Arlington

views updated May 11 2018

Arlington County in n Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. Since 1943 it has been the location of the Pentagon. The 200ha (500acre) Arlington National Cemetery (1864), built on the former estate of Robert E. Lee contains the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a memorial amphitheatre, and the graves of many servicemen and prominent Americans. Originally a part of the District of Columbia, it was made a county of Virginia in 1847. Pop. (2000) 189,453.

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