, which help to better understand its history and atmosphere.