Why do some countries have multiple capitals?

Some countries have multiple capitals for historical, political, administrative, or practical reasons. In the case of South Africa, having three capitals—Pretoria (administrative), Bloemfontein (judicial), and Cape Town (legislative)—reflects a deliberate effort to balance power among different regions and cultural groups within the country. South Africa’s arrangement dates back to its formation as a union in 1910, when it united several previously separate colonies, each with its own political and economic centers. To accommodate regional interests and avoid concentrating all government functions in one city, the government distributed branches of power across multiple cities. Pretoria serves as the seat of the executive branch, Cape Town hosts Parliament, and Bloemfontein houses the Supreme Court of Appeal. More broadly, countries may adopt multiple capitals to manage geographical challenges, represent diverse ethnic or cultural groups, or decentralize government functions to promote regional development. For example, Bolivia has Sucre as its constitutional capital and La Paz as the seat of government, reflecting historical compromises. Similarly, Malaysia divides its administrative and royal capitals between Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur. In essence, multiple capitals often symbolize political compromises, efforts to promote national unity, or practical governance solutions tailored to a country’s unique history and geography.