Quote:
Originally Posted by Bilbo1967
I've always had the impression that most state capitals aren't the largest/most well known city in the state. Is that true? If so, why?
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The use of "queen city" originated in NC! Charlotte, the largest city in NC, was named in honor of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, who had become queen consort of British King George III the year before the city's founding. Hence, also, the naming of Mecklenburg county in NC! The usage of "queen city" for the largest non-capital city presumably derived from this nickname.
As to the choice of state capitals .... in the larger states/territories of the USA, capital cities were chosen for their geographical location, rather than their population size, so that the capitals would be fairly centrally located for all residents, since most governmental functions were located there. Or, another way to look at it, the capital city would be equally inconvenient for all state residents, who would theoretically have to travel a roughly equal distance to reach it.
For NC, and other states with a long axis, the capital city was chosen to be roughly in the middle of the state on the E-W axis. Which now basically means that if you live in the capital, you have to drive half the state to get to either the beach or the mountains.
End of trivia injection!
