The Nacotchtank are an indigenous Algonquian people who lived in the area of what is now Washington, D.C. during the 17th century. The Nacotchtank village was situated within the modern borders of the District of Columbia along the intersection of two major rivers— the Potomac and the Anacostia. The name Nacotchtank, which exists in several historical variants including Nacostine, Anacostine, Anaquashtank, Nacothtant, Nachatanke, is derived from the word "anaquashatanik", which means "a town of traders." The Nacotchtank were a trading people as they were established on fertile land with the nearby rivers. In his 1608 expedition, English explorer John Smith noted the prosperous Nacotchtank and their great supply of various resources.