Few people have heard of Belmopan. In fact, ask most folk to name the capital of Belize and the chances are that they will say Belize City. There is an irony here in that if Belize City was indeed the capital of the country (as it was for many years) it would probably win the title of Ugliest Capital in the World without question, not so much for its aesthetic qualities (it does have some nice buildings) but for the rough and seedy welcome that anyone who has been there will be familiar with (as this post by Aygenlina in her Bacon is Magic blog illustrates). 

No, Belize's modern capital was created in the 1960s when Belize City was hit by one too many hurricanes. Being a small country with a small population, a purpose-built capital was never going to be a grand one. But Belmopan's biggest tragedy was that it was dreamt up and built during the darkest, most unimaginative and architecturally inept period in building design. As a result it's grey concrete buildings resemble a council estate in a mining village in south Wales more than they do a modern capital city.

It is truly drab, with the green spaces between the buildings the only saving grace. Even the Belize Tourist Office can't summon up any enthusiasm for its capital, with its most glowing endorsement being "what Belmopan lacks in size, it makes up for in strategic location". Wow. It's on the crossroads of two of the country's main roads. 

But Belmopan is by no means alone. In recent years other countries have relocated their capitals and created purpose built administrative centres, often miles from anywhere. This excellent description of Burmese capital Naypyidaw by Lonely Planet's Robert Reid leaves the reader in no doubt that a visit to the city will probably leave the traveller scratching their head and asking 'why?' - thankfully, no-one would be there to see your look of bemusement. 

Another capital that might challenge for this title is Ashgabat, the main city of Turkmenistan. Not that it's run-down or full of grey inconspicuous concrete. In fact it's quite the opposite. Ashgabat is perhaps one of the most ostentatious capitals in one of the world's poorest and most repressed states. Gold, marble and the ever-present image of their great leader can be found in ever corner of the capital. Can a city be described as chav? Perhaps Ashgabat stakes a claim to this dubious accolade. This blog by KF and Glen provides a first hand account of a stay in the city here. 

What is the ugliest capital you've managed to visit? Have you arrived at a capital and it's been so ugly you've promptly got the next bus out? Let us know where you would nominate for this prestigious title! 

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