Difference between revisions of "Capital city"
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| − | A '''capital city''' is the main administrative and governmental | + | A '''capital city''' is the main administrative and governmental center of a nation. It is generally home to the head of state (the [[monarch]] or [[president]]), to the [[parliament]] or general assembly, and the highest courts of the land. Most world capitals comply with these rules; a notable exception is in the [[Netherlands]], whose capital, [[Amsterdam]], is the home of the monarch, but the home of government is [[The Hague]]. |
| − | The capital need not be the largest city in a nation. The [[United States]] capital, [[Washington D.C.]], is far from being the largest city, and the same applies to the Canadian capital [[Ottawa]], the Australian capital [[Canberra]] and a host of others. Especially in new nations like the US and Australia, a new capital is established, or a small, uncontentious city chosen, to defuse rivalry between other larger cities. | + | The capital need not be the largest city in a nation. The [[United States]] capital, [[Washington D.C.]], is far from being the largest city, and the same applies to the Canadian capital [[Ottawa]], the Australian capital [[Canberra]] and a host of others. Especially in new nations like the US and Australia, a new capital is established, or a small, uncontentious city is chosen, to defuse rivalry between other larger cities. |
| − | As well as dominating politically, capital cities can often (although not invariably) dominate in commercial and cultural terms as well. Cities such as [[London]] and [[Paris]] have a political, economic and cultural hegemony. However, while [[Berlin]] is the capital of [[Germany]], the main German financial centre is [[Frankfurt]], and that of the United States is [[New York City]], which also, with [[Los Angeles]], is one of the nation's two 'media' capitals. | + | As well as dominating politically, capital cities can often (although not invariably) dominate in commercial and cultural terms as well. Cities such as [[London]] and [[Paris]] have a political, economic, and cultural hegemony. However, while [[Berlin]] is the capital of [[Germany]], the main German financial centre is [[Frankfurt]], and that of the United States is [[New York City]], which also, with [[Los Angeles]], is one of the nation's two 'media' capitals. |
[[Category:Geography]] | [[Category:Geography]] | ||
Latest revision as of 00:38, November 5, 2025
A capital city is the main administrative and governmental center of a nation. It is generally home to the head of state (the monarch or president), to the parliament or general assembly, and the highest courts of the land. Most world capitals comply with these rules; a notable exception is in the Netherlands, whose capital, Amsterdam, is the home of the monarch, but the home of government is The Hague.
The capital need not be the largest city in a nation. The United States capital, Washington D.C., is far from being the largest city, and the same applies to the Canadian capital Ottawa, the Australian capital Canberra and a host of others. Especially in new nations like the US and Australia, a new capital is established, or a small, uncontentious city is chosen, to defuse rivalry between other larger cities.
As well as dominating politically, capital cities can often (although not invariably) dominate in commercial and cultural terms as well. Cities such as London and Paris have a political, economic, and cultural hegemony. However, while Berlin is the capital of Germany, the main German financial centre is Frankfurt, and that of the United States is New York City, which also, with Los Angeles, is one of the nation's two 'media' capitals.