Alexandria sits along the Potomac River in Northern Virginia, directly across from Washington, D.C., and shares borders with Arlington County and Fairfax County. The city encompasses distinct areas including Old Town's historic waterfront, the Del Ray and Arlandria neighborhoods along Mount Vernon Avenue, the Eisenhower Avenue corridor, and the West End near Landmark Mall. As part of the Washington metropolitan area, Alexandria's economy centers on federal contractors, defense agencies, nonprofits, and professional services, with a significant portion of residents commuting to D.C. or working at nearby installations like Fort Belvoir.