Capital Quest: City Sleuths

Test your knowledge of world capitals with fun, bite-sized questions — perfect for curious kids 12+. Ready to explore cities across the globe?

  1. Which capital city sits on two continents?
    1. Istanbul
    2. Ankara
    3. Athens
    4. Cairo
  2. Which capital city is located at the highest elevation above sea level?
    1. Quito
    2. La Paz
    3. Bogotá
    4. Thimphu
  3. Which capital city is on an island nation and also the country’s largest city known for a famous harbour?
    1. Helsinki
    2. Oslo
    3. Copenhagen
    4. Reykjavík
  4. Which capital was moved inland for strategic reasons in the 20th century and designed as a planned city?
    1. Brasília
    2. Buenos Aires
    3. Montevideo
    4. São Paulo
  5. Which capital city hosts the headquarters of a major international organization known for peacekeeping in Europe?
    1. Vienna
    2. Geneva
    3. Brussels
    4. Strasbourg
  6. Which capital’s name means 'new city' in its native language?
    1. Neapolis
    2. New Delhi
    3. Novosibirsk
    4. Nueva Cádiz
  7. Which capital city lies at the mouth of the Nile River and is a historic Mediterranean port?
    1. Cairo
    2. Alexandria
    3. Port Said
    4. Damietta

Answers and explanations

  1. Question: Which capital city sits on two continents?
    Answer: Istanbul
    Explanation: Istanbul spans Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus; it was once the Ottoman capital, though Ankara is Turkey's present capital—so don't confuse historic and current capitals.
  2. Question: Which capital city is located at the highest elevation above sea level?
    Answer: La Paz
    Explanation: La Paz in Bolivia sits high in the Andes at around 3,650 m; Sucre is Bolivia's constitutional capital, which trips people up.
  3. Question: Which capital city is on an island nation and also the country’s largest city known for a famous harbour?
    Answer: Reykjavík
    Explanation: Reykjavík is Iceland's capital and largest city with a notable harbour; some might guess Oslo or Copenhagen, but those are on larger landmasses.
  4. Question: Which capital was moved inland for strategic reasons in the 20th century and designed as a planned city?
    Answer: Brasília
    Explanation: Brazil moved its capital from coastal Rio to centrally located Brasília in 1960 to promote interior development; Rio is still famous, which causes confusion.
  5. Question: Which capital city hosts the headquarters of a major international organization known for peacekeeping in Europe?
    Answer: Brussels
    Explanation: Brussels is home to NATO and many EU institutions, making it a diplomatic hub; some mix it up with Geneva, which hosts UN agencies instead.
  6. Question: Which capital’s name means 'new city' in its native language?
    Answer: Novosibirsk
    Explanation: Novosibirsk literally means 'new Siberian city'; people often think 'New Delhi' fits, but that's English-derived and not the native-language literal equivalent.
  7. Question: Which capital city lies at the mouth of the Nile River and is a historic Mediterranean port?
    Answer: Alexandria
    Explanation: Alexandria, founded by Alexander the Great, is Egypt's famous Mediterranean port at the Nile's delta; Cairo is inland on the Nile, so it's often mistaken.