7 countries with more than one capital, and the reasons behind it

Did you know there are many countries that have more than one capitals? Well, many would guess that usually a country will have one capital city where all the big decisions happen. Interestingly, not every country follows this thumb rule. Reasons might vary, like they have more than one capitals for historical, administrative, or climatic reasons. In other words, these countries have split their power hubs in ways that might make travellers do a double-take. But why split capitals, you ask? From balancing political power to avoiding overcrowding, countries with multiple capitals usually have practical reasons behind the split. Sometimes it’s history, sometimes geography, and sometimes a mix of politics and planning. For curious travellers, it’s indeed a fun quirk, for which they might need a few extra plane or bus tickets to see all the “capitals” of a single country. Here’s a quirky look at seven countries with more than one capital and the reasons behind it.

Each of South Africa's three capitals has a distinct function. Cape Town is the legislative capital, Bloemfontein is the judicial capital, and Pretoria is the administrative capital. It's interesting to note that these capital cities are positioned strategically across the nation. South Africa's complicated political and cultural history, which was influenced by colonialism during the Victorian era, is partially responsible for the country's three-capital structure.

Bolivia's government is currently located in La Paz, which also functions as the country's administrative capital. In contrast, Sucre is the nation's original capital, the constitutional capital, and, as per the most recent constitution, the recognised legal capital. This divide has been a source of conflict; fewer than 150 years ago, the Sucrean people even waged a civil war against La Paz in order to claim their true capital.

The Hague and Amsterdam are the two capital cities of the Netherlands. After the French were defeated in 1814, Amsterdam was designated as the official and royal capital. The government, the national legislature, and the International Court of Justice are all located in The Hague, which functions as the administrative capital. As a result, The Hague serves as the nation's primary administrative and legal hub, while Amsterdam continues to be the cultural and symbolic centre of the Netherlands, which borders Belgium and Germany.

Jayawardenepura Sri Colombo is the nation's commercial hub, whereas Kotte is the administrative capital and home to the national assembly. The government established a dual-capital arrangement by moving administrative duties to Kotte in order to relieve traffic in Colombo. As a result, Sri Lanka and South Korea are the only two Asian nations with two capitals.

Santiago and Valparaíso, Chile's two capitals, are only 72 miles apart. The largest city, Santiago, is the official capital and a busy centre with many structures and tourism attractions. In 1990, the national assembly was relocated to Valparaíso, a city renowned for its scenic scenery and maritime appeal, as part of Chile's efforts to decentralise authority following the Pinochet era. The nation's political and administrative activities are more balanced because of this dual-capital arrangement.

Malaysia's two capital cities are Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. Kuala Lumpur is the place where the monarch rules, laws are made, and the nightlife never ends, which serves as the official capital. However, to give KL a respite, the government built the contemporary, planned city of Putrajaya around a man-made lake in 1995, which now oversees the judiciary, administrative offices, and the prime minister's official residence while showcasing its modern cityscape as part of the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC), which also includes the renowned Petronas Twin Towers and KL International Airport. In other words, Kuala Lumpur serves as Malaysia's energetic heart, while Putrajaya is its brain.

Tanzania's capital cities are Dar es Salaam and Dodoma. The main government offices of the country are situated in Dodoma, which has been the formal capital since 1996. Administrative control was taken into consideration when choosing the city. In the meantime, a significant amount of the government's day-to-day operations are still managed by Dar es Salaam, the biggest city, historic capital, and economic hub. With Ikulu, the state palace, several government buildings, and foreign embassies, it remains Tanzania's political and economic centre.