Some mistakes had disastrous consequences
The seat of the government is located in the energetic port city of Cotonou. Popular amongst tourists, it welcomes people with colorful hustle and swinging rhythms.
Surrounded by the snowy peaks of the Andes Mountains, La Paz is the well-known capital city of Bolivia. It's also the country's administrative capital.
The West African nation of Benin has two capitals: Porto-Novo (pictured) and Cotonou. Porto-Novo is the country's second-largest city, and home of the National Assembly of Benin.
One of the great powers of Europe, the Austrian-Hungarian Empire was a constitutional monarchy with two capitals, Vienna and Budapest, from 1873 to 1918.
The constitutional capital is considerably far away, in the city of Sucre. The city became powerful during the colonial rule thanks to silver mining. The tin industry in the up-and-coming La Paz made the city a fierce rival for economic and political power.
Worlds apart, the national legislature is located in Valparaíso. Situated by the Pacific Ocean, the UNESCO-listed historic center is a colorful gem with a bohemian flair.
However, compared with the original capital city of Abidjan, Yamoussoukro remains sleepy. The de facto seat of government, Abidjan boasts beautiful architecture, an interesting arts scene, and vibrant markets.
Home to the main governmental functions, Yamoussoukro became the country's second capital in 1983. The birthplace of President Félix Houphouët-Boigny, who ruled from 1960 to 1993, it's the country's political and administrative capital.
Members of Chile's national administrative and judicial bodies can enjoy the snowfall and the rocky summits surrounding the official capital of Santiago. However, in 1990 the country got a second capital.
But the supreme court of the Czech Republic is in the country's less-known second capital, Brno. An energetic student town, it's filled with stylish cafés and historic buildings.
However, if you want to see the absolute monarch, then you should head to Lobamba, the royal capital.
Formerly known as Swaziland, this landlocked country packs a dramatically varied landscape. Located in the heart of the Dlangeni Hills, Mbabane is the administrative capital.
The only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, Laos was once a monarchy with two capitals. Vientiane was, and still is, the administrative capital. Luang Prabang (pictured) was the royal capital.
From 1974 to 1994, Lilongwe was the administrative and judiciary capital, and Zomba was the legislative capital. Today, Lilongwe is Malawi's only capital.
Sources: (CNN) (World Atlas)
Then there are nations that in the past had more than one capital. For example, France had two capitals between 1940 and 1944, during the height of WWII. Nazi-controlled Vichy (pictured) was the de facto administrative capital, and Paris was the constitutional capital. Paris was also the capital for the German military administration.
Renowned for its nightlife, Kuala Lumpur is a mix of minarets, futuristic towers, and street markets. It's also the seat of the legislature and the official home of Malaysia's monarch.
However, in 1995 the government began constructing Putrajaya, a quieter metropolis that wraps around a massive artificial lake. It's home to the country's government and the judiciary.
Montenegro has the official capital of Podgorica (pictured), and the traditional capital of Cetinje to honor the country's past. Podgorica hosts the official government functions.
Cetinje was the country's former capital, and it's now Montenegro's cultural hub. It also houses the president's official residence.
Amsterdam is renowned for its historic canals, cool locals, and its party scene. But while the country's constitution designates the city as its capital, the real work of governing takes place somewhere else.
The Netherlands' main governing bodies, including the states general, executive branch, and supreme court, are all located in The Hague.
Known for its enchanting jacaranda blooms in September, Pretoria is home to the administrative branch.
South Africa is the only country to have three capital cities, which share powers across regions. Located between the shoreline and Table Mountain, Cape Town was the capital of Britain's Cape Colony. It remains the legislative capital.
However, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, often called Kotte, is the country's legislative capital and home to the Sri Lankan Parliament Building.
In 1973, the Tanzanian government announced it was moving from the coastal capital of Dar es Salaam (pictured) to the central location of Dodoma.
The third capital of South Africa is laid-back Bloemfontein. It serves as the country's judicial capital.
But while Dodoma houses all official buildings of the country, much of the government business is still conducted in Dar es Salaam.
The coastal city of Colombo is Sri Lanka's executive and judicial capital, as well as its largest city and financial center.
With its Gothic spires and Baroque rooflines, Prague is a world-famous capital, and a symbol of Czech culture and history. The sprawling Prague Castle is the official office of the country's president.
The world has experienced plenty of wars, revolutions, and fallen empires, which changed borders and presented new capitals. In 1900, only around 40 nations had capital cities. By 2000, the number grew to more than 200, largely a result of new countries emerging after the collapse of the British and French empires, the Soviet Union, and Yugoslavia. Most nations chose one city as their official capital, but there are some with two or more, where they split administrative, legislative, and judicial headquarters, for instance.
Curious? Then click on and take a look at the countries with more than one capital city.
Countries with more than one capital city
Did you know some nations have multiple capital cities?
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The world has experienced plenty of wars, revolutions, and fallen empires, which changed borders and presented new capitals. In 1900, only around 40 nations had capital cities. By 2000, the number grew to more than 200, largely a result of new countries emerging after the collapse of the British and French empires, the Soviet Union, and Yugoslavia. Most nations chose one city as their official capital, but there are some with two or more, where they split administrative, legislative, and judicial headquarters, for instance.
Curious? Then click on and take a look at the countries with more than one capital city.