Source: ChatGPT, so take with a grain of salt. This is directionally correct though, as I spot-checked. I welcome a better-sourced graph. I didn’t include some countries with very special situations, like Turkey’s Ankara, to keep the message simple. Ankara also has its weird reasons for being the capital, which I’ll eventually cover.
Most of the capitals of countries around the Mediterranean have existed for thousands of years. In fact, Romans didn’t found the majority, but rather further developed the biggest and best positioned ones. London is an exception because it required a bridge that locals couldn’t build.
Indeed, bridges are a common theme in European capitals:
Press enter or click to view image in full size
Nearly all the capitals have bridges because they have rivers.
Press enter or click to view image in full size
But can you name Madrid’s river? No? You sure? Fret not. Madrid’s river is puny. It is weak. It is an affront on capital rivers. It is a feeble stream.
