Every country, even the world's youngest nations, has a capital citya centralized location which houses the seat of government and acts as the hub of culture and history. But, what role do capital cities play in the global arena? Which factors have influenced the selection of a municipal center for each nation? This interesting encyclopedia explores the topic in great depth, providing an overview of each country's capitalits history and early inhabitants, ascension to prominence, infrastructure within the government, and influence on the world around them. The author considers the culture and society of the area, discussing who lives there, what people do for fun, and why certain culinary dishes are important to its residents. Capital Cities of the World: From Abu Dhabi to Zagreb features the capital cities of two hundred countries across the globe. Organized in alphabetical order by country, each profile combines social studies, geography, anthropology, world history, and political science to offer a fascinating survey of each location.