Alexandria is located in Northern Virginia along the western shore of the Potomac River. Because it is an independent city, it is not part of any county, though it is bordered by Arlington County to the northwest and Fairfax County to the south and west. Across the Potomac River lies Prince George's County, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.
The city's physical geography is characterized by its location on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, situated just below the Piedmont fall line. The landscape is mostly urbanized, yet it maintains significant green space, including a continuous stretch of parks along the riverfront. Natural resources historically revolved around the river's deep-water port capabilities, but today the geography is prized primarily for its scenic waterfront, urban canopy, and strategic location within the National Capital Region.