Can You Guess the Country from Its Capital City?
Updated: Dec. 02, 2022How well do you know the world's capital cities? This quiz will put your geography trivia to the test.
Capital cities around the world
Whether you have traveled to three countries or 30, anyone can become a geography wiz. Looking to prove your own capital city smarts? Seasoned jetsetters and travel newbies alike have what it takes to ace this quiz. Once you do, see if you can answer these 30 geography questions that everyone keeps getting wrong.
Reykjavik is the capital of which country?
More than 60 percent of this country’s population lives in Reykjavik, its capital city. If you’re still stumped on the answer, here is another hint: This country was the last place on earth to be settled by humans when Vikings discovered it by accident over 1,000 years ago. Can you guess which country it is? Try to name the capitals of these U.S. states, too.
Answer: C. Iceland
Located at a latitude of 64.1466° N, Reykjavik is only 2° below the Arctic Circle—making it the northernmost capital city in the world. But it might be tough to find a quick burger or coffee inside city limits. Reykjavik is the only capital city in Europe that doesn’t have a McDonald’s or Starbucks location. In fact, Iceland is one of the 9 countries that have banned McDonald’s outright.
Bangkok is the capital of which country?
Did you know that Bangkok’s official name has 168 letters? Try saying this three times fast: Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit. Then try to guess which country calls Bangkok its capital. Discover some of the most remote places on Earth.
Answer: B. Thailand
Though Thailand is famous for its colorful food markets, visitors search high and low for a rarer and more coveted cuisine. Delicacies called swiftlet nests, made from the strands of saliva from a male swiftlet bird, are found only in Thailand. Locals gather the nests from nearby caves and sell them for more than $900 per pound.
Kampala is the capital of which country?
Green highland bananas called matooke are a staple in Kampalan kitchens. In fact, the average resident of this capital city eats more than 552 pounds of matooke a year. In addition to being the most populous city in the country, Kampala is also home to a large population of antelopes called impalas—hence its name.
Answer: A. Uganda
Uganda is the most ethnically diverse country in the world, with more than 30 languages spoken by its citizens. Along with the native language of Luganda, Ugandans often speak “Uglish,” a localized form of English. But greeting someone requires no words at all, since many Ugandans kneel instead. Bet you didn’t learn these 23 U.S. geography facts in school, either.
Thimphu is the capital of which country?
With a population of a little over 100,000, the city of Thimphu is tiny but mighty. Its most famous attraction is the golden Shakyamuni Buddha statue overlooking the city, which stands at nearly 170 feet tall and houses 125,000 smaller Buddha statues placed inside it.
Answer: B. Bhutan
Bhutan is just half the size of the state of Indiana and was mostly isolated (and unplugged) until the 20th century. When the government removed its ban on TV and the Internet in 1999, Bhutan became one of the last countries in the world to receive TV and Internet connection. Prove your geography genius by passing this geography 101 quiz next.
Warsaw is the capital of which country?
During World War II, bombing raids by the German army left 85 percent of Warsaw’s buildings in ruins. The city was nicknamed the “Phoenix City” after it was rebuilt, honoring its figurative rebirth following the war. Today, Warsaw’s historic city center is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Where would you need to fly to visit? Learn about 15 countries that existed 100 years ago, but don’t anymore.
Answer: B. Poland
While Poland is covered in snow and ice for most of the year, it also contains a vast collection of beautiful waterfronts. The country has more than 2000 lakes, as well as an estimated 328 miles of coastline along the Baltic Sea. But the Polish might spend more time at bars than beaches, considering the average resident drinks 99 liters of beer per year.
Ankara is the capital of which country?
Inhabited since the Stone Age, Ankara offers spectacular architectural sites dating back to the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires. Its modern attractions are just as impressive. When Ankara’s amusement park opened in 2019, it had 17 roller coasters, tying with Cedar Point in Ohio for the most roller coasters in the world. Can you guess where it is found?
Answer: A. Turkey
Istanbul may be Turkey’s largest and most famous city, but the country’s government is officially based in the city of Ankara. Surprised? If you thought Istanbul was the capital of Turkey, you are not alone. Here are 30 more geography facts everyone gets wrong.
Astana is the capital of which country?
Bundle up, visitors: Astana is the second-coldest capital city in the world, after the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar. Average temperatures dip far below zero during winter, and the city receives snow 124 days out of the year, with flakes continuing to fall well into June. Take a guess on which country you’ll find Astana.
Answer: A. Kazakhstan
Spanning across more than one million square miles, Kazakhstan is bigger than all of Western Europe combined. Yet its borders never touch the ocean, making it the world’s largest landlocked country. Instead of coastlines, Kazakhstan is surrounded by five countries: Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.
La Paz is the capital of which country?
If you want a great view and Instagram-worthy photos, look no further than La Paz. At nearly 12,000 feet above sea level, La Paz is considered the highest capital city in the world. You won’t find this city in the Himalayas, though. Do you know which country claims La Paz as its capital?
Answer: C. Bolivia
The tropical country of Bolivia provides sanctuary to 40 percent of the world’s animal and plant life. Thanks to its location along the Amazon river basin, the Madidi National Park alone contains 90 species of bat, 50 species of snake, 300 fish, and 12,000 plants. Want to keep going? These National Geography Bee questions just might stump you.
Sources
- Trafalgar: “13 Strange and Interesting Facts about Iceland”
- Bhutan Travel: “Buddha Dordenma Statue”
- World Wildlife Federation: “Ten Interesting Facts about Bhutan”
- Traveller: Beautiful, Bold, and Bizarre: The World’s Best Capital Cities for Travelers
- 12goAsia: 17 Interesting and Unusual Facts About Thailand
- World’s Capital Cities: “Capital Facts for Kampala, Uganda”
- Discover Uganda: “Fun and Serious Facts About Uganda—the Pearl of Africa”
- Just Fun Facts: “Interesting Facts About Warsaw”
- The Telegraph: “16 Things You Didn’t Know About Poland, Europe’s Most Religious Country”
- Encyclopedia Brittanica: “Ankara”
- Nine O’Clock: “10 Facts about Astana”
- Just Fun Facts: “Interesting Facts about Ankara”
- Weather-Atlas: “Astana, Kazakhstan”
- The Telegraph: “19 Things You Didn’t Know About Kazakhstan”
- The Culture Trip: “10 Things to Know Before Visiting La Paz, Bolivia”
- Bolivian Life: “10 Bolivian Fun Facts that Will Blow Your Mind”
