Alexandria is located approximately 7 miles going southward of downtown Washington, DC. Modern Alexandria has been dramatically influenced by the United States’ capital, just like the rest of Northern Virginia. The city is currently populated mainly by working professionals who are working in the federal civil service, the United States military, or from one of the numerous private companies who are also providing their services to the federal government. Historically, the city was known as the Old Town. The modern landscape of Alexandria has a significant concentration of restaurants, boutiques, theaters, antique shops, and others, which are a considerable draw for the residents.