A
capital city (or simply
capital) is the
municipality enjoying primary status in a
country,
state,
province, or other
region, usually as its
seat of government. A capital is typically a city that physically encompasses the offices and meeting places of its respective
government; the status as capital is often designated by its
law or
constitution. In some
jurisdictions, including several countries, the different branches of government are located in different settlements. In some cases, a distinction is made between the official (constitutional) capital and the seat of government, which is in another place.