The hub of national politics and a center of international interaction, Washington, D.C. is a bustling city rich with history and cultural flavor from around the globe. Walking between the government buildings, the sense of history and power in the downtown area is almost overwhelming. Some of the nation's most recognized buildings circle the National Mall, including the towering Washington Monument, the Capitol Building, the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian museums. Institutions such as Georgetown University and American University round out the city's reputation as a place of higher learning and modern culture.