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Cities of the World
The great cities, and what makes each one distinctive.
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Which major city spans two continents?
Capitals That Catch People Out
Nearly every question here has an obvious answer that is wrong. In each case the biggest, best-known city lost the title, or never had it.
About this topic
There is a pattern behind almost every surprising capital: governments move away from their largest city on purpose. Sometimes it is to escape a crowded, expensive, flood-prone port. Sometimes it is to sit on neutral ground between rival regions or ethnic groups. Sometimes a leader simply wanted a capital of their own making. The result is a long list of countries where the city everybody names is not the seat of government. These are the ten that catch people out most often, and each explanation gives the reason the swap happened.
Questions & answers
Capitals That Catch People Out: all 10 questions and answers
Every question in this quiz is listed below with its correct answer and the reasoning behind it. Play first if you would rather not see the answers — or read through as a study sheet.
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1What is the capital of Myanmar?
- A Yangon
- B Mandalay
- C Bago
- D Naypyidaw Correct
Answer: D. Naypyidaw
Why: The government moved to the purpose-built Naypyidaw in 2005, catching most of the world by surprise. Yangon, the former capital, is still far larger and remains the commercial centre.
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2What is the capital of the Philippines?
- A Cebu City
- B Davao City
- C Manila Correct
- D Quezon City
Answer: C. Manila
Why: Manila holds the title, though neighbouring Quezon City is larger and actually served as capital between 1948 and 1976. Both sit inside the same metropolitan sprawl.
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3What is the official capital of Côte d'Ivoire?
- A San-Pédro
- B Yamoussoukro Correct
- C Abidjan
- D Bouaké
Answer: B. Yamoussoukro
Why: Yamoussoukro, the home village of the country's first president, was made the official capital in 1983. Most embassies and government business stayed in Abidjan.
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4What is the constitutional capital of Bolivia?
- A Sucre Correct
- B La Paz
- C Santa Cruz
- D Cochabamba
Answer: A. Sucre
Why: Sucre is the constitutional capital and holds the supreme court, but the legislature and the president sit in La Paz. Both cities have a legitimate claim to the title.
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5What is the capital of Tanzania?
- A Dar es Salaam
- B Arusha
- C Mwanza
- D Dodoma Correct
Answer: D. Dodoma
Why: Dodoma was designated in 1974 for its central location, though the transfer of government offices took decades. Dar es Salaam is still the largest city and main port.
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6What is the official capital of Sri Lanka?
- A Galle
- B Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte Correct
- C Colombo
- D Kandy
Answer: B. Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Why: The parliament moved to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte in 1982, on the edge of Colombo. Colombo remains the commercial capital and the city almost everyone names.
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7What is the capital of Ecuador?
- A Quito Correct
- B Guayaquil
- C Cuenca
- D Manta
Answer: A. Quito
Why: Quito sits high in the Andes at roughly 2,850 metres, while the larger Guayaquil sits on the coast. Quito was among the first cities named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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8What is the capital of Vietnam?
- A Hanoi Correct
- B Ho Chi Minh City
- C Da Nang
- D Hue
Answer: A. Hanoi
Why: Hanoi in the north has been the capital since reunification in 1976. Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is the larger and more commercial of the two.
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9What is the capital of Malta?
- A Sliema
- B Birkirkara
- C Mdina
- D Valletta Correct
Answer: D. Valletta
Why: Valletta is one of the smallest capital cities in the world, with a population of only a few thousand inside its walls. The entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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10What is the capital of Bhutan?
- A Punakha
- B Phuentsholing
- C Thimphu Correct
- D Paro
Answer: C. Thimphu
Why: Thimphu became the permanent capital in 1961, replacing the seasonal arrangement with Punakha. It is often described as the only capital city with no traffic lights.
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