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Explore 2 UCPlaces digital self-guided tours in Sterling

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Egyptian Museum

Did you ever wonder where the Internet actually is? Welcome to the Capitol of the Internet — right here in Northern Virginia, where up to 70% of the world’s online traffic passes through every single day. But don’t expect monuments, fountains, or marble domes. In this capital city, the architecture is all business — massive, windowless fortresses quietly pulsing with energy. Instead of statues of presidents, you’ll find rows of chillers and generators keeping the cloud alive. This is Data Center Alley, the world’s most connected neighborhood — the physical heart of the Internet. The “cloud”? It’s not floating in the sky; it’s humming behind these concrete walls. Every photo you upload, every video you stream, every “Alexa!” you shout — chances are, it passes right through one of these buildings. Inside, the security is next-level — part NASA, part Mission Impossible. Servers are sealed behind biometric gates, steel doors, and enough surveillance to make James Bond feel underdressed. Even employees can’t just stroll in — it takes background checks, codes, and at least one very serious guard who probably hasn’t smiled since Windows XP. So why take this tour? Because this might be the only place in the world where you can see the Internet — without Wi-Fi. You’ll meet the digital giants — Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and more — not by their logos, but by their cooling towers and substation grids. The bigger the chillers, the bigger the cloud. You’ll also discover the scale of it all: acres of land, billions of watts of electricity, and fiber cables thinner than spaghetti, carrying the world’s information faster than a heartbeat. So buckle up, digital tourist — this is your guided drive through the Capitol of the Internet. It may not have monuments or fountains, but it holds something far more powerful — the cloud itself. Your cat videos, TikToks, Facebook posts, bank data, news feeds, and even government platforms — all locked safely behind concrete walls and steel cages. Welcome to the boxy cloud — the world’s most guarded neighborhood, and the true home of the Internet.

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Egyptian Museum

Hello, and welcome to the UCPlaces “Where to Live” tour of Sterling, Virginia. My name is Tim and I’ll be showing you around. First, a little about myself. After a 28 year career in the Federal Government, I moved on to a career in real estate. In my free time, I like to travel and play guitar. I’ve also made it my goal to get back into running. If after this tour you would like to learn more about the Sterling area, give me a call at (703) 439-7001 or send me an email - tshamble@gmail.com. Now, a little about Sterling. Sterling is located in Virginia’s Loudoun County, nestled right on the Virginia/Maryland border. It is part of the greater Washington, DC metro area and just minutes from the Dulles International airport. With its close proximity to the scenic Potomac River and easy access to the W&OD trail, Sterling often attracts outdoor enthusiasts. So whether you like activities like kayaking, fishing, biking, or running, or you just want to take a break from the hustle of Washington, D.C, Sterling is the place for you. To start this tour, meet me over by the Sterling Park Golf Club.