World capitals: as they choose and why?
The world’s attention focused on Jerusalem, recently recognized by the President of the United States the capital of Israel, despite the protests of the Arab world and beyond.
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The world’s attention focused on Jerusalem, recently recognized by the President of the United States the capital of Israel, despite the protests of the Arab world and beyond.
In Jerusalem, there are places sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims. The status of this unique city — one of the key issues of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Israel has long held Jerusalem as its capital. There is a government building, the residence of the Prime Minister and the President, but so far no country has recognized the city as the capital of Israel.
Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem and move the U.S. Embassy was criticized by many. Time to ask the question — how do countries choose their capital and what this choice means.
1. The symbol of unity and an instrument of control
The English word “capital” (“capital) comes from the Latin capitalis, basically meaning “regarding the head”.
It is a city that leads the territory. It is associated with authority, there are state institutions, and in the monarchical countries there lives a Royal family.
The capital must be protected, but from it come the instructions, it is a symbol of unity.
Therefore, many of the capital is geographically located in the center of the country — so to them it’s easier to get to from all corners, this situation helps them to perform a symbolic, representational function.
Madrid, for example, is located right in the center of the Iberian Peninsula. Abuja officially became Nigeria’s capital in 1991, was built in the center of the country almost from scratch, to symbolize the unity of the nation divided by religious conflict and settled over a large area.
On the same principle Brazil in 1961, moved the capital from the sprawling port city of Rio de Janeiro, located in the Central part of the country, Brasilia.
“To convey progress to Central Brazil,” said the architect Oscar Niemeyer, who designed buildings of state institutions in the new capital.