2 . The capital of a country is often a very populated city where much history has been made due to the high-level political and economic functions that occur there. However, sometimes government leaders decide to move the capital from one city to another. Capital relocation has been done hundreds of times throughout history. The ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Chinese changed their capital frequently.
Some countries choose new capitals that are more easily defended in a time of invasion (侵略) or war. Some new capitals are planned and built in previously undeveloped areas to promote development. Countries sometimes change their capital because they expect some type of political, social, or economic benefit. They hope and expect that the new capitals will surely develop into cultural treasure and hopefully make the country a more stable place.
Here are capital relocations that have occurred in approximately the last few centuries.
| Asia | Japan | from Kyoto to Tokyo — 1868 |
| Turkey | from Istanbul to Ankara — 1923 |
| Israel | from Tel Aviv-Jaffo to Jerusalem — 1950 |
| Europe | Poland | from Krakow to Warsaw — 1596 |
| Finland | from Turku to Helsinki — 1812 |
| Italy | from Turin to Florence to Salerno to Rome — 1871 |
| The Americas | The US | from New York to Washington — 1800 |
| Jamaica | from Port Royal to Spanish Town to Kingston — 1872 |
| Oceania | New Zealand | from Auckland to Wellington — 1865 |
1. Why did some countries decide to move the capital?
| A．To further expand their land. |
| B．To uncover ancient treasure. |
| C．To develop undeveloped areas. |
| D．To declare war on another country. |
2. Which country was the earliest to move its capital?
| A．Turkey. | B．Poland. |
| C．The United Sate. | D．New Zealand. |
3. What do Italy and Jamaica have in common?
| A．They moved the capitals more than once. |
| B．Their capitals were destroyed in the war. |
| C．They moved their capitals in the same year. |
| D．Their capitals moved because of the economy. |
