Last Updated: July 11, 2026, 13:26 IST1 / 9 In many countries, the largest, richest or most famous city isn't where the government sits.
2 / 9 \ United StatesCapital: Washington, D.C.Not: New York CityNew York was America's first capital after independence.
Washington, D.C. was later created as a neutral federal district so no single state would host the national government.
4 / 9 CanadaCapital: OttawaNot: TorontoToronto is Canada's largest city, but Ottawa was selected by Queen Victoria in 1857 because it sat between English- and French-speaking regions, helping unite the country.
6 / 9 SwitzerlandCapital: BernNot: ZurichZurich is Switzerland's financial powerhouse, but Bern was chosen as the federal capital because of its neutral political position among the country's regions.
Last Updated: July 11, 2026, 13:26 IST
1 / 9 In many countries, the largest, richest or most famous city isn't where the government sits. Sometimes it's because of history. Other times it's a political compromise or a strategic decision. Here are 8 countries whose capitals continue to surprise travellers.
2 / 9 \ United States
Capital: Washington, D.C.
Not: New York City
New York was America's first capital after independence. Washington, D.C. was later created as a neutral federal district so no single state would host the national government.
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3 / 9 Kazakhstan
Capital: Astana
Not: Almaty
Almaty served as the capital until 1997, when the government shifted it to Astana (formerly Nur-Sultan) due to its central location and room for expansion.
4 / 9 Canada
Capital: Ottawa
Not: Toronto
Toronto is Canada's largest city, but Ottawa was selected by Queen Victoria in 1857 because it sat between English- and French-speaking regions, helping unite the country.
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5 / 9 Brazil
Capital: Brasília
Not: Rio de Janeiro
Rio was once Brazil's capital, but in 1960 the government moved to Brasília, a futuristic city built from scratch to encourage development in the country's interior.
6 / 9 Switzerland
Capital: Bern
Not: Zurich
Zurich is Switzerland's financial powerhouse, but Bern was chosen as the federal capital because of its neutral political position among the country's regions.
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7 / 9 Australia
Capital: Canberra
Not: Sydney
Sydney and Melbourne competed fiercely to become Australia's capital. The solution? Build an entirely new city halfway between them. Canberra was purpose-built and officially became the capital in 1913.
8 / 9 Turkey
Capital: Ankara
Not: Istanbul
Istanbul may be Turkey's cultural and economic heart, but Ankara became the capital in 1923 after Mustafa Kemal Atatürk established the Republic of Turkey. Its central location made it easier to govern the newly formed nation.
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