How well do you know the capital cities of the world? See how you measure in our fun quiz
Do you know the capital cities of the world as well as you think you do? Would you get lost planning your own travel itinerary?
Take this easy and fun quiz to see how you measure, and how far your knowledge of geography may be off the mark.
Ready for take-off?
1) What is the capital city of Turkey?
a) Istanbul
b) Ankara
c) Andana
d) Bursa
Highlight for answer (Answer: B.
Istanbul is quite often mistaken to be the capital of Turkey due to its history, size and high volume of people visiting its historical sites. Ankara is more low-key and it is mainly known for its Angora goats and cats.)
2) How many capital cities does South Africa have?
a) One
b) Two
c) Three
Highlight for answer (Answer: C.
There are three different capitals in South Africa handling executive, judicial and legislative aspects of the capital, namely Pretoria, Bloemfontein and Cape Town.)
3) The capital of Brazil is ____________.
a) Rio de Janeiro
b) Sao Paolo
c) Brasilia
Highlight for answer (Answer: C. Brasilia
Rio de Janeiro was the capital of Brazil until 1960 but the capital of Brazil is now the futuristic city of Brasilia, which is literally in the middle of the desert.)
4) What is the capital of Canada?
a) Ottawa
b) Toronto
c) Vancouver
d) Montreal
Highlight for answer (Answer: A
Ottawa. Toronto, Montreal and Quebec were capitals of Canada for brief periods until 1857. Queen Victoria chose Ottawa, which is positioned between Toronto and Quebec, to be the capital city. And it has been so ever since.)
5) Zurich is the capital of Switzerland.
a) True
b) False
Highlight for answer (Answer: B
Zurich may be one of the richest cities and the largest in Switzerland but it is not the capital. The more unassuming Bern is the de facto capital.)
6) What is the capital of Morocco?
a) Casablanca
b) Marrakech
c) Rabat
Highlight for answer (Answer: C
If you answered Casablanca, you’ve been deceived by Hollywood magic. The popular movie Casablanca has most people misled. The capital of Morocco is the political epicentre, Rabat)
7) Sydney is the capital of Australia
a) True
b) False
Highlight for answer (Answer: B
Sydney is quite often mistaken as the capital of Australia. The nondescript city of Canberra is the capital for political reasons. Essentially, to make Sydney and Melbourne stop squabbling, Canberra was crowned the national capital in 1908.)
8) Ho Chi Minh City is the capital of Vietnam.
a) True
b) False
Highlight for answer (Answer: B
Far from it. The capital of Vietnam is Hanoi. Hanoi used to be part of North Vietnam before the reunification in 1976. Thus, it became the capital of Vietnam to symbolise the victory of the North, stripping Saigon (or Ho Chi Minh City) of its capital status.
Trivia: The name Ho Chi Minh City was given to Saigon to further shame the South Vietnamese who lost the war. )
By Cheryl Chia
How You Fare
If you got 0-2 correct: You’re a geography dunce! Go back to school, dumbo. You deserve capital punishment.
If you got 3-5 correct: You probably have better geography or travel knowledge than the average person. Kudos to you!
If you got 6-8 correct: You’re very well read or travelled! Keep calm and carry on.
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