Summer capital

Asummer capitalis a city used as an administrativecapitalduring extended periods of particularly hot summer weather. The term is mostly of relevance in historical contexts ofpolitical systemswith ruling classes that would migrate to a summer capital, making it less prevalent in modern times.The ubiquity ofair conditioningsystems also reduces the imperative to periodically relocate to summer capitals.

Summer capitals around the world

China

Shangdu(Xanadu) was an "Upper Capital" duringKublai Khan's reign in the 13th century.

In theQing dynasty,Chengde Mountain ResortinChengdewas often being used by emperor to perform their official function during the summer months.

In the era of theRepublic of China,core members ofNationalist Party of Chinaoften held meetings atKuling,Jiujiangin summer to make important internal decisions. Foreign businessmen and missionaries also like to spend summer time in Kuling during ROC government rule.

In the era of thePeople's Republic of China,core members of theChinese Communist Partyoften held meetings atBeidaihe Districtin the summer to make important internal decisions.

India

During the reign ofMughalemperorBabur,the city ofKabulin the north-west of the Mughal Empire was used as a summer capital due to its cooler temperatures compared toAgraandDelhi.This practise ended during emperorAurangzeb.

In India, the government of theBritish Rajwas annually transferred toShimladuring the summer months.This practice was stopped due to the difficulty of transporting officialdom, and the negative perceptions of the public about politicians and public servants making such a move.Srinagaris the summer capital of theunion territoryofJammu and Kashmir,withJammubeing its winter capital.Nagpuris the winter capital of the Indian state ofMaharashtra.

Philippines

Baguio Summer Capital arch.

Thehill stationofBaguioin the northern mountains ofLuzonwas selected as the summer capital of the Philippines during theAmerican Occupationin the early 20th century. Its cool climate was a preferred alternative to the sweltering, humid climate of thede factocapital,Manila.While the present sovereign government has long stopped transferring thereen masse,the city still hosts the officialsummer residenceof the President of the Philippines,and the Supreme Court of the Philippines still maintains its "Summer Sessions" in the city, while it remains a popular holiday spot, especially aroundChristmas season,when temperatures are considerably lower than in the rest of the archipelago.

Russia

Following Russia's loss of the traditionally popular resorts of theCrimea(transferredaway from theRussian SFSRto theUkrainian SSRin 1954 byNikita Khrushchev),Sochiemerged as the unofficial summer capital of the country.Additionally, Sochi has also served as the location for the signing of many treaties, especially those between theGeorgian,separatistAbkhazian,and separatistSouth Ossetiangoverning authorities.

Saudi Arabia

The Saudi royal family has historically relocated to the mountainous city ofTaif,nearMecca,which is far cooler in the summer months than the official capital ofSaudi Arabia,Riyadh.

Spain

The location ofSan Sebastiánin the cooler, northern seaside ofSpainclose to the French border ideally placed it as a summer capital alternative toMadrid.Maria Christina of Austria,the queen consort of Spain, vacationed there from 1887 and was followed by the court. The dictatorFrancisco Francospent the summers between 1941 and 1975 at the Ayete Palace.

See also

• List of countries with multiple capitals