Capital question?

Question

why is a state capital in the united states or a canadian provincial capital located where it is? (importance of location)

please help and pick a state

Answer 1

There isn't a single answer to this question - in some cases, the capital was chosen to be centrally located geographically - e.g. Oklahoma City in Oklahoma.  In others, the capital was a major port or other transportation nexus - e.g. Annapolis, MD, or some political intrigue...  Central location is probably the most likely in most cases, as transportation until the mid 1920's was pretty difficult, and communications was also expensive for the time...

Answer 2

"A capital is the area of a country regarded as enjoying primary status; it is almost always the city which physically encompasses the offices and meeting places of the seat of government and fixed by law, but there are a number of exceptions.

Historically, the major economic center of a state or region often becomes the focal point of political power, and becomes a capital through conquest or amalgamation. This was the case for London and Moscow. The capital naturally attracts the politically motivated and those whose skills are needed for efficient administration of government such as lawyers, journalists, and public policy researchers. A capital that is the prime economic, cultural, or intellectual center is sometimes referred to as a primate city. Such is certainly the case with London and Buenos Aires among national capitals, and Irkutsk or Salt Lake City in their respective state or province.

Capitals are sometimes sited to discourage further growth in an existing major city. Brasília was situated in Brazil's interior because the old capital, Rio de Janeiro, and southeastern Brazil in general, were considered over-crowded. ..."

Answer 3

It has to do with history of the state or province, as example Quebec Province in Canada, the capital is Quebec city and not Montreal, in the USA take NY State the capital is not NY city , I think the selection of the state or provincial capital is related to the history of that place

Answer 4

they were sometimes in the middle, which was an advantage trade-wise (shortest distance from everywhere in the place, more easily reached by everyone) and militarily (longest distance from everywhere in the place in case they got invaded).

yeah, they're the same thing.

capitals were also located near abundances of water like seas, rivers, oceans...

that's all i really know.