Alexandria, Virginia is a great place to visit, live and work. With more than 250 years of history, this hometown of George Washington still retains much of the character and charm from its' earlier days as a bustling port city. In addition, Alexandria is ranked as one of the top "Big Cities for Doing Business" and is ranked among the nation's "Best Cities for Women" by Ladies Home Journal Magazine. The magazine ranked Alexandria as the best city in the nation for Child Care and first in Education, highlighting the wealth of opportunities and services available in this historic Northern Virginia city.

Alexandria boasts citizens who are noted for their participation in local government and their strong sense of community. That is not strange since Alexandria played host to such famous Americans as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison, the Marquis de Lafayette and Robert E. Lee. The National League of Cities cited Alexandria as one of only six cities in the nation to receive the coveted "Innovation Award for Outstanding Community Building." Whether you live, work or visit here, you will love Alexandria, Virginia.

Alexandria is located in Northern Virginia, right across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. The city encompasses 15.75 square miles at an average elevation of 30 feet above sea level. Much of present-day Alexandria was included in a 6,000 acre land grant from Sir William Berkeley, Governor of Virginia, which was awarded to Robert Howsing, an English ship captain, on October 21, 1669. The grant was made by King Charles II in recognition of Captain Howsing's bringing 120 people to live in Virginia.

Incorporated in 1779, Alexandria became a port of entry for foreign vessels and a major export center for flour and hemp. In 1789, Alexandria and a portion of Fairfax County were ceded by the State of Virginia to become a part of the newly created 10-mile-square District of Columbia. Formally accepted by Congress in 1801, Alexandria remained under the aegis of the new federal government until it was returned to Virginia in 1847. In 1852, Alexandria acquired city status and a new charter.

Alexandria, which is almost 50 years older than the City of Washington, is one of America's most historic communities. It has many authentic eighteenth-century buildings, and the charm of the "Old and Historic District" is carefully preserved by strict architectural and demolition control. Alexandria began its historic preservation and urban renewal projects in the 1960s, achieved through the cooperation of citizen activists and local government.

The Torpedo Factory was built during World War 1 and was again used in World War II as a United States munitions factory. Before its renovation in the late 1970s and early 1980s, its ten heavy industrial buildings dominated the Alexandria waterfront. Today, it is an award-winning example of adaptive reuse and the centerpiece of a lively waterfront with a marina, shops, public parks and walkways, restaurants, residences, and offices.

Since 1988, Alexandria has experienced unprecedented commercial development. Today, the Old Town historic district is known for its array of museums, architecture, special events, fine restaurants and hotels, and other attractions that draw 1.5 million international and domestic visitors to it each year. More than two million square feet of new office complexes have been constructed. With this development, Alexandria has become home for divisional, regional and multi-national headquarters for operations ranging from research and development to technology, associations, and professional services.

A cross section of headquarters operations that have expanded or relocated to Alexandria includes the Public Broadcasting Service, American Diabetes Association, TRW, AT&T, Technology Applications, Capitol Publications, Fokker Aircraft USA, Softec, and the American Society for Training and Development.

Alexandria is in a unique location to provide excellent commuting options for its residents. Amtrak trains stop at the historic rail station on King Street as does Virginia Railway Express, the Northern Virginia commuter rail system. Metro, the Metropolitan Washington subway system has four stations in Alexandria, which gives residents easy access to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, the Pentagon and Washington, D.C. Metrobus also provides similar access for the residents of Alexandria.

Alexandria has approximately 138,000 residents. There are 11,000 students in the Alexandria Public School System. Although small enough to feel like a family, the school system is large enough to command the resources for state-of-the-art teaching and learning. Today's educational technology can no longer be seen as merely a learning tool. Technology is rapidly becoming the environment in which students, teachers, and administrators work every day. Recognized as one of the most technology-rich school systems in Virginia, Alexandria City Public Schools provide teachers with notebook computers and boasts a 3-to-1 ratio of students to computers compared to a 6-to-1 ratio across Virginia.

A report on Alexandria that omitted reference to Gadsby's Tavern would be incomplete. Gadsby's Tavern Museum consists of two buildings, a circa 1785 tavern and the 1792 City Hotel. The buildings are named for Englishman John Gadsby who operated them from 1796 to 1808. The establishment was a center of political, business, and social life in early Alexandria. The tavern was the setting for dancing assemblies, theatrical and musical performances, and meetings of local organizations. George Washington enjoyed the hospitality provided by the tavern keepers. Take a moment to journey back to the 18th-century tavern and hotel where famous historical figures and everyday people ate and slept. A visit to Alexandria, Virginia would not be complete without a visit to this famous historical site.

Virginia has played a major role in America's development during the colonial period, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and is in the front line of America's national defense even today. Alexandria has been and will continue to be a proud contributor to Virginia's history and economic development.