How can I make those Wikipedia colored maps?

Why do some maps of modern Washington, DC still show the full old square?

• Here's a freeway map of DC http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DC_freeway_map.svg Here's a DC area road map http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DC_Area_Road_Map.svg Here's a general map of DC with the full old square http://www.usa-decouverte.com/est/washington_dc/washington_dc_map.html Now, here are 2 maps of the DC area, which does show an imperfect square and does take into account the boundaries of Arlington County and the City of Alexandria. You can see the imperfections on the western part of the map on what their boundaries are now. The first map is also a road map by the way. http://www.aaccessmaps.com/show/map/us/dc/dcmetro_beltway http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/usstates/washdc.htm So, why is the full square of Washington, DC that existed before its retrocession, when the western part of the city west of the Potomac River was given back to Virginia in what is now Arlington County and the City of Alexandria, is shown on many maps of modern Washington, DC, but not on other maps of modern Washington, DC? What's the purpose for that? Falls Church, Alexandria, and Arlington don’t make the DC area look so square anymore since they annexed land next to them in the past. Also, these cities west of the Potomac aren’t part of DC anymore, so I don’t know why the outline that forms the half square on the left side would still be there on some modern DC maps.

• Answer:

  Well William, You seem to have some complicated questions these days. I lived in DC (sorry) Arlington for about 5 years. We lived way up in the cranniest, western corner, on the highest hill, (a Mecca for skateboarders) only a few blocks from Falls Church. (Montana St.) From our back yard it dropped off so steep you couldn't really even WALK in our back yard. The hill was covered with the most wonderful-smelling yellow roses you ever imbibed. This afforded us a wonderful view view, even from the basement window, due east (I suppose it was) of the Washington Monument. (Pretty much at the center of the "diamond".) There are plenty of reasons for the "ceding" of the Virginia side back to the State, not the least of which would have been the affinity of holding slaves by Virginia. Anyhow, to bring things up to date. Washington Lee High School (my Alma what'sit) was one of the first schools in the south to go ahead and de-segregate, owing probably to the close proximity to the federal govt. and being INSIDE the Diamond. The Pentagon is ALSO inside, as well as sundry other agencies. It is for practical purposes PART of DC. Dulles airport is WAY out of the Diamond as well as tons of the "burbs" where all those commuting government workers and lobbyists sleep (if they still can). Knowing, if they COULD, they would be just itching to get it all back. In FACT, they'd probably like to grab the land all the way to Luray. But the Diamond, Will: it's there to stay!!