Europe Capitals Quiz
Think you know the capitals of Europe? Try this quick quiz before reading.
Start the QuizCountries change their capital city when the old capital no longer fits the country’s political, geographic or administrative needs. Some moves create a new planned capital, such as Brasilia, Abuja or Naypyidaw. Others shift government back to a historic city, as Germany did with Berlin.
Which Countries Changed Their Capital City?
Well-known countries that changed their capital city include Brazil, Nigeria, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Belize, Malawi, Botswana, Palau, Cote d’Ivoire, Germany, Pakistan, India, Turkey, Australia, Tanzania and Sri Lanka. The exact count depends on whether colonial-era moves, interim capitals, dual-capital systems and planned future capitals are included.
Brazil opened Brasilia as its federal capital in 1960.
Myanmar moved its administrative capital in 2005.
Many new capitals were chosen away from coastal or overcrowded older cities.
Countries That Changed Their Capital City: Main Examples
This table focuses on national capital relocations where the seat of government moved from one city to another. Some dates mark the legal decision, while others mark the practical transfer of government offices.
| Country | Former Capital | New / Current Capital | Year Usually Cited | Capital Change Type | Main Reason or Status Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | Rio de Janeiro | Brasilia | 1960 | Official planned capital | Built inland to shift federal power away from the coast and encourage interior development. |
| Nigeria | Lagos | Abuja | 1991 | Official planned capital | Chosen for a more central location and to reduce pressure on crowded Lagos. |
| Kazakhstan | Almaty | Astana | 1997 | Official relocation | The government moved the capital northward; the city was later renamed more than once, but the capital move itself was to Astana. |
| Myanmar | Yangon | Naypyidaw | 2005 | Administrative capital | Government functions moved to a newly developed inland capital near Pyinmana. |
| Belize | Belize City | Belmopan | 1970 | Official planned capital | Belmopan was developed inland after hurricane damage exposed the vulnerability of coastal Belize City. |
| Malawi | Zomba | Lilongwe | 1975 | Official relocation | Lilongwe was selected for a more central national position, though office transfers continued over time. |
| Botswana | Mafeking / Mafikeng | Gaborone | 1965 | Pre-independence transfer | The seat of government moved from a town outside the territory, now in South Africa, to a new capital inside Botswana. |
| Palau | Koror | Ngerulmud | 2006 | Seat of government move | Government offices moved to a new capitol complex in Melekeok State. |
| Cote d’Ivoire | Abidjan | Yamoussoukro | 1983 | Official capital with split functions | Yamoussoukro is the official capital, while Abidjan remains the largest city and main economic center. |
| Germany | Bonn | Berlin | 1991 / 1999 | Capital and government relocation | After reunification, lawmakers voted for Berlin; the federal government moved in stages. |
| Pakistan | Karachi | Islamabad | 1960s | Planned capital with interim phase | Rawalpindi served as an interim administrative center while Islamabad was being developed. |
| India | Calcutta (Kolkata) | New Delhi | 1911 / 1931 | Historical capital transfer | The British Indian capital was announced for transfer to Delhi in 1911; New Delhi was inaugurated in 1931. |
| Turkey | Istanbul | Ankara | 1923 | Republican capital change | Ankara became the capital after the founding of the Republic of Turkey. |
| Australia | Melbourne (interim) | Canberra | 1927 | Planned federal capital | Canberra was built as a compromise federal capital between Sydney and Melbourne. |
| Tanzania | Dar es Salaam | Dodoma | 1970s / gradual | Gradual relocation | Dodoma was chosen for its central position, while Dar es Salaam remains the largest city and main commercial hub. |
| Sri Lanka | Colombo | Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte | 1982 | Legislative capital move | Parliament moved to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, while Colombo still carries many government and commercial functions. |
Data boundary note: “capital changed” can mean a legal capital designation, a parliament move, a ministry transfer or a full seat-of-government relocation. Countries with split functions need extra care.
Why Do Countries Move Their Capital?
To Move Inland
Coastal capitals can be exposed to storms, flooding, port congestion or external pressure. Belize moved from Belize City to inland Belmopan after hurricane damage made the old capital look vulnerable.
To Balance the Country
New capitals are often placed closer to the geographic center of a country. Abuja, Dodoma and Brasilia all reflect this idea in different ways.
To Build a Planned Seat
Some countries create a purpose-built administrative city with government districts, parliament buildings and ministry areas planned from the start.
| Reason | Example Countries | What Changed |
|---|---|---|
| Reduce crowding in the old capital | Nigeria, Pakistan, Indonesia (planned) | Government functions moved or are planned to move away from a crowded metropolis. |
| Create a more central capital | Brazil, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kazakhstan | The new capital sits closer to the interior or a more balanced national position. |
| Protect government from coastal risk | Belize | The capital moved inland after coastal storm risk became harder to ignore. |
| Reflect a new political era | Turkey, Germany, Kazakhstan | The capital change followed a new republic, reunification or post-Soviet state-building. |
| Separate commercial and political roles | Cote d’Ivoire, Sri Lanka, Tanzania | The largest or commercial city kept many daily functions while another city gained official capital status. |
Capital Changes by Type
Purpose-Built Capitals
Brasilia, Abuja, Belmopan, Islamabad, Canberra and Naypyidaw were created or heavily planned to serve national government needs. These cities often have wide government districts and a formal administrative layout.
Split-Role Capitals
Yamoussoukro, Dodoma and Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte show why capital status can be more complex than a single city label. Official status, ministries, courts, embassies and business activity may not all sit in the same place.
Common Point of Confusion
A country changing its capital is not the same as a city changing its name. For example, Kazakhstan moved its capital from Almaty to Astana in 1997. Later name changes involving Astana and Nur-Sultan are city-name changes, not separate capital relocations.
Mini Timeline of Notable Capital Moves
Countries Often Mentioned but Not Simple Capital Changes
| Country | Situation | Why It Needs Care |
|---|---|---|
| Indonesia | Jakarta to Nusantara is planned. | Indonesia has passed laws and construction is underway, but Jakarta remains the capital until the formal transfer is completed by decree. |
| Egypt | A New Administrative Capital is being developed east of Cairo. | Government functions have moved in stages, but Cairo is still widely listed as the capital in many official and reference sources. |
| Malaysia | Putrajaya is the federal administrative center. | Kuala Lumpur remains the national capital, while Putrajaya handles many federal administrative functions. |
| Netherlands | Amsterdam is the capital; The Hague is the seat of government. | This is a split-role arrangement, not a recent capital relocation. |
| Bolivia | Sucre is the constitutional capital; La Paz is the seat of government. | It is usually treated as a dual-capital or split-seat case rather than a simple one-city replacement. |
Former Capital vs Largest City
Old Capitals Often Stay Larger
When a country moves its capital, the former capital often remains the largest city or main business center. Lagos, Rio de Janeiro, Yangon, Abidjan, Dar es Salaam and Colombo all kept major urban roles after losing full capital status.
New Capitals Often Start Smaller
Planned capitals may begin as administrative cities with fewer residents than the old capital. Their purpose is not always to become the biggest city; it is often to house government in a controlled, central or symbolic location.
Source Notes
Capital status can change by law, decree, parliamentary vote or gradual office relocation. The notes below use official government pages, established reference works and research sources where possible.
- German Federal Ministry of the Interior: Our Capital City
- Federal Government of Germany: Bundestag move to Berlin
- Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Kazakhstan country brief
- Britannica: Belize
- National University of Singapore: The Road to Naypyitaw
- White House Archives: Botswana background note
- Jakarta Globe: Jakarta and Nusantara capital status
FAQ About Countries Changing Capitals
Why did Brazil change its capital from Rio de Janeiro to Brasilia?
Brazil moved its capital to Brasilia in 1960 to place the federal government inland and promote development beyond the coastal southeast. Rio de Janeiro remained one of Brazil’s most famous and populous cities.
Why did Nigeria move its capital from Lagos to Abuja?
Nigeria moved its capital to Abuja in 1991 because Abuja is more centrally located and was planned as a federal capital. Lagos remains Nigeria’s largest city and main commercial center.
What is the newest country capital created by relocation?
Among widely recognized modern examples, Naypyidaw in Myanmar and Ngerulmud in Palau are among the newest capitals created or activated through a national capital move in the 2000s.
Has Indonesia already changed its capital to Nusantara?
No. Nusantara is the planned new capital, but Jakarta remains Indonesia’s capital until the formal legal transfer is completed. Construction and government planning continue.
Can a country have more than one capital?
Yes. Some countries split national functions between cities. South Africa, Bolivia, the Netherlands, Malaysia and Sri Lanka are often discussed because official, administrative, legislative or judicial roles are not all located in one simple capital city.
