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capital city

By , About.com Guide

Definition: A capital city in Canada is a city in which the federal government, or provincial or territory government is located. Canada currently has 14 capital cities: Ottawa, the national capital; 10 for each of the provinces; and three for each of the territories.

The capital cities in Canada were chosen for a variety of reasons, especially location and size, although the significance of both may have changed over the years. A city often gains benefits from being a capital - government jobs, infrastructure, museums, parks, and tourism attractions for example. As the centre of government, political and ecomomic power, a capital city also may attract head offices of private sector corporations and non-governmental organizations.

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