The Tidal Basin, Washington, DC

In a recent visit to Washington, DC, I learned that the Tidal Basin was constructed from swamps along the Potomac River. Here is a short explanation from Wikipedia: Tidal Basin.

The Tidal Basin is a partially man-made reservoir between the Potomac River and the Washington Channel in Washington, D.C. It is part of West Potomac Park and is a focal point of the National Cherry Blossom Festival held each spring. The Jefferson Memorial, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, and the George Mason Memorial are situated adjacent to the Tidal Basin. The basin covers an area of about 107 acres (43 ha) and is 10 feet (3.0 m) deep.

When you are walking in the western part of the Mall, most of the time, you cannot see the city at all. It is an interesting experience to be in a large metropolitan city and appear to be in the forest or in a huge park. But there are still thousands of people to remind you it is all an illusion.