Area Code 202

Where Is Area Code 202?

The 202 area code is used for Washington, D.C. As one of the original North American telephone area codes, the Washington, D.C. area code was put into effect in 1947. At this time there is a sufficient amount of unused numbers for the 202 area code still available. Accordingly, plans for an overlay or split are still non-existent for the area code for Washington, D.C. Furthermore, people in area code 202 area permitted to dial local numbers without using the area code. Nevertheless, Washington’s neighbors in Maryland and Virginia must dial ten digit numbers when calling someone just a few miles away.

Area code 202 does not cover a regular city, but rather a district that is not part of any state. As a result, Washington does not have a local government. In fact, Washington is ruled by the federal government, which is based in the 202 area code. However, Washington still has a mayor and a city council even though the ultimate power remains the United States Congress. Undeniably, Washington is the center of American politics, which has made this relatively small district have a population of nearly 600,000 people.

Washington, DC is home to 176 foreign embassies, the Pan American Health Organization, the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. Accordingly, Washington is extremely diverse. In fact, area code 202 has historically diverse ethnicities that reside within the city limits. After the American Revolutionary War, many slave owners freed their slaves and these slaves sought refuge in Washington, D.C. The African American population in Washington has continued to remain high in recent years. More than 50% of Washington’s residents are actually African American.

One would assume that Washington, D.C. is one of the most educated cities in the United States, especially as it is the capital. However, the exact opposite is true. Nearly one-third of residents in the District of Columbia are functionally illiterate. Furthermore, many immigrants in the District are unable to speak English. This unsettling statistic is largely attributed to the approximately 70,000 immigrants that live in Washington.

Area code 202 attracts tourists from all over the world and the United States. Japanese cherry blossom trees function as a backdrop to some of the nation’s most recognizable landmarks. The Reflecting Pool, Washington Monument, Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery of Art, and the United States Holocaust Museum attract millions of visitors each year. In fact, nearly 24 million visitors visit the historic attractions in the 202 area code each year.

A decent portion of the jobs in area code 202 is for the federal government. As a result, unemployment rates in Washington are low compared to the rest of the nation. During times of recession, the federal government must continue with its operations thereby protecting its employees from layoffs. Education also plays a major role in the 202 area code. Georgetown University is located in Washington and is known internationally as one of the most exclusive undergraduate and graduate institutions in the United States. As a research university, Georgetown is continually making breakthroughs in a variety of areas including the sciences. Most recently, Georgetown developed the HPV vaccine in 2006. The HPV vaccine is proven to have protective affects against cervical cancer and the FDA has recently also approved the vaccine for use in males. Furthermore, the law school and medical school at Georgetown have stellar reputations and admission rates of less than 5%.