GeographyAges 12+15 questions
World Capitals Quiz
How well do you know the capital cities of the world? This quiz starts with the easy ones and works its way to the capitals that catch out even keen travellers, where the biggest or best-known city is not the seat of government.
Read the questions and answers on this page, or host the quiz live: show it on a big screen and let everyone answer on their own phones, with points for speed and a podium at the end.
The questions
1.What is the capital of France?
- AParis
- BLyon
- CMarseille
- DNice
Show the answer
Paris. Paris has been the capital of France for most of the country's history and is its largest city.
2.What is the capital of Japan?
- AOsaka
- BKyoto
- CTokyo
- DHiroshima
Show the answer
Tokyo. Tokyo has been Japan's capital since 1868, when the imperial seat moved there from Kyoto.
3.The capital of Italy is Rome.
True or false?
Show the answer
True. Rome became the capital of a united Italy in 1871.
4.What is the capital of Egypt?
- AAlexandria
- BCairo
- CLuxor
- DGiza
Show the answer
Cairo. Cairo, on the River Nile, is Egypt's capital and its largest city.
5.What is the capital of Canada?
- AToronto
- BVancouver
- CMontreal
- DOttawa
Show the answer
Ottawa. Ottawa was chosen as the capital by Queen Victoria in 1857, partly as a compromise between English- and French-speaking Canada.
6.What is the capital of Australia?
- ASydney
- BMelbourne
- CCanberra
- DPerth
Show the answer
Canberra. Canberra was purpose-built as the capital, settling the rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne.
7.The capital of Spain is Barcelona.
True or false?
Show the answer
False. Madrid is the capital of Spain; Barcelona is the capital of the region of Catalonia.
8.What is the capital of Brazil?
- ABrasília
- BRio de Janeiro
- CSão Paulo
- DSalvador
Show the answer
Brasília. Brasília was built as a new capital and replaced Rio de Janeiro in 1960.
9.What is the capital of Turkey?
- AIstanbul
- BAnkara
- CIzmir
- DAntalya
Show the answer
Ankara. Ankara became the capital of the new Turkish Republic in 1923; Istanbul is the largest city.
10.What is the capital of Kenya?
- AMombasa
- BKisumu
- CNakuru
- DNairobi
Show the answer
Nairobi. Nairobi is Kenya's capital; Mombasa is its main port on the Indian Ocean.
11.What is the capital of Argentina?
- ABuenos Aires
- BCórdoba
- CRosario
- DMendoza
Show the answer
Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires, on the Río de la Plata, is Argentina's capital and largest city.
12.What is the capital of New Zealand?
- AAuckland
- BWellington
- CChristchurch
- DHamilton
Show the answer
Wellington. Wellington has been the capital since 1865; Auckland is the largest city.
13.What is the capital of Vietnam?
- AHo Chi Minh City
- BDa Nang
- CHanoi
- DHue
Show the answer
Hanoi. Hanoi in the north is the capital; Ho Chi Minh City in the south is the largest city.
14.What is the capital of Morocco?
- ACasablanca
- BMarrakesh
- CFez
- DRabat
Show the answer
Rabat. Rabat is Morocco's capital, while Casablanca is its largest city and business centre.
15.What is the capital of Nigeria?
- AAbuja
- BLagos
- CKano
- DIbadan
Show the answer
Abuja. Abuja replaced Lagos as Nigeria's capital in 1991.
Play it live, everyone on their phones
Put the questions on a big screen, share the PIN, and the leaderboard keeps score. Change any question first — it becomes your own quiz.