The term Federal City (Bundesstadt in German) is a title for certain cities in Germany, Switzerland, the Russian Federation, and the United States.
In Germany, the former capital Bonn has been designated as a Federal City. Since April 28, 1994, it is the second official residence of the President of Germany, the Chancellor of Germany, the Bundesrat (upper house), the first official residence of six federal ministries and approximately 20 federal authorities.
Federal City is also the official title of Bern as the de facto capital of Switzerland. Russia also has two Federal Cities, Moscow and St. Petersburg. Historically, Washington, D.C., has also been called the “Federal City”.
For Bonn, Bern etc. this is merely a title, since Bonn is like many other German cities an independent city, but part of a state.
Some national capitals, like Washington, D.C., Canberra, Mexico City and Brasilia, have a federal status, not belonging to any state. Sometimes this is called Federal district.
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Famous quotes containing the words federal and/or city:
“There are always those who are willing to surrender local self-government and turn over their affairs to some national authority in exchange for a payment of money out of the Federal Treasury. Whenever they find some abuse needs correction in their neighborhood, instead of applying the remedy themselves they seek to have a tribunal sent on from Washington to discharge their duties for them, regardless of the fact that in accepting such supervision they are bartering away their freedom.”
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