Why do countries need capitals?
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Capitals aren’t typically decided and then government moves there, governments centralize power by nature and then we decided on the word ‘Capital’ to denote the place where the highest powers of government reside.
Before country lines were drawn, there were still powerful tribes that controlled a territory, even if they were nomadic, there was still a place where you would go talk to the chief.
Once tribes were no longer nomadic the chiefs would always have their favorite residence, and as soon as that happens you have people who want to be near the home of power for many different reasons. This increase in population near the seat of power leads to more infrastructure needed, more defense against raiders, more resources and you start developing from a tribal village to a city.
In the US, the idea of a capital had been around for ages and it was planned, but it wasn’t always Washington DC.
http://www.history.com/.amp/news/8-forgotten-capitals-of-the-united-states
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