Can You Name the Capitals of the World's Largest Countries?

Heather Cahill

Image: Wiki Commons by Rizky Maharani

About This Quiz

Some nations have only one, some have two, and others can have too many to count! When you travel around the world, these may be the places you want to visit, or that are on your bucket list. And it's always good to know a little bit about the countries you are planning to visit. How many cities do you think you can name around the world?

The largest countries in the world are filled with incredible cities bursting with architecture, landmarks and gorgeous cityscapes. Most have a rich history behind them that made them into the cities they are today. Capital cities are often highly administrative and governmental, being the hub for all things politics. If you were to visit only one capital city, which one would you choose? Maybe the capital of Russia, the largest country in the world, or perhaps the capital of Namibia is more of your style.

Countries and their capital cities are very important to the world as a whole. So, if you consider yourself to be a world traveler and think you know all about the largest countries in the world, then you'll have to prove your knowledge. Take the quiz to see if you can score it!

Home to the White House, this city is the capital of the United States. What is it?

Washington is a popular name in the United States. It is used for a state, monuments, and of course for the very first president of the United States, George Washington.

Mali's capital city is what?

Bamako is one of the largest cities in West Africa and lies along the Niger River. Agriculture is one of the largest industries in the country, and with it being so close to the river, fishing is a big part of this.

Australia might not have the capital city you think! Do you know which city is the actual capital?

Canberra may seem like it would not have been the first choice for a capital city because it may not be considered as well known as other cities in Australia. In fact, it wasn't always the first choice. The famous cities of Melbourne and Sydney were also considered for the prestigious title of capital city.

What is the capital city of India?

New Delhi became the capital city in the 1930s, years after the city was built. There was even a stamp to commemorate the event with the country's emperor, George V.

The capital city of Argentina has interesting architecture. What city is it?

Buenos Aires is actually a shortened name for the city. The true name of the city is Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires, which is also shortened with the abbreviation, "CABA."

The Democratic Republic of Congo's capital city is known for being the largest in the country. What is it?

Brazzaville is known for many things such as its large arts scene and World War II history. The city was founded in the 1800s and it is located very close to the Congo River.

What is the capital city of Kazakhstan?

Astana is one of the largest cities in the country, and it also has quite the unique looking skyline. If you're ever in the area, the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation is a must-see that you won't want to miss!

The capital city of Brazil is part of the administrative region. What city is it?

Brasilia is a very important city in Brazil. It is one of the most populated cities in the country and it is known for its beautifully designed buildings that line the streets.

This capital city is in the North in Algeria. Do you know which city it is?

One unique feature of the city is the many white buildings that line the streets. They're part of the reason that the city gets its unique nickname, "Algiers the white."

What is the capital city of Indonesia?

Jakarta is one of the largest cities in the world, and it's only getting bigger! Did you know that the city is not actually a city? It's a province, but still considered the capital of the country.

You'll find the tallest building in the country of Greenland here. Do you know which city it is?

Nuuk is quite scenic as you can see the view of a beautiful mountain in the background of the city. The mountain is known as Sermitsiaq mountain, which is on its own island right near the city.

A province shares its name with the capital city of Saudi Arabia. Do you know what it is?

Riyadh is home to the Al Faisaliyah Center, which is a beautiful and unique looking skyscraper. There are many facilities of worship in the country! Did you know that the city has over 4,000 mosques?

It shares its name with the country of Mexico. Do you know what the capital city is?

Mexico City is an important city in the country of Mexico. Its history has spanned more than 600 years, and since then, the city has flourished. Now, it is home to over 8 million people, up from the 100,000 thousand that lived there upon its discovery.

What is the capital of Sudan?

Khartoum is unique in that the two Nile Rivers connect near the city. The city was founded in 1821 by Muhammad Ali, but we don't mean the boxer! It was actually the King of Egypt's son.

This Canadian city is known for its many important government buildings. What is the capital of Canada?

Ottawa is the capital of Canada and home to the famous Parliament Hill. It is very bilingual with the city being a short drive from Quebec, which speaks mostly French, one of the country's official languages.

What is the capital of Libya?

Tripoli has been inhabited since the B.C. years and it was once part of Roman territory. There are some beautiful structures in the city including the Corinthia Hotel and Tripoli Cathedral.

Golestan Palace is in this capital city of Iran. What city is it?

One of the best places to visit in Tehran is the Grand Bazaar. It is a huge market where you can buy all kinds of goods, all while enjoying your time out on the town.

A large percentage of the population of Mongolia resides in the capital city. Which city is it?

Ulaanbaatar is a very important city to Buddhism. The city was a major player in being a hub for the religion, while today it also boasts many monasteries for practicing the religion.

South Africa's capital city is what?

Pretoria is just one of the official capitals of South Africa. There are actually two others in addition, which include Bloemfontein and Cape Town. The more, the merrier, as they say!

Peru's capital city is known to be a desert city. Which of the following is the capital?

Lima gets its name from people visiting the area who used the word "limaq" for it. Did you know that Lima is known as the "City of Kings?" The flag even has a lot to do with kings as well.

Chad's capital city sits along the edge of the country. Which country is it?

N'Djamena is home to the Chad National Museum, which still has some artifacts. Unfortunately, a civil war caused the loss of some of the historical items in the museum.

Niger's capital city is what?

Niamey has a unique bridge called the "Friendship Bridge." It marks a great relationship between Niger and China due to China's funding of the bridge. China has also funded many other bridges in the country.

It's a noble and loyal city. Can you name the capital city of Colombia?

Bogota is home to the El Dorado Airport, which is named for the famous mythical city. El Dorado is known for its abundance of gold which at one time, made it quite profitable to search for.

Here you'll find Independence Square. What is the capital city of Mozambique?

Maputo was once known by a totally different name. Lourenco Marques was its name from its founding in the 1700s. The real Lourenco Marques was the explorer who came to the area previously.

It's sometimes called the "City of Humans." Can you name the capital of Ethiopia?

Addis Ababa is home to the government of the country. That explains why it is often known as the "Political Capital of Africa!"

Bolivia is a country that has two capitals! Which of the following is one of them?

Sucre is one of the capitals of Bolivia while La Paz is the other. In Sucre, you can attend a world-renowned university called San Francis Xavier University.

It's hot in the capital of Mauritania! Do you know what it is?

Nouakchott is right in the Sahara Desert and along the Atlantic Ocean. After you're done visiting the historic city, Cape Verde is just off the coast of Nouakchott. But who would want to leave the beautiful city when you can visit places like Gallerie Zeinart to visit?

What is the capital city of China?

Beijing is not only China's capital, but it is also one of the largest cities in the world. Over 24 million people live in the city, which is also quite historical. It dates back to 1045 BC, after all.

This city is quite large. Do you know what the capital of Egypt is?

Cairo is known for its beauty and history that dates way back to the BC years. You can even catch a glimpse of the famous Pyramid of Giza from inside the city. It's a view like no other in the world!

Tanzania's capital city is what?

Dar es Salaam was once the famed capital of Tanzania, but the country decided to change it to Dodoma. One of the most famous sports in the city is football, which you can catch many people enjoying on a beautiful day out!

Not technically a city, what is the capital of Nigeria?

Abuja is the place to be if you are in Nigeria and want to get a taste of beautiful architecture. While you're there, Aso Rock is one unique attraction that is sure to amaze you!

Angola's capital city is what?

Luanda is right along the Atlantic Ocean and is the hub of the country. Being along the ocean, it is located in the perfect place to act as a port for boats carrying goods and people to the country.

Cierro El Avida is very close to this capital. What is Venezuela's capital city?

Caracas is the major hub of the country of Venezuela. It's the best place to be in the country for almost any aspect of life. Working, learning and playing in this city is an experience like no other.

Home to a permanent spring, what is the capital city of Namibia?

Windhoek didn't always go by this name. Natives in the area have different names for it as well such as Ai-Gams. It's also a smaller city population wise, as there are just over 300,000 people who live there.

You might know that the capital city of Russia is home to Saint Basil's Cathedral. What city is it?

Moscow is the capital of Russia, and also the place to go if you want to experience the incredible culture of the country. The streets are lined with beautiful buildings, and many areas around the city are blooming with trees and plants.

About HowStuffWorks Play

How much do you know about dinosaurs? What is an octane rating? And how do you use a proper noun? Lucky for you, HowStuffWorks Play is here to help. Our award-winning website offers reliable, easy-to-understand explanations about how the world works. From fun quizzes that bring joy to your day, to compelling photography and fascinating lists, HowStuffWorks Play offers something for everyone. Sometimes we explain how stuff works, other times, we ask you, but we’re always exploring in the name of fun! Because learning is fun, so stick with us!

Explore More Quizzes