Agree, most of us find it very logical that the capital of the state should be its largest city. We have selected for you 10 countries in the capitals of which people are often confused.
10. China
In fact, most of us are well aware that Beijing is the capital of China - 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 for the first time - back in the 5th century BC) and was renamed 19 times, becoming Beijing finally in 1949, when the Communists came to power in China . But here are some Westerners who are sure that the capital of China is Shanghai. Because this city has more than 24 million people, it looks much more advanced (more "futuristic") than Beijing, and also because it is Shanghai today - the financial and cultural center of the country.
9. Vietnam
The largest city in Vietnam is Ho Chi Minh City (8.4 million people). He received this name in 1975 (in honor of the first president of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam), and before that he 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 not been Ho Chi Minh City, but Hanoi (7.6 million inhabitants) - the country's main political, educational and cultural center. From 1954 to 1976 - during the civil war in Vietnam (in which, as we know, the USA participated very actively), - Hanoi was the capital of North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam).
8. New Zealand
The most southern capital in the world is New Zealand Wellington, with a total of 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 the size of Wellington (its population is 1.6 million people, this is a third of the total number of citizens in the country), and it is much more developed economically and financially. Nevertheless, the official capital of New Zealand is Wellington.
7. Switzerland
When we hear the name “Switzerland”, then perhaps the first city that helpfully pushes our memory to the surface will be Geneva. Of course, because it is here that all kinds of important international meetings and summits are held so often. The second Swiss city, which many of us will also remember without much difficulty, is Zurich, the country's financial center (yes, that’s where the main number of reliable and reputable banks are located). But the official capital of this country - Berne - will be remembered by no means all. 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 mental gaze is the strange "shells" of the Sydney Opera House and the huge modern city in the background. Yes, Sydney is the largest and oldest city on this “new” (compared to Europe) continent. 5.13 million people live in it. And by the way, Sydney’s economy is 25% of Australia’s total economy. And yet, at the same time, the capital of the country is Canberra, with only 358 thousand people and located in the depths of the mainland, and not on the coast.
5. Canada
Canada originates from the French colony, based on the place where the city of Quebec is now located, 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 another century after that, the English-speaking and French-speaking parts of Canada "butted" who is more important. Among other things, it was not possible to determine the single official capital of the country. For 26 years (from 1831 to 1857), the Canadian capital 4 times moved from Toronto to Quebec and back. Everything was accompanied by a squabble and scandals between colonial officials. Finally, this situation finally bothered Queen Victoria, and by her willful decision she appointed Ottawa, located precisely on the border of the French and English-speaking provinces, by her willful decision. 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 a 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. UAE
When the first large oil fields were discovered in the Arab Emirate in Abu Dhabi on the Arabian Peninsula in 1958, its largest city (bearing the same name) became the main oil production center of all emirates. After the Federation of the United Arab Emirates was created in 1971, Abu Dhabi appointed it the provisional capital until a permanent one was built - the city of Al-Qarama. 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. This 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 Westerners) are better known for another UAE city - Dubai. It is more luxurious, more vibrant, there are always crowds of wealthy tourists. In addition, it is precisely the 2.7 millionth Dubai that is recognized as the commercial and financial center of the entire Middle East at the international level.
3. India
One and a half centuries (from 1757 to 1911), the capital of 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 decided that it would be much more convenient to manage India 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 the area of big Delhi (a city with almost 17 million people). The 300,000th New Delhi received its status in 1991, according to the 69th amendment to the country's constitution. And the largest city in India (considering satellite cities) is Mumbai - the former Bombay - with its 21.3 million people.
2. Brazil
There is no doubt that most people, if you ask them which city is the capital of Brazil, will immediately reply: “Rio de Janeiro!” And there’s nothing of the kind. In fact, according to the Brazilian constitution of 1891, the capital of the country should be a 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 centuries). Now, 2.6 million people live in Brasilia, this city is the focus of the executive, legislative and judicial powers 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 São Paulo, with 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, naturally, mestizos. Until the 1990s, the country had an apartheid (discrimination against the “colored” population), then the situation turned in the opposite direction - the oppressed and persecuted side is increasingly the white population. That is, the state is very difficult. 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 thousand). And the largest city in South Africa is Johannesburg (4.5 million).