Which capital city has the largest land area? This question often sparks curiosity and debate among geography enthusiasts and urban planners alike. Determining the answer requires an examination of the land area of various capital cities around the world, taking into account their geographical boundaries and expansions over time.
The capital city with the largest land area is not a single city, but rather a group of cities. The South American country of Brazil has two capital cities: Brasília and São Paulo. While São Paulo is the most populous and economically significant city, Brasília holds the record for the largest land area. Officially established as Brazil’s capital in 1960, Brasília covers an impressive 5,802 square kilometers (2,240 square miles). This vast area is primarily a planned city, designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer and urban planner Lúcio Costa.
In second place is the capital city of Australia, Canberra. Situated in the Australian Capital Territory, Canberra covers an area of approximately 2,358 square kilometers (910 square miles). The city was established in 1913 and was designed to be a capital city for Australia, separate from the more established colonial cities of Sydney and Melbourne.
Another notable capital city with a large land area is the capital of Russia, Moscow. With a total area of around 2,511 square kilometers (977 square miles), Moscow is the largest city in Europe by land area. While not as expansive as Brasília or Canberra, Moscow’s vast territory includes a multitude of parks, forests, and green spaces, which contribute to its impressive size.
Several other capital cities have significant land areas, including the capital of Canada, Ottawa, with an area of approximately 1,455 square kilometers (563 square miles), and the capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, with an area of about 3,710 square kilometers (1,433 square miles).
The land area of a capital city can be influenced by various factors, including geographical features, historical developments, and political decisions. As cities continue to grow and evolve, it will be interesting to see how the rankings of capital cities with the largest land area may change in the future. For now, Brasília, Canberra, and Moscow stand out as notable examples of cities with expansive territories.
