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Agree, most of us will consider it very logical that the capital of the state should be its largest city. Or the most economically developed. Or the one that has the richest history and is known precisely as the main city of this country since antiquity. It turns out that this is not always the case. There are more than three dozen states in the world whose capitals are far from being the most seemingly large and significant (in terms of basic modern parameters) cities. For example, many people sincerely believe that the capital of the United States is New York, but in fact it is Washington. Some stubbornly consider Istanbul to be the main city of Turkey, and not Ankara. Etc. We have chosen for you 10 countries in whose capitals people get confused especially often.
10 China
In fact, most of us are well aware that the capital of China is Beijing – a huge (almost 22 million) city with an ancient history. The main city of China is more than 3 thousand years old, it became the capital of this state 6 times (and the first time was back in the 5th century BC) and was renamed 19 times, finally becoming Beijing in 1949, when the communists came to power in China . But here are some Western citizens who are sure that the capital of China is Shanghai. Because in this city – more than 24 million people, it looks much more advanced (more “futuristic”) than Beijing, and also because it is Shanghai today that is the financial and cultural center of the country.
9. Vietnam
The largest city in Vietnam is Ho Chi Minh City (8,4 million people). It received this name in 1975 (in honor of the first president of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam), and before that it was known as Saigon, the capital of the French colony, and then of independent South Vietnam. By the way, its old name is still actively used. But since 1976, the capital of Vietnam has been not Ho Chi Minh City, but Hanoi (7,6 million inhabitants) – the main political, educational and cultural center of the country. From 1954 to 1976 – during the Vietnamese Civil War (in which, as we know, the United States was very actively involved), – Hanoi was the capital of North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam).
8. New Zealand
The southernmost capital in the world, Wellington, New Zealand, has only 412,5 thousand people. This city, located in the southernmost part of the North Island, is named after the famous British commander, the winner at Waterloo. But on the same North Island (in its northern part) is the city of Auckland, which is more than three times larger than Wellington (its population is 1,6 million people, this is a third of the total number of citizens in the country), and much more developed economically and financially. And yet, the official capital of New Zealand is Wellington.
7. Switzerland
When we hear the name “Switzerland”, then, perhaps, the first city that our memory helpfully pushes to the surface will be Geneva. Of course, because it is here that all sorts of important international meetings and summits so often take place. The second Swiss city, which many of us will also remember without much difficulty, is Zurich, the country’s financial center (yes, it is there that the bulk of reliable and reputable banks are located). But not everyone will remember the official capital of this country – Bern. By the way, Bern is not named the capital in any official document of Switzerland.
6. Australia
Approximately the same situation arises with the capital of Australia. At the mention of this country, the first thing that appears before our mind’s eye is the strange “shells” of the building of the Sydney Opera House and a huge modern city in the background. Yes, Sydney is the largest and oldest city on this “new” (compared to Europe) continent. It is home to 5,13 million people. And by the way, the Sydney economy is 25% of the entire Australian economy. And yet, at the same time, the capital of the country is Canberra, with only 358 thousand people and located inland, and not on the coast.
5. Canada
Canada originates from a French colony founded in what is now Quebec City in 1534. After the country became part of the possessions of the British crown (in the middle of the 18th century), 2 official languages were left in it – English and French. And for a whole century after that, the English-speaking and French-speaking parts of Canada “butted” who was more important. Among other things, it was impossible to determine the single official capital of the country. For 26 years (from 1831 to 1857), the Canadian capital moved 4 times from Toronto to Quebec and back. Everything was accompanied by squabbles and scandals between colonial officials. Finally, this situation finally got tired of Queen Victoria, and she, by her strong-willed decision, appointed Ottawa, the capital of Canada, located exactly on the border of the French and English-speaking provinces. Now 934 thousand people live in Ottawa. It is the 4th largest city in the country and its administrative and cultural center (as well as the center for the development of new technologies). And the “economic locomotive” of Canada is Toronto, a city with a population of 2,73 million people.
4. United Arab Emirates
When the first major oil fields were discovered in the Arab emirate of Abu Dhabi on the Arabian Peninsula in 1958, its largest city (bearing the same name) became the main center of oil production for all the emirates. After the federation of the United Arab Emirates was created in 1971, Abu Dhabi was appointed as its temporary capital until a permanent one, the city of Al-Karama, was built. As a result, the new capital, alas, did not take place. Therefore, since 1996, Abu Dhabi has retained this title forever. Today, approximately 1,15 million people live here. It is the political, economic and cultural center of the UAE (whose contribution to the country’s total GDP is more than 56%). But we (as well as Western citizens) are more familiar with another city in the UAE – Dubai. It is more luxurious, brighter, there are always crowds of rich tourists. In addition, it is the 2,7 millionth Dubai that is recognized as the trade and financial center of the entire Middle East at the international level.
3. India
For a century and a half (from 1757 to 1911), the capital of the then British India was Calcutta, located on the east coast of the country. But at the very beginning of the 20th century, the British administration considered that India would be much more convenient to manage from the ancient city of Delhi, located in the north of this country. The current capital of India – New Delhi – is interesting (and even unique) in that it is just an area of greater Delhi (a city with almost 17 million people). The 300th New Delhi received its status in 1991, according to the 69th amendment to the country’s constitution. And the largest city in India (if satellite cities are taken into account) is Mumbai – the former Bombay – with its 21,3 million people.
2. Brazil
There is no doubt that most people, if asked about which city is the capital of Brazil, will immediately answer: “Rio de Janeiro!” And here is nothing of the kind. In fact, according to the Brazilian constitution of 1891, the capital of the country must be the city located in its geographical center. And since 1960, this has been Brasilia. (And before that, quite rightly, Rio was the main city of the country for two whole centuries). Now 2,6 million people live in Brasilia, this city is the center of the executive, legislative and judicial power of Brazil. And this is despite the fact that, for example, 6,5 million live in Rio (and with its agglomerations – all 12 million), and this is a major seaport and scientific center of the country. And the largest city in Brazil (and its real financial and economic “heart”) is Sao Paulo, where there are more than 12 million inhabitants.
1. South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is the most economically developed and, perhaps, the most politically significant country on the entire African continent. This state is multinational (there are only 11 official languages here). Representatives of all major races live in South Africa: whites, Asians, blacks and, of course, mestizos. Until the 1990s, there was an apartheid regime in the country (discrimination against the “colored” population), then the situation turned in the opposite direction – the white population is increasingly being oppressed and persecuted. That is, the state is a very difficult one. Moreover, to such an extent that South Africa has as many as 3 capitals: the government is located in Pretoria (the administrative capital), whose population is 750 thousand people; parliament – in the legislative capital of Cape Town (population – 3,75 million); and the supreme court in Bloemfontein (260). And the largest city in South Africa is Johannesburg (4,5 million).