The term "U.S." is synonymous with several other phrases that refer to the United States of America. Some of these include "USA," "United States," and "America." Additionally, the United States is often colloquially referred to as "the States" or simply "the US." When referring specifically to the federal government of the United States, the term "Washington" is sometimes used, in reference to the city where many of the government's institutions are located. Depending on the context, there may be additional synonyms used as well, such as "North America" or "the New World," which are broader terms referencing the geographical region that includes the United States.