MEPX
Chapter 8 of 10All chapters
  1. 1What a capital is
  2. 2Europe
  3. 3Asia
  4. 4Africa
  5. 5The Americas
  6. 6Oceania
  7. 7Purpose-built capitals
  8. 8Capitals that moved
  9. 9Names and renaming
  10. 10How many countries are there

Chapter 8 of 10

Capitals that moved

Politics in motion.

Notable moves

Ankara replaced Istanbul in 1923, Abuja replaced Lagos in 1991, Astana replaced Almaty in 1997, and Berlin resumed the role after German reunification.

  • Moves usually follow independence, revolution or reunification.
  • The old capital often remains the economic centre.

Contested capitals

Some are disputed internationally, and the status of a city can be a live diplomatic question rather than a matter of geography.