With a (metropiltan) population of 1.68m as opposed to Bern's 122,000 or so with Bern being the 4th most populous city in Switzerland why is it the capital (which it has been only since 1848)?

Zürich is Switzerland's cultural & commercial capital apparantly, has the most successful football teams & is named after a major landmark (a tombstone which was a major tax post rather than a Bear pit) & is historically more significant even having a railway before any other Swiss city.

If you were to ask the whole population of the world what is Switzerland's capital maybe 80% would say Zürich, so whose idea was it to make Bern the capital?

Probably closer to 99% than to 80%.

There are a lot iof illiterates out there

In answer to your question, get yourself a history book

I am surprised Schwyz is not the capital.

Sort of like why is NYC not the capital of the USA.

because the capital city doesn't have to be the most populous city.

Bern was a compromise. Zurich, Bern, and Lucerne were competing to be the capital. The Swiss French objected to Zurich so Bern was chosen. In compensation, Zurich got the ETH.

Yes I do know that but it usually is & makes more sense in Zürich's case.

Don't know my history on this & was wondering what was the capital before 1848?

Before 1813, Switzerland was occupied by France, so no capital. Then until 1848, it was a period of great unrest (war of Sonderbund etc..).

Most federated countries choose a political capital that is not the main commercial center. Examples:

• USA: Washington not New York
• Australia: Canberra not Sydney
• Brazil: Brasilia not Rio
• India: Delhi not Mumbai
• Germany: Berlin not Frankfurt

Political and commercial integrated capitals are in centralized imperialistic and former colonial powers, e.g. UK, France, Russia, Spain, etc.

You forgot Canada: Ottowa not Toronto.

It is the logical consequence of having a federal state that not all power (political, economic etc) should be concentrated in one area.

Main commercial center of Brazil is São Paulo and not Rio... any way Rio was the former capital until it was moved to Brasilia in the 60's, the rest of Brazil would never allow São Paulo be the capital.

Many people seem to also think that Geneva is the capital of Switzerland...

I thought the capital city of Switzerland was Stockholm.





Apparently Iran is considering moving it's capital, as Tehran is in an earthquake zone, and is full of people who don't agree with the current regime.

Brings back memories of this debate about whether Switzerland even has a capital or merely a "federal city"

Does Switzerland have a capital?

Old Swiss Confederacy (1291–1798)
Capital: None initially, Zürich from the 16th century

Helvetic Republic(1798–1802)
Capital: Lucerne

Federal state (since 1848)
Capital: Bern

So that we can all win points on Trivial Pursuit when playing against foreigners...

The political compromise between the two cultures and languages is the reason, pretty much the same as Ottawa in Canada, where one would presume Montreal or Toronto would have been chosen.

geographically due to the shape of river in downtown of Bern, it's much easier to hide and protect Gold,... in safe place beneath.

Your point is understood, but USA, India, and Germany are wrong examples. And even provide the backing to argue against your point, which is to say things change in history, and what used to the former big city/centre may have changed. Philadelphia was the main city of the US when it's capital was chosen. Delhi was the capital on the Mughal Empire for centuries long before Mumbai even existed. Many of the modern big cities of India were created during the Raj. As for Germany, I think everyone knows from their European history why Berlin became the capital.

Canada, Brasil, Australia are younger countries where your logic applies. But not to older countries with well established and changing capitals provide a different reason.

actually, the true story revolved losing a bet during a heavy drinking session.

German history you mean, shurely.

I actually do know it from European history.
We don't study German history in Greek secondary education, but we do study European history.