As you know, the capital is the main city of the country, which is the administrative and political center of a certain state. The capitals of the countries of the world usually have all the main judicial, parliamentary and government institutions.
Most often, this territorial unit is considered a separate federal district, and its location is indicated in the constitution of almost every state.
How are the capitals of the world chosen?
This question is generally quite difficult to answer unambiguously. There are several ways.
Sometimes the capital can be distinguished by its status as an independent administrative or federal unit, and sometimes it can be considered, as they say, on a general basis. This is usually the largest city in the country, but not always. There are countries where some cities are much larger than their capitals both in terms of geographical size and population level.
And there are also cases in history when countries for a long time could not unequivocally choose a capital city between two or even three settlements, so this process dragged on for years and evendecades.
What are provisional capitals of the world?
It turns out that there are such territorial units on the political map of the world. What is it, after all, it turns out that even the capitals of large countries of the world may well have such a status?
In general, this concept means the temporary location of the capital's functions in the city, which is the most secure, primarily in connection with the occupation of the country, with a military or some other threat to the current capital, or for other reasons.
The world's most famous temporary capitals
- Kaunas. It was founded in 1280. At the moment, this city in Lithuania occupies a solid second place, both in terms of economic and territorial significance. Now it is the most important cultural and industrial center. Its population is 400 thousand people. During its existence, Kaunas has seen a lot. In the XIII-XV centuries it was considered a strong and important defense and stronghold in the fight against the Teutons, in the XV-XVI centuries it was formed as the largest trading river center. And in 1920, during the occupation of Vilnius by Poland, Kaunas was recognized as a temporary capital.
- Tel Aviv. This city is today one of the largest cultural and economic centers of the country. When the establishment of Israel, an independent state, was proclaimed in 1948, Tel Aviv became its temporary capital.
- Bonn. Those who are interested in the list of countries and capitals of the world cannot but remember such an amazing German city. To date, thisrather large political center of Germany, which has the status and powers of the federal. In 1949, Bonn was recognized as the temporary capital. He was until 1991. And in 1991, after the two Germanys were reunited, Berlin was again declared the capital.
European Capitals of Culture
It is unlikely that anyone will dare to challenge the fact that countries and capitals are primarily associated in our memory with their sights.
Looking into history, one can learn that, in principle, the initiative to determine the European Capital of Culture belongs to the European Union. It consists in choosing a city as the cultural center of the continent every year. Thus, attention is drawn to the cultural progress of the region. What does it give? To be honest, a lot. In addition to fame, due to the fact that a particular city is elected to this role, additional funding is allocated for it. And this is a good reason to significantly improve the condition of cultural attractions, institutions and various infrastructure facilities.
What was the first cultural capital of the planet?
In general, it should be noted that Athens was deservedly proclaimed such a city. This happened in 1983. She proposed this candidacy to the Council of the European Union, Milina Mercury, who at that time held the post of Minister of Culture of Greece.
What did you manage to do? Firstly, roads were repaired in the city with the allocated money and a transport system was established.denouement. For tourists, the problem associated with orienteering and moving around the Greek capital has disappeared. Signs, maps and stands were installed at intersections and stops. Secondly, archaeologists continued to study the Acropolis, as a result of which the most important historical discoveries were made.
On what grounds can the capital be moved?
The transfer of the capital should be understood as the transfer of the functions of the main city of the state from one locality to another. As a rule, the latter is built specifically for these purposes.
Usually such a need arises for several reasons, among which I would like to separately note the following:
- Dispute resolution between two or three cities.
- Overcrowding. As a rule, countries and capitals of Asia face this problem.
- Equal grounds to govern.
- Military threat to a country or a directly existing capital.
- Liberation from the old social life and traditions of government.
- Losing dominance of existing capital state.
Countries of the world with capitals that had to be relocated
Let's consider several options. However, as an example, we propose to take only those cities that have lost the status of the main city of the country due to purely economic or territorial criteria.
- Bergen (Norway). This city is known all over the world for its history and traditions. In it todayday many cultural attractions, scenic spots. And here is seething modern city life. Norwegian Bergen is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as the state's oldest settlement in the Middle Ages.
- Philadelphia (USA). One of the oldest cities in America. It is on the list of political, economic and financial centers. In 1790 it became the first capital of the United States of America.
- Alma-Ata (Kazakhstan). We can say with confidence that today it is an economically developed city, similar to a European one, although it was created back in Soviet times. There are also a huge number of shops, and streets lined up in rows, and, of course, cars standing in traffic jams during rush hour. On the other hand, in our time Alma-Ata remains the most charming creation of Central Asia. It turns out that the contrasts inherent in this region are also present in the city itself.
New capitals of the world
- Brazil is the capital, which is located in the very center of the country. When choosing the site for the construction of this city, the main point was to maintain a large distance between it and other major cities in Brazil - Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The city from a bird's eye view resembles a jet plane in motion. The territorial unit itself has many unusual features. First of all, of course, is the location and architecture. It is these characteristics that make the locals proud and the tourists delighted.
- Cetinje - the capital of Montenegro, a city-museum,founded in the thirteenth century. In the 15th century, when there was a war with Turkey, the current capital was moved to Cetinje due to military danger. This city is located between the limestone mountains in the valley, where the views, respectively, are simply mesmerizing. And the most ancient churches and monasteries add to the townspeople and travelers a special feeling - as if they actually moved into the past. It is not for nothing that this city is called the embodiment of all Montenegro.
- Manila (Philippines) is a conglomerate of 18 cities that form the metropolis. It also combines ultra-modern urban innovations. This is actually a magical place where glass skyscrapers rise above the horizon, and the beaches are almost untouched by man. There are many great diving spots here, and the 500-year-old monasteries and cathedrals are sure to tell everyone about the history of this region.
