Countries which have moved their capital city
As Argentina's president mulls switching the capital city from Buenos Aires to Santiago del Estero, here is a look at countries which have switched their capitals
Brasil's relocation of its capital city to the purpose built Brasilia was widely hailed as a success
Russia
Moscow was the capital of the Russian Empire from the 14th Century until 1712.
It then moved to St. Petersburg, in order to be closer to Europe. The Russian capital was moved back to Moscow in 1918.
Brazil
Brazil's capital relocated from overcrowded Rio de Janeiro to the planned, built city of Brasilia in 1961.
Upon its establishment as Brazil's capital, Brasilia experienced very rapid growth. Brazil's capital change was considered a success, and many countries have been inspired by Brazil's capital relocation achievement.
Nigeria
In 1991 the capital of Nigeria, Africa's most populated country, was moved from Lagos because of overcrowding.
Abuja, a planned city in central Nigeria, was deemed to be a more neutral for Nigeria's many ethnic and religious groups.
Kazakhstan
Almaty, in southern Kazakhstan, was the Kazakh capital when the country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Government leaders moved the capital to the northern city of Astana in December 1997. Almaty had little room to expand, could experience an earthquake, and was very close to other newly-independent countries which could experience political turbulence.
Belize
In 1961, Hurricane Hattie badly damaged Belize City, the former capital of Belize.
In 1970 Belmopan, an inland city, became the new capital of Belize to protect the government's operations, documents, and people - in case of another hurricane.
Tanzania
In the 1970s, Tanzania's capital began the move from coastal Dar es Salaam to centrally-located Dodoma. But even after many decades, the move is not complete.
Cote d'Ivoire
In 1983, Yamoussoukro became the capital of Cote d'Ivoire.
This new capital was the hometown of the President of Cote d'Ivoire, Felix Houphouet-Boigny, who wanted to spur development in the central region of Cote d'Ivoire.
However, many government offices and embassies remain in the former capital, Abidjan.
Burma
Burma's capital was formerly Rangoon.
In November 2005, government workers were suddenly told by the military junta to move to the more northern city of Naypyidaw, which had been constructed since 2002 but whose existence not publicised. There is still no clear explanation why Burma's capital was relocated.
I will now get back to bottling my Malbec
