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10 Countries With Multiple Capital Cities

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While most countries have just one capital city, a few around the world take a different approach, splitting national duties across two or even three capital cities.

Whether for historical, political, or logistical reasons, these nations have chosen to spread out their centers of power.

From South Africa’s trio of capitals to Bolivia’s high-altitude split, here are 10 countries that operate with more than one capital city—and why.

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1. South Africa

South Africa is a pretty unique country. it has three capital cities instead of one like you would expect. South Africa has Pretoria; the administrative capital, Cape Town the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein the judicial capital. In layman words Pretoria handles the government’s day-to-day stuff, Cape Town is where laws get made, and Bloemfontein takes care of the courts. This setup spreads power out across the country and helps make sure different regions and groups have a say. Cape Town is super popular with tourists due to its beaches, epic mountain views, and loads of outdoor fun. Pretoria has its own fans too, especially when the jacaranda trees bloom in spring and turn the city purple. Then there’s Bloemfontein, the chill one of the three, with a more residential, laid-back, and all about the legal side of things.

2. Bolivia

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Bolivia is a country with two capitals: La Paz and Sucre. This split came about in the 1800s because of differing political views about the country’s future. La Paz is the main capital for the government, where the executive and legislative branches are based. It’s the world’s highest capital, sitting at over 3,650 meters above sea level, in the Andes Mountains. Just next to it is El Alto, a city up in the highlands, where the towering Mt. Illimani looms at 6,438 meters. For a unique experience, you can take a ride on the Mi Teleférico cable car, which offers amazing views of the area. Sucre, located in southern Bolivia, is the country’s constitutional and judicial capital. It’s known for its historical Casa de la Libertad, where Bolivia’s Declaration of Independence was signed in 1825. The city’s whitewashed buildings and stunning architecture are a big draw for tourists. The Plaza 25 de Mayo, Sucre’s main square, features the grand Metropolitan Cathedral, and nearby is the Museo Universitario Colonial Charcas, which showcases both religious artifacts and modern art.

3. Netherlands

This is a country known for its two capitals; Amsterdam and Hague. Amsterdam is known for its vibrant and welcoming atmosphere and famous party scene, is the official capital of the Netherlands. However, the country’s government is actually based in The Hague, which is home to the Dutch Legislature, cabinet, and Supreme Court. The Hague serves as the real political centre of the nation, where the Dutch monarchy resides and where the King delivers his annual throne speech. For centuries, The Hague has hosted the Dutch Parliament and government. Additionally, it is the location of important global institutions such as the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.

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READ ALSO: Top 10 Most-visited Countries In The World

4. Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has two capitals: Colombo and Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. Colombo is the country’s main city for government work and law, and it’s also the largest city and financial hub. Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is where the Sri Lankan Parliament is located and is the legislative capital. Colombo is a lively city with colourful streets, busy life, beautiful beaches, and a popular nightlife. Because Colombo became too crowded over time, the national legislature moved to the nearby city of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte leaving the nation with two capitals. Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte was made the official capital in 1982, but Colombo remains a key city.

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5. Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland)

Eswatini is a landlocked country in Southern Africa that has two capitals. Mbabane and Lobamba. Mbabane is the administrative capital, where most government offices are located. Mbabane was founded in 1902 by the British, who made it the capital of the colony. Lobamba is the second capital, where the royal family lives and the country’s Parliament meets. Lobamba is also the centre of traditional and political power in Eswatini, while Mbabane handles the day-to-day government functions.

6. Benin

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Benin, a country in West Africa that has two capitals. Porto-Novo and Cotonou. Porto-Novo is the official capital and is located in the southeast near the Gulf of Guinea. It is where the National Assembly meets. However, most government offices and ministries are based in Cotonou, the country’s largest city. Cotonou is also a popular spot for tourists, known for its attractions and importance as the centre of government operations.

7. Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast, also known as Côte d’Ivoire, has two key cities serving different national roles. Abidjan is the country’s largest city and economic powerhouse. Though not the official capital, it functions as the practical centre of government, housing most government offices, foreign embassies, and key institutions. Known for its lively culture, modern buildings, and busy markets, Abidjan plays a vital role in the country’s daily operations. Yamoussoukro, located in the centre of the country, is the official political and administrative capital. In 1983, President Félix Houphouët-Boigny, who was born there, declared Yamoussoukro the new capital in an effort to promote development away from the coast. Despite this designation, many government functions and institutions remain in Abidjan due to its established infrastructure and global connections. Notably, Yamoussoukro is also home to the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, one of the largest churches in the world.

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8. Malaysia

Malaysia has two key cities that share national functions: Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. Kuala Lumpur, the official capital, is known for its vibrant nightlife, cultural diversity, and iconic landmarks. It houses the national legislature and the ceremonial residence of Malaysia’s monarch. As the country’s largest city, it also serves as the financial and commercial heart of the nation. To ease congestion and better manage administrative tasks, the government initiated the development of Putrajaya in 1995. Built around an artificial lake and located about 25 kilometres south of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya was designed as a modern, master-planned administrative centre. Today, it hosts most federal ministries, government agencies, and the Prime Minister’s official residence. It also serves as the judicial capital, home to the country’s highest courts. Putrajaya is a key part of Malaysia’s “Multimedia Super Corridor” (MSC), a high-tech development zone that includes major infrastructure like the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and the nearby Petronas Twin Towers. While Putrajaya handles most government operations, Kuala Lumpur remains the official capital and continues to be the economic and cultural powerhouse of Malaysia.

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9. Tanzania

Tanzania, located in East Africa, operates with two capitals: Dodoma and Dar es Salaam. Dodoma is the official capital, where the country’s main government buildings and the National Assembly are based. Although it was designated as the capital back in 1974, the full shift of government functions began much later, with Dodoma officially gaining capital status in 1996. The move aimed to place the capital in a more central location, making governance more accessible across the country. Despite this, Dar es Salaam continues to function as the de facto centre of government activity. It remains the largest city and economic powerhouse of Tanzania, home to key institutions such as Ikulu (the Presidential residence), several government ministries, foreign embassies, and international organizations. As a coastal city, Dar es Salaam also serves as the main port and commercial gateway, playing a critical role in trade and infrastructure. Today, while Dodoma handles legislative responsibilities and some administrative duties, Dar es Salaam continues to be the heart of Tanzania’s economy, diplomacy, and international affairs.

10. Chile

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Chile has two main cities that serve different capital functions: Santiago and Valparaíso, which are located just about 72 miles (116 kilometres) apart. Santiago is the official capital and the largest city in the country. It serves as the main centre for political administration, finance, culture, and tourism, known for its busy urban life and modern architecture. In an effort to distribute political power more evenly across the country after the end of Augusto Pinochet’s military regime, Chile moved its National Congress to Valparaíso in 1990. This coastal city, known for its colourful hills, historic charm, and vibrant artistic scene, became the legislative capital. Today, Santiago remains the seat of the presidency and executive functions, while Valparaíso is where the Chilean Parliament meets, helping to decentralize governance and promote regional development.

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VIDEO: Why I’ve Never Tried Convincing My Christian Wife To Convert To Islam — Tinubu

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has explained why he has never attempted to convince his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, to convert to Islam, stressing his belief in love, religious freedom, and mutual respect among people of different faiths.

Speaking on Saturday at the funeral service of Nana Lydia Yilwatda, mother of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwada, Tinubu said his marriage to a Christian pastor has never created any conflict in their home.

The president, who arrived in Jos, Plateau State around 2 p.m. for the ceremony at the COCIN headquarters church, said he inherited Islam from his family and has always upheld the principle of freedom of religion.

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He noted that both he and the First Lady serve the same God and would ultimately be answerable to Him, adding that what matters most are people’s deeds, character, and love for others.

Tinubu urged Nigerians to embrace tolerance and peaceful coexistence, emphasising that hate should never have a place in the country.

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He also prayed for the repose of the soul of the late Lydia Yilwada and asked God to grant comfort and blessings to those she left behind.

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He said, “Hate is not an option for us. Love is what you preach, that we should love one another.

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“Nobody, nobody determines what God has ordained. God’s ordained action and his promises are what matter. I inherited Islam from my family. I didn’t change. But my wife is a pastor. She prays for me.

“No conflict. And I never did at any single time try to convince her or convert her. I believe in the freedom of religion.

“We are praying to the same God. We are answerable to the same almighty God. We will answer to him. We will account to him. Our deeds, our character, our love for our fellow beings are what are important.

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“May the almighty accept the soul of Lydia and give all that she left behind blessings and glory, so we say, may her soul rest in peace.”

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UK Police Quiz Six After Fatal Synagogue Attack

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Six people arrested on suspicion of “terrorism”-linked offences after a fatal car-ramming and knife attack on a UK synagogue remained in police custody on Saturday, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged people not to take part in pro-Palestinian protests.

Two people were killed and three others seriously wounded in Thursday’s attack in northwestern Manchester on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.

Police shot dead the assailant, Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old UK citizen of Syrian descent, within minutes of the alarm being raised.

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Three men and three women are in custody.

The attack has heightened fear among Britain’s Jewish community.

Police said they were patrolling places of worship across the city “with a particular focus on providing a high-visibility presence within our Jewish communities”.

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The attack on Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in north Manchester was one of the worst antisemitic incidents in Europe since the October 7, 2023, attack in Israel led by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.

The Hamas attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

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Israel’s retaliatory offensive on the Gaza Strip has killed at least 66,288 Palestinians, also mostly civilians, according to health ministry figures in the occupied territory that the United Nations considers reliable.

The Gaza conflict has inflamed passions in Britain, with frequent pro-Palestinian rallies in cities that some critics allege have stoked antisemitism.

A “global movement for Gaza UK” protest went ahead in London late on Thursday, with police making 40 arrests.

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London’s Metropolitan Police asked organisers delay another planned demonstration backing the banned Palestine Action group later on Saturday.

However, organisers Defend Our Juries rejected the calls.

READ ALSO:US Faces ‘War From Within’, Trump Tells Generals

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A spokesman said the group “stood in solidarity” with the Jewish community over the attack.

– Accidental shooting –

Starmer urged protesters not to join the pro-Palestinian rally.

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“I urge anyone thinking about protesting this weekend to recognise and respect the grief of British Jews. This is a moment of mourning. It is not a time to stoke tension and cause further pain,” he said on X.

During the attack, Shamie was seen “with a big knife, banging his knife into the glass, trying to get through”, synagogue chairman of trustees Alan Levy, who helped barricade the doors, told ITV News.

“The heroes of the congregation who saw what was happening then came to the doors because he was trying to break the doors down to get in,” he added.

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A UK police watchdog, meanwhile, said it would look at the police shooting of Shamie.

The probe would also look at the shooting of a second victim who suffered a fatal gunshot and a third person who was shot but survived.

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The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said there was no evidence anyone other than police used firearms at the scene.

“Our independent investigation will look at the circumstances surrounding the fatal police shooting of Jihad Al-Shamie,” it said in a statement.

“A post mortem has today (Friday) concluded another man who died at the scene suffered a fatal gunshot wound.”

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IOPC investigations are standard practice in situations where the use of force by police may have resulted in the death of a member of the public.

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Edo Inaugurates Committee On Drug Abuse, Healthy Living

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L-R: ACGN, NDLEA, Fidelis Cocodia, Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa and Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani during the Inauguration

Edo State Government has inaugurated Drug Control Committee for the state and local governments, aimed at curbing the menace of drug abuse in the state.

Inaugurating the committee, Governor Monday Okpehbolo said the committee was not only saddled with the responsibility of curbing the menace of illicit substances, but to promote healthier living across communities in the state.

Represented by his deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, Okpebholo described the initiative as “a vital step in our unwavering commitment to stopping the menace of drug trafficking and substance use among youths.”

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The governor, who bemoaned the rising tide of drug dependency and its impact on society, pointed out that the committee’s creation aligns with the national drug master plan and represents a bold stride toward protecting Edo future generations.

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On his part, Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, represented by ACGN, Fidelis Cocodia, Zonal Commander, Zone 13, emphasised grassroots interventions, awareness campaigns, and support systems as the backbone of the fight against drug abuse.

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Edo State commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju disclosed that while national drug use prevalence stands at 14.4 percent, Edo state surpasses the average at 15 percent.

He noted that the state is one of the hardest-hit states in the country, warning that the trend has fueled crime and heightened youth vulnerability.

READ ALSO:Idahosa Lauds Edo Specialist Hospital Facilities

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The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole pledged to make Edo a model in drug control through rehabilitation, youth enlightenment, and second-chance opportunities for recovering addicts.

Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, described drug abuse as a pandemic, noting that “you hardly see a crime without drugs being involved.”

She added that women’s empathy and influence must be harnessed in the campaign against drug abuse.

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