Four Countries with Unusual Capital Cities

The vast majority of countries in the world have one capital city – which is where the Government is located as well. However, there are several countries (including some surprising ones) where this isn’t the case.

Here The Moving Partnership, who provide competitively-priced removals to Germany, as well as other countries in Europe and further afield, try to cut through any confusion which could arise if you are moving to one of the countries in question.

What is a Capital City?

A nation’s capital is generally defined as the city which serves as the seat of the government. It houses the country’s major leaders, offices, and courts. However, problems arise when the Government is located elsewhere in the country.

Germany

Here the situation was complicated by the unification of West and East Germany in 1990, following the fall of the Berlin Wall. Bonn was the capital of West Germany, and Berlin the east. After 1990, Berlin became the capital of the two combined countries. The Parliament, the Reichstag, pictured, is in Berlin; however, Bonn, pictured below, still retains some Government agencies – such as the German equivalent of the Post Office and the railways authority – to maintain a more equitable split.

The Netherlands

Most people would name Amsterdam as the Dutch capital – as it is certainly the largest city, the cultural and economic centre of the country, as well as being the home of the Dutch royal family. However, The Hague is the seat of Government and is the administrative capital of the country (and is also where the International Court of Justice is located). Some government functions are also based in another city – Utrecht.

Switzerland

Here there is no official capital city at all – Bern is the de facto capital (i.e. in effect, but not formally recognised as such) – nowhere in the Swiss constitution does it say it’s the capital. However, it is home to the president, the seat of government and the parliament.

Zurich could also lay claim to the title because it’s certainly the financial centre of the country. And Geneva, the second most populous city in Switzerland, is home to the head offices of the United Nations and the World Health Organization – leading some people to mistakenly to call it the capital as well.

South Africa

This country has not one but three capital cities. Pretoria is the executive capital, where the president and the government's administrative departments are located. Cape Town is the legislative capital, where the parliament is based. And Bloemfontein is the judicial capital, home to the country’s Supreme Court of Appeal and other courts. 

The decision to have three capitals was a deliberate one, reflecting South Africa's commitment to fairness and reconciliation, bearing in mind its troubled apartheid past. This system has helped to ensure that power is not concentrated in a single city and that all regions of the country are represented.

European and International Removals with The Moving Partnership

Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland and South Africa all have something else in common aside from capital cities – The Moving Partnership can help you relocate to all of them. Our network of contacts in the international removals industry mean we can source a quote which will meet your individual needs.

If you are interested in removals to Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland or South Africa we can offer a choice of a dedicated service which handles your possessions exclusively. Alternatively, you can opt for a groupage service where your possessions are consolidated with other consignments. For more information about our European moving service, click here.

And if you are interested in international removals to South Africa, you should follow this link.

Whichever country you are considering moving to, we offer free online quotes and video surveys.