Seat of government
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The seat of government is the location of the government for a political entity. The seat of government is usually located in the capital. In some countries the seat of government differs from the capital, e.g. in the Netherlands where The Hague is the seat of government and Amsterdam is the Capital of the Netherlands.
[edit] Australia
The seat of government and national capital is Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory, a territory excised from New South Wales in accordance with the Constitution and the Seat of Government Act of 1908. However, until 1927 the de facto capital was Melbourne.
[edit] United States
The seat of government of the United States was established by the United States Constitution in article I, section 8, clause 17:
- The Congress shall have power ... to exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful buildings; ...
The seat of government of the United States has been in Washington, D.C. since 1800. Before 1800, Congress met in eight different locations.
Other seats of governments:
