Africa(54)

Country Capital Interesting fact about the capital
Algeria Algiers Algiers is nicknamed “Algiers the White” because of its bright white buildings facing the Mediterranean Sea.
Angola Luanda Luanda is one of the largest Portuguese-speaking cities in the world.
Benin Porto-Novo Porto-Novo is the official capital, but Cotonou is the country’s main economic and government center.
Botswana Gaborone Gaborone grew rapidly after Botswana gained independence in 1966.
Burkina Faso Ouagadougou Ouagadougou is famous for hosting FESPACO, one of Africa’s biggest film festivals.
Burundi Gitega Gitega became Burundi’s political capital, replacing Bujumbura in that role.
Cabo Verde Praia Praia is located on Santiago Island, the largest island in Cabo Verde.
Cameroon Yaoundé Yaoundé is built across several hills, giving the city a naturally scenic layout.
Central African Republic Bangui Bangui sits on the banks of the Ubangi River.
Chad N’Djamena N’Djamena lies near the border with Cameroon, across the Chari River.
Comoros Moroni Moroni is located on Grande Comore, a volcanic island.
Congo Brazzaville Brazzaville sits directly across the Congo River from Kinshasa.
Côte d’Ivoire Yamoussoukro Yamoussoukro is home to one of the world’s largest Christian church buildings, the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace.
Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa Kinshasa is one of the largest French-speaking cities in the world.
Djibouti Djibouti Djibouti city is both the capital and the country’s main port.
Egypt Cairo Cairo is often called “the City of a Thousand Minarets” because of its historic Islamic architecture.
Equatorial Guinea Malabo Malabo is located on Bioko Island, not on the mainland.
Eritrea Asmara Asmara is known for its well-preserved Italian modernist architecture.
Eswatini Mbabane Mbabane is the administrative capital, while Lobamba is the royal and legislative capital.
Ethiopia Addis Ababa Addis Ababa is home to the headquarters of the African Union.
Gabon Libreville Libreville means “free town” in French.
Gambia Banjul Banjul is located on an island at the mouth of the Gambia River.
Ghana Accra Accra is one of West Africa’s most vibrant cultural and business hubs.
Guinea Conakry Conakry is a port city located on the Atlantic coast.
Guinea-Bissau Bissau Bissau is known for its Portuguese colonial-era architecture.
Kenya Nairobi Nairobi is one of the few capitals in the world with a national park inside the city limits.
Lesotho Maseru Maseru lies along the Caledon River near the border with South Africa.
Liberia Monrovia Monrovia was named after U.S. President James Monroe.
Libya Tripoli Tripoli’s old city has a long history shaped by Roman, Ottoman, and Italian influence.
Madagascar Antananarivo Antananarivo is often shortened to “Tana.”
Malawi Lilongwe Lilongwe became Malawi’s capital in 1975.
Mali Bamako Bamako lies on the Niger River and is one of West Africa’s fastest-growing cities.
Mauritania Nouakchott Nouakchott was a small village before becoming the capital in 1960.
Mauritius Port Louis Port Louis is one of the busiest ports in the Indian Ocean region.
Morocco Rabat Rabat is known for its blend of Islamic and French colonial architecture.
Mozambique Maputo Maputo is famous for its wide avenues and Portuguese-influenced architecture.
Namibia Windhoek Windhoek is located near the geographic center of Namibia.
Niger Niamey Niamey sits along the Niger River.
Nigeria Abuja Abuja was purpose-built to replace Lagos as Nigeria’s capital.
Rwanda Kigali Kigali is widely known as one of Africa’s cleanest capitals.
São Tomé and Príncipe São Tomé São Tomé city is located on the island of São Tomé.
Senegal Dakar Dakar is the westernmost capital city on mainland Africa.
Seychelles Victoria Victoria is one of the smallest capital cities in the world.
Sierra Leone Freetown Freetown was founded as a settlement for freed slaves.
Somalia Mogadishu Mogadishu has been an important Indian Ocean trading port for centuries.
South Africa Pretoria Pretoria is the executive capital; South Africa also has legislative and judicial capitals.
South Sudan Juba Juba became the capital when South Sudan became independent in 2011.
Sudan Khartoum Khartoum sits where the Blue Nile and White Nile meet.
Tanzania Dodoma Dodoma is the official capital, though Dar es Salaam remains a major commercial center.
Togo Lomé Lomé is located directly on the Gulf of Guinea.
Tunisia Tunis Tunis is near the ancient ruins of Carthage.
Uganda Kampala Kampala is traditionally said to be built on seven hills.
Zambia Lusaka Lusaka became Zambia’s capital in 1935.
Zimbabwe Harare Harare is known for its jacaranda-lined streets.

Asia(48)

Country Capital Interesting fact about the capital
Afghanistan Kabul Kabul is one of the highest capital cities in the world.
Armenia Yerevan Yerevan is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities.
Azerbaijan Baku Baku is the lowest-lying national capital, sitting below sea level.
Bahrain Manama Manama has long been a trading center in the Persian Gulf.
Bangladesh Dhaka Dhaka is famous for its rickshaws and vibrant street life.
Bhutan Thimphu Thimphu is one of the few capitals without traffic lights.
Brunei Bandar Seri Begawan The capital is known for its grand mosques and water villages.
Cambodia Phnom Penh Phnom Penh sits at the meeting point of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers.
China Beijing Beijing has served as China’s capital for several dynasties.
Cyprus Nicosia Nicosia is often described as the last divided capital in Europe, though geographically Cyprus is in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Georgia Tbilisi Tbilisi is known for its natural hot springs.
India New Delhi New Delhi was designed as part of the British imperial capital project in the early 20th century.
Indonesia Jakarta Jakarta is one of the world’s most populous metropolitan areas.
Iran Tehran Tehran sits at the foot of the Alborz Mountains.
Iraq Baghdad Baghdad was once a major center of learning during the Islamic Golden Age.
Israel Jerusalem Jerusalem is sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Japan Tokyo Tokyo is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world.
Jordan Amman Amman was built across many hills and has ancient Roman ruins.
Kazakhstan Astana Astana is known for futuristic architecture and planned-city design.
Kuwait Kuwait City Kuwait City has distinctive modern towers along the Persian Gulf.
Kyrgyzstan Bishkek Bishkek is known for its wide boulevards and mountain backdrop.
Laos Vientiane Vientiane is one of Southeast Asia’s quieter capitals.
Lebanon Beirut Beirut has been called the “Paris of the Middle East.”
Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur is famous for the Petronas Twin Towers.
Maldives Malé Malé is one of the most densely populated capital cities in the world.
Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Ulaanbaatar is the coldest national capital in the world by average temperature.
Myanmar Naypyidaw Naypyidaw is a purpose-built capital known for its unusually wide roads.
Nepal Kathmandu Kathmandu is surrounded by the Himalayas and has many UNESCO-listed heritage sites.
North Korea Pyongyang Pyongyang is one of the oldest cities on the Korean Peninsula.
Oman Muscat Muscat is known for its white buildings and mountain-meets-sea landscape.
Pakistan Islamabad Islamabad was planned and built to replace Karachi as the capital.
Philippines Manila Manila is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Southeast Asia.
Qatar Doha Doha has become a major global aviation and sports hub.
Saudi Arabia Riyadh Riyadh grew from an oasis settlement into a major modern capital.
Singapore Singapore Singapore is a city-state, so the capital and the country are the same.
South Korea Seoul Seoul’s metropolitan area is one of the largest in the world.
Sri Lanka Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte It is Sri Lanka’s legislative capital, while Colombo remains the commercial center.
Syria Damascus Damascus is often cited as one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities.
Tajikistan Dushanbe Dushanbe means “Monday,” referring to a historic Monday market.
Thailand Bangkok Bangkok’s ceremonial full name is one of the longest place names in the world.
Timor-Leste Dili Dili sits on the northern coast of Timor Island.
Türkiye Ankara Ankara replaced Istanbul as the capital in 1923.
Turkmenistan Ashgabat Ashgabat is known for its white marble buildings.
United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi is the largest emirate by area.
Uzbekistan Tashkent Tashkent is one of Central Asia’s major historic Silk Road cities.
Vietnam Hanoi Hanoi is known for its Old Quarter and French colonial architecture.
Yemen Sana’a Sana’a’s old city is famous for its distinctive tower houses.

Europe(44)

Country Capital Interesting fact about the capital
Albania Tirana Tirana is known for its colorful buildings and lively public squares.
Andorra Andorra la Vella It is one of the highest capital cities in Europe.
Austria Vienna Vienna is famous for classical music and coffeehouse culture.
Belarus Minsk Minsk was heavily rebuilt after World War II.
Belgium Brussels Brussels is home to major European Union institutions.
Bosnia and Herzegovina Sarajevo Sarajevo hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics.
Bulgaria Sofia Sofia has Roman ruins visible in the city center.
Croatia Zagreb Zagreb is known for its medieval old town and café culture.
Czechia Prague Prague is famous for its historic Charles Bridge and castle district.
Denmark Copenhagen Copenhagen is known for cycling culture and colorful Nyhavn harbor.
Estonia Tallinn Tallinn has one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval old towns.
Finland Helsinki Helsinki is known for modern design and seaside architecture.
France Paris Paris is one of the world’s most visited cities.
Germany Berlin Berlin has become a major center for art, history, and technology.
Greece Athens Athens is one of the world’s oldest cities and the birthplace of democracy.
Hungary Budapest Budapest is famous for its thermal baths.
Iceland Reykjavík Reykjavík is the northernmost capital of a sovereign country.
Ireland Dublin Dublin is known for its literary history and Georgian architecture.
Italy Rome Rome is often called the “Eternal City.”
Latvia Riga Riga is famous for Art Nouveau architecture.
Liechtenstein Vaduz Vaduz is one of the smallest capitals in Europe.
Lithuania Vilnius Vilnius has a large baroque old town.
Luxembourg Luxembourg City Luxembourg City is built on dramatic cliffs and valleys.
Malta Valletta Valletta is one of Europe’s smallest capital cities.
Moldova Chișinău Chișinău is known for its parks and Soviet-era architecture.
Monaco Monaco Monaco is a city-state known for its harbor and Grand Prix.
Montenegro Podgorica Podgorica lies near the confluence of several rivers.
Netherlands Amsterdam Amsterdam is famous for canals, bicycles, and historic merchant houses.
North Macedonia Skopje Skopje is the birthplace of Mother Teresa.
Norway Oslo Oslo is known for its fjord setting and green urban spaces.
Poland Warsaw Warsaw’s old town was rebuilt after World War II.
Portugal Lisbon Lisbon is one of Europe’s oldest capitals.
Romania Bucharest Bucharest was once nicknamed “Little Paris.”
Russia Moscow Moscow is home to the Kremlin and Red Square.
San Marino San Marino San Marino is one of the world’s oldest republics.
Serbia Belgrade Belgrade sits where the Danube and Sava rivers meet.
Slovakia Bratislava Bratislava borders both Austria and Hungary.
Slovenia Ljubljana Ljubljana is known for its pedestrian-friendly city center.
Spain Madrid Madrid is one of the highest capital cities in Europe.
Sweden Stockholm Stockholm is built across many islands.
Switzerland Bern Bern’s old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ukraine Kyiv Kyiv is one of Eastern Europe’s oldest cities.
United Kingdom London London has served as a major global financial and cultural center for centuries.
Vatican City Vatican City Vatican City is the world’s smallest independent state by area.

North America and the Caribbean(23)

Country Capital Interesting fact about the capital
Antigua and Barbuda Saint John’s Saint John’s is known for its colorful harbor and colonial-era cathedral.
Bahamas Nassau Nassau is located on New Providence Island.
Barbados Bridgetown Bridgetown’s historic area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Belize Belmopan Belmopan was built after a hurricane damaged Belize City.
Canada Ottawa Ottawa was chosen partly as a compromise between English- and French-speaking regions.
Costa Rica San José San José sits in Costa Rica’s Central Valley.
Cuba Havana Havana is famous for its old city, classic cars, and colonial architecture.
Dominica Roseau Roseau is surrounded by mountains and rainforest.
Dominican Republic Santo Domingo Santo Domingo is the oldest continuously inhabited European-founded city in the Americas.
El Salvador San Salvador San Salvador lies near several volcanoes.
Grenada Saint George’s Saint George’s is known for its horseshoe-shaped harbor.
Guatemala Guatemala City Guatemala City is the largest city in Central America.
Haiti Port-au-Prince Port-au-Prince sits on the Gulf of Gonâve.
Honduras Tegucigalpa Tegucigalpa is located in a mountainous region.
Jamaica Kingston Kingston is the birthplace of reggae’s global rise.
Mexico Mexico City Mexico City was built on the site of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlán.
Nicaragua Managua Managua sits on the southern shore of Lake Managua.
Panama Panama City Panama City is the only capital with a rainforest inside city limits.
Saint Kitts and Nevis Basseterre Basseterre is one of the oldest towns in the eastern Caribbean.
Saint Lucia Castries Castries has one of the Caribbean’s important natural harbors.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Kingstown Kingstown is known for its botanical gardens.
Trinidad and Tobago Port of Spain Port of Spain is famous for Carnival celebrations.
United States Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. was created as a planned federal capital.

South America(12)

Country Capital Interesting fact about the capital
Argentina Buenos Aires Buenos Aires is famous for tango music and dance.
Bolivia Sucre Sucre is the constitutional capital, while La Paz is the seat of government.
Brazil Brasília Brasília was purpose-built and inaugurated in 1960.
Chile Santiago Santiago sits between the Andes Mountains and the Chilean coastal range.
Colombia Bogotá Bogotá is one of the highest major capitals in the world.
Ecuador Quito Quito was one of the first cities named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Guyana Georgetown Georgetown is known for wooden colonial architecture.
Paraguay Asunción Asunción is one of the oldest cities in South America.
Peru Lima Lima was once the capital of Spain’s South American empire.
Suriname Paramaribo Paramaribo has a historic city center with Dutch colonial architecture.
Uruguay Montevideo Montevideo sits on the Río de la Plata.
Venezuela Caracas Caracas lies in a valley near the Caribbean coast.

Oceania

Country Capital Interesting fact about the capital
Australia Canberra Canberra was chosen as a compromise between Sydney and Melbourne.
Fiji Suva Suva is one of the largest urban centers in the South Pacific.
Kiribati South Tarawa South Tarawa is made up of narrow islets in the central Pacific.
Marshall Islands Majuro Majuro is an atoll capital with a lagoon at its center.
Micronesia Palikir Palikir is located on the island of Pohnpei.
Nauru Yaren Nauru has no official capital, but Yaren functions as the de facto capital district.
New Zealand Wellington Wellington is one of the windiest capital cities in the world.
Palau Ngerulmud Ngerulmud is one of the least populous national capitals.
Papua New Guinea Port Moresby Port Moresby is one of the largest cities in the Pacific Islands region.
Samoa Apia Apia is located on the island of Upolu.
Solomon Islands Honiara Honiara is located on Guadalcanal Island.
Tonga Nukuʻalofa Nukuʻalofa means “abode of love.”
Tuvalu Funafuti Funafuti is an atoll capital vulnerable to rising sea levels.
Vanuatu Port Vila Port Vila is known for its harbor and island scenery.

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