Why Aren't the Largest Cities of South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, USA, and Canada Their Capitals?
It is a common misconception that the largest cities of countries such as South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, and Canada are not chosen to be their capitals for a simple reason. Unlike many European nations, the capital selection process in these countries is often a diplomatic compromise rather than a straightforward choice based on population size or historical significance.
Counter-Example: Canada
Andre brought up a valid point regarding Canada. Prior to 1976, Montreal was the largest city in Canada, not Toronto. The growth of Toronto to become the largest city only came about after significant municipal amalgamation. However, the capital Ottawa has a much simpler origin: it was chosen by Queen Victoria, who wished for a centralized administrative location that avoided both the major cities of the time - Montreal and Toronto.
New World English-Speaking Nations: A Different Perspective
The capitals of new world English-speaking nations such as the USA and Australia are often the result of decision by committee rather than by population or royal decree. These capitals were strategically chosen to find a compromise between regions that had to agree on a central location that was least offensive to all parties involved.
Australian Capital Case Study
An interesting example can be seen in Australia, where the capital is Canberra. This choice was mainly because Melbourne and Sydney, the largest cities at the time, could not agree on which should host the capital. The compromise was to create a new city, Canberra, to avoid favoring one over the other.
The Case of Ottawa, Canada
Ottawa's selection as the capital of Canada involves a mix of strategic and political considerations. One of the key reasons why Ottawa was chosen over Toronto was due to political negotiations during the formation of Canada in 1864. It was decided that Toronto could not be the capital since it would also be the capital of Ontario, creating a conflict of interest between the federal and provincial levels.
Another strategic factor was Ottawa's position further away from the American border than Toronto. Additionally, Ottawa was also chosen for its military and commercial strategic value. It is the northern endpoint of the Rideau Canal, which provides an important shipping route for Canadian ships to circumvent the part of the St. Lawrence River that forms the border with the USA. This location provided both military defense and commercial benefits.
Conclusion
The selection of administrative capitals in countries like South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, and Canada is often a complex and politically charged process. These decisions are more often a result of strategic considerations and diplomatic compromises rather than simply being the largest or most populated city.
The examples of Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa all highlight the various factors at play in choosing a capital city, making these decisions more than just a matter of size, but also political and strategic.