Teresa Kargianis, age 17, of Springfield, Ill., for her question:

IS WASHINGTON, D.C., IS CAPITOL HILL ON A HILL?

Washington, D.C., is the capital of the United States. It is oneof the country's most beautiful and historic cities and the site of many of its most popular tourist attractions.  One of the most important attractions is the area called Capitol Hill. It is actually on a hill that rises 88 feet above surrounding ground. It is located near the center of the city. Several huge government buildings stand on the hill including the United States Capitol, congressional office buildings, the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court and the conservatory of the United State Botanic Garden.

Two private institutions also are located on Capitol Hill: the Folger Shakespeare Library and the Museum of African Art.  Members of Congress meet and vote on proposed legislation in the United States Capitol. It is definitely one of the world's most magnificent buildings. It has an enormous dome, many Corinthian columns and a sparkling white marble exterior.  A bronze State of Freedom 19 anda half feet high stands on top of the dome.

The Capitol, including the statue, rises almost 300 feet abovethe ground. It has 540 rooms, many of them containing beautiful paintings, sculptures and wail coverings that portray events and persons important in American history.

Five buildings on Capitol Hill provide space for the members of Congress: the Dirksen and Russell Senate office buildings, both north of the Capitol; and the Cannon, Longworth and Rayburn House of Representatives office buildings, south of the Capitol.  The Library of Congress is probably the world's largest library.  It's collection of more than 70 million items is located in three huge buildings, all located east of the Capitol.

Also east of the Capitol is the Supreme Court building. Here thenine justices of the Supreme Court of the United States decide on the constitutionality of laws and government practices.  STAR BREAK  STAR BREAK

Located on the southwest side of Capitol Hill is the United States Botanic Garden. It exhibits more than10,000 kinds of plants including many rare species.  East of the main Library of Congress building is the Folger Shakespeare

Library, which houses the world's most important collection of works by and about William Shakespeare. Only scholars may use its materials. But the library displays rare books and manuscripts for public viewing. The Museum of African Art is located about two blocks east of the Supreme Court. It exhibits sculptures and other works of art that reflect African Negro culture. It also displays works by black American artists.

A along. Narrow; park like area stretches westward from Capitol Hill. It is called the National Mall and it provides open space amid west central Washington's many huge buildings. On the Mall you'll also find part of the Smithsonian institution, the Washington Monument, a long body of water called the Reflecting Pool and the Lincoln Memorial.