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Examples of known countries relocating their capital city
Dear Editor,
Guyana should move (not only consider moving) its present main prison from Georgetown, but our incumbent Government, should consider giving consideration of moving its current capital Georgetown to a more suitable, convenient and central place within its boundaries of eighty three thousand square miles. We are aware that the Romans for mostly economic reasons had their capital located in the middle of their land space. Thus the saying “all roads lead to Rome. Currently we learn that Argentina’s President mulls switching the capital city from Buenos Aires to Santiago del Estero, a more central and convenient place where it can serve conveniently all its population economically.
In recent times, the following countries have moved there capital mostly for economical and security reasons. Our South American neighbor, Brazil’s relocation of its capital city to the purposely built Brasilia was widely hailed as a success for many reasons; mostly for economic reasons and also accessibility of trade too. Brazil’s capital was 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.
Russia moved its capital to St. Petersburg, in order to be closer to Europe. The Russian capital was moved back to Moscow in 1918. 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. Almaty, in southern Kazakhstan, was the Kazakh capital when the country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Government 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.
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.
In the 1970s, Tanzania’s capital began the move from coastal Dares Salaam to centrally-located Dodoma. But even after many decades, the move is not totally complete. 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’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. There is still no clear explanation why Burma’s capital was relocated. Economically, Guyana with its eighty three thousand square miles should gain more economically if its capital is moved inland within those eight three thousand square miles. Thus, I submit, not only should the main prison of Guyana be moved to a more suitable place but also the capital Georgetown where it can serve as a convenient modern economic center for this country. The current prison in Georgetown is like a millstone tied around the neck of this erstwhile colonial city.
Rooplall Dudhnath
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