Fairfax, Independent city in northern Virginia, United States
Fairfax is an independent city in northern Virginia with a population of about 24,000, surrounded by the Washington metropolitan area. The center lies roughly 16 miles (26 km) west of the capital and consists of a mix of residential and commercial neighborhoods with small parks and tree-lined streets.
Originally called Providence, the place received its town charter in 1805 before being renamed after Thomas Fairfax, an 18th-century British nobleman. The city gained independence from Fairfax County in 1961 and has operated as a separate jurisdiction ever since.
Streets downtown carry historic names, and many older brick buildings stand beside modern shops and restaurants. On the George Mason University campus, students and visitors gather in cafés and libraries that remain open throughout the year.
Visitors can reach the center via Interstate 66 or take the Metro to Vienna station and transfer to local bus lines from there. Most facilities are within walking distance once you arrive downtown.
The city serves as the administrative seat of the surrounding county but legally sits outside its borders. This arrangement means residents of the city and county pay different taxes and are governed by separate municipal administrations.
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