5 Countries with New Capital Cities, Including Indonesia
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15 August 2024 02:09 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Interest in countries moving their capitals has skyrocketed in recent years. Numerous factors influence such monumental decisions, including environmental considerations.
Asia has seen several capital shifts in recent decades, with Myanmar being a notable example. Indonesia is also preparing to have a new capital city soon. Years of careful planning have gone into ensuring a smooth transition.
Citing various sources, here are 5 among several countries with new capitals, including Myanmar and Indonesia.
Myanmar
Myanmar moved its capital city from Yangon to Naypyidaw, 320 km from the previous location, in 2005. Some were perplexed by the decision since Naypyidaw was a mere site with no developing construction at the time. Others believed it was due to an alert of a military attack, BBC reported.
Naypyidaw is seen to be more strategic in terms of government administration matters. The development was fully concluded in 2005. Soon enough, the capital city of Myanmar was transferred in 2006.
Indonesia
Indonesia has been studying the environmental issues surrounding the capital city of Jakarta. Some of the most concerning are sinking land, river pollution, air pollution, and waste issues.
Jakarta has sunk a staggering four meters in recent decades, posing a severe threat as a capital city built on subsiding land. The city is also grappling with chronic pollution issues as its surrounding rivers are overwhelmed by waste. These factors have significantly influenced the Indonesian government's decision to relocate the capital to Kalimantan.
Brazil
Brazil offers a compelling case study in capital relocation. In the mid-20th century, the government made the bold decision to move the capital from Rio de Janeiro to a more central location. This new city, Brasília, was built from scratch for a decade. Unlike Rio, Brasília was built on previously undeveloped land, similar to the approach Myanmar took with Naypyidaw. Inaugurated in 1960, Brasília has since become a symbol of modern urban planning and a major economic hub for Brazil.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan's government successfully moved its capital city to Astana from Almaty in 1997. Despite this change, Almaty remains the country's most populous city. Many residents were resistant to leaving their established lives in Almaty, contributing to the city's enduring demographic dominance.
Tanzania
Tanzania officially moved its capital from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma in the 1980s under the guidance of American architect James Rossant. However, Dodoma's development has been slower than that of Dar es Salaam. As a result, most foreign embassies and government offices have maintained their presence in Dar es Salaam, the former capital, which has a more advanced infrastructure.
Other nations such as Niger, Ivory Coast, Pakistan, and Russia have also moved their capitals. While not unprecedented, the decision to move a country's capital often sparks debate due to the complex economic and cultural implications.
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