World Capitals Quiz: 10 Cities to Identify
Test your world capitals knowledge with 10 free questions, from Canberra to Cairo. Learn why each answer is right, with no timer or sign-up.
Knowing a country's biggest city is not always enough to identify its capital. This world capitals quiz covers ten national capitals across Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas. Some questions ask for a city directly; others use a river or island as a clue. After each answer, a short explanation connects the name to its location or history. Notice especially the difference between a political capital and a better-known commercial city. Take the questions at your own pace, then use the study guide to revisit the places you found hardest.
What is the capital of Australia?
Your question-by-question study guide
Prefer to read, or revisit what you learned? Explore every question below. Open an answer when you’re ready.
1. What is the capital of Australia?
- Melbourne
- Perth
- Canberra
- Sydney
Reveal answer and explanation
Canberra — Canberra was chosen as a compromise between rivals Sydney and Melbourne.
2. Which capital stands on the River Seine?
- Prague
- Paris
- Rome
- Vienna
Reveal answer and explanation
Paris — The Seine flows through Paris and passes landmarks such as Notre-Dame.
3. What is the capital of Japan?
- Tokyo
- Kyoto
- Osaka
- Nagoya
Reveal answer and explanation
Tokyo — Tokyo became Japan's political center when the imperial court moved there in 1868.
4. Which city is Canada's capital?
- Toronto
- Vancouver
- Montreal
- Ottawa
Reveal answer and explanation
Ottawa — Ottawa sits on the Ottawa River, on the border between Ontario and Quebec.
5. What is the capital of Kenya?
- Kampala
- Kigali
- Nairobi
- Mombasa
Reveal answer and explanation
Nairobi — Nairobi is inland; Mombasa is Kenya's major Indian Ocean port.
6. Which city is the capital of Argentina?
- Montevideo
- Buenos Aires
- Lima
- Santiago
Reveal answer and explanation
Buenos Aires — Buenos Aires lies on the western shore of the Río de la Plata estuary.
7. What is the capital of Portugal?
- Lisbon
- Porto
- Madrid
- Faro
Reveal answer and explanation
Lisbon — Lisbon stands near the mouth of the Tagus River on Portugal's Atlantic coast.
8. What is the capital of Iceland?
- Helsinki
- Oslo
- Tallinn
- Reykjavík
Reveal answer and explanation
Reykjavík — Reykjavík is Iceland's capital and largest city, on the island's southwest coast.
9. What is the capital of Egypt?
- Luxor
- Aswan
- Cairo
- Alexandria
Reveal answer and explanation
Cairo — Cairo lies along the Nile near the southern end of the Nile Delta.
10. Which city is New Zealand's capital?
- Dunedin
- Wellington
- Auckland
- Christchurch
Reveal answer and explanation
Wellington — Wellington sits near the southern tip of New Zealand's North Island.