In the northwest of Washington, D.C., sits the city of Bethesda, a census-designated place. Named for a church, Bethesda Meeting House, which was built in 1820, Bethesda is a suburban community with a number of government and corporate headquarters. Bethesda is about 13.1 square miles, or 34 km2, and is located just west of the city of Silver Spring.
The city is located on the Potomac River between southern Maryland and northern Virginia. While not surrounded by the Chesapeake Bay, Bethesda has a varied climate. The mildest months are September, May, June, and February, while winters are colder and snowier. However, the majority of Bethesda residents are US citizens. Despite this, the city is home to a relatively large minority of foreign-born residents.