The streets in Washington, D.C. run three ways: east-west, north-south,
and diagonally. East-west streets are designated alphabetically; north-south
streets are designated numerically; diagonal streets have state names. The
alphabetical designations of the streets running east-west begin on each side
of East Capitol Street and the Mall. The first street on each is A, the next is
B, the third is C; on thru Y; with no J, X or Z Streets and I shown by Eye. Once
the letters of the alphabet are exhausted, the streets have two-syllable names,
then three syllable names, and then names of trees and flowers. Sometimes hits
system is referred to as the first, second, third and fourth alphabets. The
numerical designations of the streets running north-south begin on each side of
North and South Capitol Streets. The first street on each side is First Street,
the next is Second Street, and so on. North, South and East Capitol Streets and
the Mall divide Washington, D.C. into four sections: Northwest, Northeast, Southwest
and Southeast. The streets are identified by the section of the city in which they are location. For
example: C Street NW, C Street NE, C Street SW and C Street SE.
