Many cities have been national capitals throughout history. They lost this status because their countries disappeared or the government moved the capital to another place. Read on to check the list of countries that have changed their capital cities.
Myanmar is the latest country to change its capital. It shifted its capital to Naypyidaw in 2005 (Photo credit: Unsplash)
New Delhi: Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor raised doubts about Delhi’s suitability as the national capital of India, citing the worsening air pollution. In a post on X, Tharoor wrote, “Delhi is officially the most polluted city in the world, 4x Hazardous levels and nearly five times as bad as the second most polluted city, Dhaka…This city is essentially uninhabitable from November to January inclusive and barely livable the rest of the year. Should it even remain the nation’s capital?”
Delhi is officially the most polluted city in the world, 4x Hazardous levels and nearly five times as bad as the second most polluted city, Dhaka. It is unconscionable that our government has been witnessing this nightmare for years and does nothing about it. I have run an Air… pic.twitter.com/sLZhfeo722
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) November 18, 2024
As Tharoor questions about Delhi being the national capital, some countries have changed their capital. Let us look at seven such countries.
Countries that have changed their capital
Before we look at the list, let us look at why a country chose to relocate their capital.
Many countries have moved their capital cities for various reasons. One key reason is to choose a location that has a neutral political, religious, and ethnic environment. This helps maintain the country’s prosperity, peace, security, and unity.
It should be noted that Delhi was named the capital of India in 1911 under the British Raj. Earlier, the capital of India was Calcutta (now Kolkata).
Changed their capital cities
Pakistan
In 1959, Pakistan decided to move its capital from Karachi in the south to Islamabad in the north. Construction on the new capital began in 1961 and took many years to finish.
Russia
Russia has changed its capital multiple times between Moscow and St Petersburg. St Petersburg, established by Peter the Great in 1703, was the capital from 1712 until 1918, when the government returned to Moscow.
Nigeria
The capital of Nigeria was changed from Lagos to Abuja in 1991. Lagos was growing unplanned, and it was decided that Abuja would be developed as its new capital. Abuja was chosen as a more neutral land for the country’s many ethnic and religious groups, as no group or ethnicity could call Abuja their land.
Myanmar
The country’s military rulers moved the capital 320 km north from Rangoon, known as Yangon, to an under-constructed site officially named Naypyidaw. The new capital was more centrally and strategically located. However, many believe this was done due to a warning by an astrologer about an attack from foreign military personnel.
Brazil
Brazil built a new city called Brasilia to be its capital in the 1950s, replacing Rio de Janeiro. Brasilia’s key buildings were designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer and opened in 1960.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan’s capital moved to Astana in 1997. This planned city took over from Almaty, which remains the largest city and the main commercial hub.
Tanzania
Tanzania is moving its capital to Dodoma, with plans completed in the mid-1980s by US architect James Rossant. However, this change has not been successful. The national assembly meets in Dodoma, but most government ministries and all foreign embassies still operate in the old capital, Dar es Salaam.
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