What is a forward capital, and what is a classic example?

• A. A capital relocated to a new city to promote development or national integration; example Brasilia, Brazil.
• B. A capital relocated to a different country.
• C. A capital relocated to reduce population.
• D. A capital that is the largest city.

Answer: (C)

A forward capital is a capital city that a country moves to a new location within its borders in order to promote development and national integration, often by placing the seat of government in a central or interior area as part of a planned effort to balance regional growth. Brasilia, Brazil, is the classic example: it was purpose-built and relocated from the coast to the interior to stimulate development inland and symbolize national unity.

The other ideas don’t fit this concept. Moving a capital to a different country would be relocating the national capital outside the country, which is not what a forward capital describes. Moving a capital to reduce population doesn’t align with the goal of boosting development or cohesion. And simply being the largest city isn’t a defining feature of a forward capital; the key is the deliberate relocation within the country to spur growth and integration.