District of Columbia retrocession is the process of returning the land that was given to the federal government for the original purpose of creating the national capital. The District of Columbia was formed in 1791 from of land ceded by the states of Maryland and Virginia in accordance with the Residence Act. The area of that was originally ceded by Virginia was returned to that state in 1847. The District's current area consists of the remaining of territory originally ceded by Maryland. Returning the remaining portion of the District of Columbia to the state of Maryland is cited as a way to provide full voting representation in Congress and return local control of the city to its residents.