Frequently Asked Questions
The most-asked questions about world capital cities.
What exactly does this encyclopedia cover?
This fan project catalogs every recognized capital city on Earth, documenting their history, governance, culture, and quirks. Each entry treats the capital as a character with its own backstory, relationships to its nation, and standout moments.
How many capital cities are there worldwide?
There are roughly 195 sovereign states, each with at least one capital, though a handful split executive, legislative, and judicial functions across multiple cities. The total count of distinct capital cities sits just above 200 when shared and dual arrangements are included.
What qualifies a city as a 'capital'?
A capital is the seat of a country's central government, typically housing the head of state, parliament, and supreme court. Some nations designate separate cities for different branches, so a single country can have more than one official capital.
Who are the recurring 'main characters' across these entries?
Heads of state—presidents, monarchs, prime ministers—anchor most narratives, alongside long-serving mayors and city planners who shape daily life. Historical architects, revolutionaries, and diplomats also feature prominently in many capital stories.
Where should a new reader begin?
Start with the Foundations section, which explains how capitals are chosen, how they evolve, and the distinction between de jure and de facto seats. From there, the alphabetical country index lets you jump straight to any capital you've visited or always wanted to explore.
What are some genuinely surprising facts about world capitals?
Nauru has no capital city at all, with government offices simply rotating among its districts. The Vatican, the smallest sovereign state, is itself an entire capital. And Washington, D.C. was purpose-built as a brand-new city rather than growing organically from an existing town.
Can one city serve as the capital of two different countries?
Luxembourg City functions as the capital of Luxembourg while also hosting key EU institutions, blurring the line between national and supranational seats. More commonly, shared or joint arrangements appear in microstates and special administrative configurations.
What counts as a 'notable moment' in a capital's history?
The encyclopedia highlights turning points like the founding of Brasília in 1960, the transfer of India's capital from Calcutta to New Delhi in 1931, and the destruction and rebuilding of cities such as Baghdad. These events reshape the political identity of entire nations overnight.
How often do countries actually move their capital?
Capital relocations are rare; most nations keep the same seat for centuries. When they do move, it is usually for strategic, economic, or symbolic reasons, as seen with Turkey's 1923 shift to Ankara or Myanmar's 2005 transfer to Naypyidaw.
Is this encyclopedia official or government-backed?
It is entirely a fan-made, community-driven project with no affiliation to any government or intergovernmental body. All entries are written by volunteers, and the project welcomes corrections, translations, and new contributions from readers worldwide.