What is the capital of the United States?

The capital of the United States is Washington, D.C. This city serves as the seat of the federal government and is home to important government institutions, including the White House, the Capitol Building, and the Supreme Court. Washington, D.C. was established as the capital in 1800, primarily to serve as a neutral ground for the country's government, separating political power from any individual state’s influence.

New York City, while historically significant as the first capital of the United States under the Constitution from 1789 to 1790, is not the current capital. Los Angeles and Chicago, on the other hand, are major cities with significant cultural and economic importance but do not serve as the capital of the United States. Thus, Washington, D.C. is the correct answer as it fulfills the role of the capital city, housing the main governmental structures and functioning as the political hub of the nation.