Potomac

Potomac, river of the eastern United States, formed by its own North Branch and South Branch, which rise in north-eastern West Virginia and unite below Cumberland, Maryland. From this point the river winds about 460 km (285 mi) south-east before emptying into Chesapeake Bay. It forms part of the boundary between West Virginia and Maryland and also separates Virginia from both Maryland and the District of Columbia. Large ships can go up the Potomac as far as Washington, D.C. The Potomac's principal tributaries are the Shenandoah and Monocacy rivers. Mount Vernon—the home of George Washington—Anacostia, and other historic sites are located on its banks.