What more does a capital do?

[Thrake]

It has +2 base tax. Is there anything else? Why is AI so interested in its capital in war? Do I get some kind of malus if it is occupied? All I have noticed, is that I seem to be unable to send colonists as long as its occupied.

 

[vale016]

Well, from a gameplay point of view it also sets which trade nodes are interesting to you as it determines where you collect most efficiently. From a historic point of view, of course, it is the cultural, philosophical and often economic centre of your nation, houses the government and usually is has the most inhabitants. It would be kind of strange if a nation would be willing to give up its capital like any other province.
If it's occupied, your war exhaustion and enthusiasm will decline a lot faster.

 

[Yxklyx]

Defends against Sow Discontent and Sabotage Reputation. So build the entire line of Government buildings there.

 

[DominusNovus]

Also determines distance for all your agents (diplomats, colonists, merchants)

 

[petertel123]

you can't annex it in a peace deal unless it is isolated (and you can't annex any other province if you annex the capital, unless you annex the entire country)

 

[Thrake]

Well, from a gameplay point of view it also sets which trade nodes are interesting to you as it determines where you collect most efficiently. From a historic point of view, of course, it is the cultural, philosophical and often economic centre of your nation, houses the government and usually is has the most inhabitants. It would be kind of strange if a nation would be willing to give up its capital like any other province.
If it's occupied, your war exhaustion and enthusiasm will decline a lot faster.

Of course, but history is much more different, with government palaces and a lot of symbolism of the power of the monarch.

Defends against Sow Discontent and Sabotage Reputation. So build the entire line of Government buildings there.

Good point, I didn't know that, thanks! It has been a pain so far with AI OPM thinking they could sabotage freely major powers

you can't annex it in a peace deal unless it is isolated (and you can't annex any other province if you annex the capital, unless you annex the entire country)

Indeed, but AI does moves its capital everytime it is isolated anyway, isn't it?

 

[Pilot00]

Also plays a role in your culture. Doesn't it allow you to culture shift if you move it in a province not of your primary culture?

 

[CelticMutt]

Also plays a role in your culture. Doesn't it allow you to culture shift if you move it in a province not of your primary culture?

Yes, though it may depend on whether that culture is accepted or not. Every time I've seen the decision is when it's a small nation where the province's culture is accepted - Cyprus from French to Greek, Ramazan when I abandoned Anatolia and moved to India turning Sind into my new homeland, etc.

 

[aitaituo]

Yes, though it may depend on whether that culture is accepted or not. Every time I've seen the decision is when it's a small nation where the province's culture is accepted - Cyprus from French to Greek, Ramazan when I abandoned Anatolia and moved to India turning Sind into my new homeland, etc.

The decision requires that the culture of your capital province is also the dominant culture of your nation. Dominant, IIRC, meaning more than 50% of your total base tax.

 

[Alsn]

The decision requires that the culture of your capital province is also the dominant culture of your nation. Dominant, IIRC, meaning more than 50% of your total base tax.

Almost, but not quite. Dominant in the sense that it needs to be the most common culture. Although I'm not sure if that's total base tax, or total # of provinces(I think it's the latter).

 

[Boon63]

capitales give a +10% manpower bonus in the province too.

 

[mgoetze]

The most important thing hasn't been mentioned... your capital determines which provinces are distant overseas.