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Abyssinia (circa 1137–1974) -

Also known as the Ethiopian Empire, Abyssinia was a powerful kingdom in northeast Africa. It became modern-day Ethiopia, with Eritrea gaining independence in 1993.

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Austria-Hungary (1867–1918) -

A major European power that dissolved after World War I, leading to the creation of Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and several Balkan and Eastern European states.

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Bengal (until 1947) -

A historic region in South Asia, Bengal was divided during the Partition of India, forming the Indian state of West Bengal and East Bengal (now Bangladesh).

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Burma (until 1989) -

Formerly known as Burma, the country officially changed its name to Myanmar in 1989, though some nations and groups still use the old name.

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Catalonia (until 1714) -

A once-independent region of Spain, Catalonia lost its autonomy after the War of Spanish Succession and remains a part of Spain today, despite ongoing independence movements.

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Ceylon (until 1972) -

A former British colony, Ceylon became independent in 1948 and officially changed its name to Sri Lanka in 1972.

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Corsica (until 1769) -

An island in the Mediterranean, Corsica was once independent before being annexed by France. It remains a French territory with a distinct culture and identity.

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Czechoslovakia (1918–1992) -

This Central European country peacefully split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in the "Velvet Divorce" of 1993.

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East Germany (German Democratic Republic) (1949–1990) -

A communist state during the Cold War, East Germany reunified with West Germany in 1990 to form present-day Germany.

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East Pakistan (1947–1971) -

The eastern region of Pakistan, East Pakistan gained independence after a violent conflict and became the modern nation of Bangladesh.

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Gran Colombia (1819–1831) -

A short-lived republic in South America that split into modern-day Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama.

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Hawaii (until 1898) -

A once-independent kingdom and republic, Hawaii was annexed by the United States in 1898 and became the 50th US state in 1959.

© BrunoPress

Holy Roman Empire (800–1806) -

A medieval European empire that dissolved after Napoleon's conquests, leading to the formation of modern Germany, Austria, and other Central European nations.

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Korea (until 1945) -

A unified nation for centuries, Korea was divided after World War II into North Korea and South Korea, which remain separate to this day.

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New Granada (1717–1819) -

A Spanish colonial territory in South America that became part of Gran Colombia before splitting into modern Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Panama.

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Newfoundland (until 1949) -

A British colony and dominion that joined Canada in 1949 as the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

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Neutral Moresnet (1816–1920) -

A tiny neutral territory between Belgium and Germany, it was absorbed into Belgium after World War I.

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North Yemen and South Yemen (until 1990) -

Two separate nations after British and Ottoman rule, North and South Yemen unified in 1990 to form the Republic of Yemen.

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Ottoman Empire (1299–1922) -

A vast empire that spanned Europe, Asia, and Africa, it collapsed after World War I, with Turkey emerging as its successor state.

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Persia (until 1935) -

An ancient empire, Persia officially changed its name to Iran in 1935, though the term "Persia" is still used in cultural contexts.

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Prussia (1525–1947) -

A powerful German kingdom that was dissolved after World War II, with its territories now part of Germany, Poland, Russia, and other nations.

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Rhodesia (1965–1979) -

An unrecognized state in southern Africa, Rhodesia became the internationally recognized Republic of Zimbabwe in 1980.

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Scotland, Wales, and England (until 1707 and 1536 respectively) -

Once independent nations, Scotland and England merged in 1707 to form Great Britain, while Wales was integrated into England in 1536.

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Sikkim (1642–1975) -

A Himalayan kingdom that was annexed by India in 1975 after a referendum.

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South Vietnam (1955–1975) -

A US-backed state during the Vietnam War, South Vietnam was absorbed into a unified Communist Vietnam after the fall of Saigon in 1975.

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Soviet Union (1922–1991) -

A socialist superpower that dissolved in 1991, leading to the independence of 15 nations, including Russia, Ukraine, and the Baltic states.

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Taiwan (claimed by China since 1949) -

Although Taiwan still functions as an independent entity, it is officially claimed by China as part of its territory.

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Texas (1836–1845) -

An independent republic before joining the United States as the 28th state in 1845.

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Tibet (1912–1951) -

A Himalayan region that functioned independently before being annexed by China in 1951.

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United Arab Republic (1958–1961) -

A short-lived political union between Egypt and Syria that dissolved after only three years.

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Vermont (1777–1791) -

A briefly independent republic before becoming the 14th state of the United States in 1791.

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West Florida (1779–1821) -

A region that was contested by Spain, France, and the US, eventually becoming part of modern Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida.

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Yugoslavia (1918–1992) -

A Balkan federation that broke apart in the 1990s, resulting in the independent nations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia (now North Macedonia), Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia.

© Public Domain

Zaire (1971–1997) -

The name of the Democratic Republic of the Congo during Mobutu Sese Seko’s rule before reverting to its original name.

Sources: (Thought Co) (Una Academy) (World Population Review) (Flag Pictures)

See also: Countries with more than one capital city

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