Manassas is an independent city surrounded by Prince William County and the independent city of Manassas Park in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Manassas is also the county seat of Prince William County, and it either contains or is close to several important historic sites from the period 1850 – 70. Its population was about 35,135 at the time of the U.S. Census 2000. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Manassas (along with Manassas Park) with Prince William County for statistical purposes. The City of Manassas is part of the Washington Metropolitan Area and it is situated in the Northern Virginia region.