Can You Identify the World Capital When Only Shown One Photo of It? Most Fail!

By: SW
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Identify the World Capital When Only Shown One Photo of It? Most Fail!
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About This Quiz

1Do you have a passion for geography? Or maybe you love visiting the most decorated capitals in the world? Either way, this quiz is perfectly suited to your tastes. Best of all, once finished with the quiz, you'll add to your capital knowledge with some interesting historical and cultural facts. You might even want to pack your bags and head off to visit some of these places! Prepare to get more worldly than ever. Start now with the first question on the quiz!

Whether it's the City of Lights or the world capital where you'll find the Taj Mahal, be sure to look at each image closely. Can you picture yourself there? Strolling through the historic streets and sampling the local cuisine? Check out the landmarks, clothes, or even how crowded the streets are, to provide a clue as to the name of the famous capital.

Which cities immediately come to mind when you think about world capitals? Rome? Paris? Dubai? No need to take out those geography books, or Google the answer; just score higher than 92% of the general public with your own knowledge, and you can crown yourself King of the Capitals. Take the quiz right now... the world is waiting for you.



Athens
Shutterstock / anyaivanova
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Athens, Greece
Rome, Italy
Santiago, Chile
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There may be no more historic city in the story of modern man than Athens. Wars have been fought, discoveries made, philosophies founded, foods invented and books written by the thousands there, over the centuries.

Rome
Shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Madrid, Spain
Rome, Italy
Athens, Greece
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You pretty much can't walk 100 feet without running into a historic site in Rome. History buffs often make dozens of trips to the city to see and revisit spots like the Circus Maximus and the Colosseum.

Paris
Shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Stockholm, Sweden
Madrid, Spain
Paris, France
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Paris is known as the City of Lights, and for good reason. At night, the Eiffel Tower glows over a landscape of cafes, museums and shops lit with artistic flair.

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Amsterdam
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Accra, Ghana
Ottawa, Canada
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For American tourists, Amsterdam is famous for certain activities that are largely frowned upon stateside. However, the canals, castles, museums and arts centers have made it one of the hottest tourist stops for people from all over the world.

Baghdad
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Baghdad, Iraq
Paris, France
Rome, Italy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

One of the most historic cities on the planet, Baghdad has through the centuries proved to be the unkillable city. Despite the military conflict and strife that have raged across the region for centuries, Baghdad remains a center of commerce and street culture.

Jerusalem
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Tallinn, Estonia
Helsinki, Finland
Jerusalem, Israel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Considered a holy city by a majority of the world's religious people, Jerusalem has been a site of conflict for centuries. The U.N. doesn't recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, and many countries have located their embassies and missions in other cities, such as Tel Aviv.

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Helsinki
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Paris, France
Helsinki, Finland
Tokyo, Japan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Unlike many capital cities, Helsinki is also the largest city in its country. It was chosen as a World Design City in 2012 because of its incredible architecture.

New Delhi
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Doha, Qatar
New Delhi, India
Bucharest, Romania
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The crush and rush of New Delhi can be overwhelming to the first-time visitor. Your best bet is to go with the flow, and keep your nose and eyes peeled for the amazing variety of street food vendors!

Stockholm
Shutterstock / Scanrail1
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Washington, D.C., United States
Stockholm, Sweden
Kampala, Uganda
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Humans have lived in what is now Stockholm since the Stone Age, but our Neanderthal brethren wouldn't recognize the place now. With a number of Michelin star restaurants, tons of festivals, sports teams and world-famous museums and performance halls, Stockholm is one of the epicenters of European culture.

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Washington D.C.
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Paris, France
Berlin, Germany
Washington, D.C., United States
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

One of the greatest features of the tourist landscape in D.C. is the Smithsonian Museum system, with something for just about everyone. You could spend days covering all of the exhibits.

Monaco
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Montevideo, Uruguay
Monaco, Monaco
Dodoma, Tanzania
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Long a hangout of the rich and famous and European elite, Monaco has a reputation as a city of pampered excess. It's the home of the original Monte Carlo casino, long held as the world's top spot for high rollers to see and be seen.

Berlin
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Berlin, Germany
Belmopan, Belize
Rome, Italy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Berlin has recovered well from the days of partition, when the Berlin Wall split the city between two countries. While there is still some economic and infrastructure inequality between East and West Berlin, the government has worked diligently to resolve the problems.

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Brussels
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Brussels, Belgium
Abuja, Nigeria
Beijing, China
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

People always think of Germany for beer, but Belgium is actually one of the world's beer capitals. Freed from the German beer purity laws, brewers in Brussels experiment with all manner of additions and brewing styles to make a huge menu of tastes and types.

Moscow
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Moscow, Russia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Moscow's Red Square is one of the most easily identifiable locations in the world. It's been the backdrop for countless movies, and it is the place to go for field reporters looking for a dramatic background shot for their pieces.

Kabul
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Kabul, Afghanistan
Oslo, Norway
Singapore, Singapore
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Kabul has endured fighting and terrorist activity for the last two decades. Before that, battles between the Russians and the U.S.-backed Mujahideen rebels reduced buildings to rubble.

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Budapest
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Dublin, Ireland
Budapest, Hungary
Seoul, South Korea
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Budapest, on the Danube, is known for its thermal baths. Its museums hold a huge collection of European art and collectibles, making it a must-see for art fans.

Buenos Aires
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Riga, Latvia
Mogadishu, Somalia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you're a steak lover, Buenos Aires is the place to be. Argentinean beef is world-famous, and Buenos Aires has steakhouses that draw gourmands from all over the world. Pack some extra Lipitor!

Vienna
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Baghdad, Iraq
Victoria, Seychelles
Vienna, Austria
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Fun fact: Vienna is the home of neither the sausages nor the finger cookies that bear its name. It is, however, one of the most beautiful capital cities on the planet, with cathedrals that are the model for churches worldwide, and performance halls coveted by musicians and singers everywhere.

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Jakarta
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Jakarta, Indonesia
Paramaribo, Suriname
Juba, South Sudan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jakarta sits on the world's most populous island, Java, and the city has more than 10 million people. The food is an interesting cross of Chinese and Western influences, with local ingredients incorporated.

Dublin
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Asmara, Eritrea
Dublin, Ireland
Suva, Fiji
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's hard to say what's more worth visiting in Dublin, the churches or the pubs. Why not do both? If you handle your pub visits right, you'll have plenty to need forgiveness for.

Algiers
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Minsk, Belarus
Algiers, Algeria
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Algiers is also known as "Algiers the White," because of the shining exteriors of its buildings. It's a great mix of old and new, with a modern city on the Mediterranean coast and the ancient city above it in the hills.

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Tehran
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Tehran, Iran
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Oslo, Norway
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For most Americans, our first awareness of Tehran was during the 1979-80 hostage crisis, when the U.S. embassy staff was held by anti-shah protesters. It has modernized slowly under a repressive government, but is one of the largest cities in the region.

Dhaka
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Panama City, Panama
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Ngerulmud, Palau
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Seventeen million people live in the area of Dhaka, making it one of the world's most populous cities. There's a tremendous mix of cultures, religions and political systems across the city, and many multinational corporations have bases there.

Reykjavik
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Dakar, Senegal
Zagreb, Croatia
Reykjavik, Iceland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Reyjkavik commonly makes lists of the cleanest, safest and greenest cities in the world. The country has become a wildly popular tourist destination for Europeans looking to get in touch with their inner Viking.

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Canberra
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Moscow, Russia
Canberra, Australia
Mexico City, Mexico
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Just about every American wants to visit Australia at some point, despite the fact that large portions of the wildlife population seem bent on killing humans. Similar to Washington, D.C., Canberra is not part of any state, existing in its own municipal district.

Tokyo
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis
Tokyo, Japan
Islamabad, Pakistan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Fans of Godzilla movies may be surprised to learn that Tokyo is still alive and well and un-monster-trampled. At night, the moving neon signs along every street call to mind the streetscape in Blade Runner, but with better food.

Nassau
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Libreville, Gabon
Nassau, Bahamas
Budapest, Hungary
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Two centuries ago, the Bahamas were a stronghold for pirates and other ne'er-do-wells, but that's changed a little bit. These days, the only bandits looking to take your booty are souvenir vendors selling "authentic" island artifacts.

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Beirut
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Damascus, Syria
Beirut, Lebanon
Dublin, Ireland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Beirut has been the scene of a lot of turmoil, but the city refuses to buckle. Two of the greatest chronicles of life under fire in Beirut are P.J. O'Rourke's travel columns from the '80s and Tony Bourdain's episode of "No Reservations," filmed in the city just at the time Israeli rocket attacks began.

Brasilia
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Brasilia, Brazil
Mexico City, Mexico
Taipei, Taiwan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After the recent Olympics, you could be forgiven for thinking that Rio de Janeiro is Brazil's capital. It's actually this city, located far from the coast in the central mountain highlands.

Mexico City.
Shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Mexico City, Mexico
Bangkok, Thailand
Tunis, Tunisia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The population density and pollution in Mexico City are constant issues. Since the city sits in something of a bowl, pollution from vehicles and industry tends to collect and remain, leading many residents to make breathing masks part of their daily wardrobe.

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La-Paz
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Stanley, Falkland Islands
Havana, Cuba
La Paz, Bolivia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

La Paz is one of the most naturally beautiful of the world's capitals. It sits at a higher elevation than any other, and it's surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

Oslo
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
N'Djamena, Chad
Oslo, Norway
Muscat, Oman
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you like cities with a history, Oslo was founded around the year 1040! In 2012, it was ranked as the city with the best quality of life in Europe, so maybe practice does make perfect.

Ottawa
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Washington, D.C., United States
Ottawa, Canada
London, England
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Fun fact: The Rideau Canal in Ottawa is the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America. Oh, there's also poutine there. Don't know what poutine is? Look it up, then book your ticket north.

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Lima
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Canberra, Australia
Maputo, Mozambique
Lima, Peru
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lima is referred to in foodie circles as the gastronomic capital of the Americas. Waves of conquerors and settlers have brought their own world cuisines to mix with the native offerings to create a food scene second to none.

Lisbon
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Lisbon, Portugal
Port Louis, Mauritius
Athens, Greece
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world, with continuous settlement for more than two millennia. Today, it's a massive port city, one of the biggest container shipping ports in Europe, as well as a center for finance and industry.

Santiago
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Amsterdam, Neterlands
Santiago, Chile
Beijing, China
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Because of its location right on the Ring of Fire, Santiago has some of the toughest earthquake-proofing building codes in the world. This paid off in 2010, when an unimaginable 8.8-magnitude earthquake did relatively minimal damage to the city.

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Manila
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Manila, Philippines
Asuncion, Paraguay
Kathmandu, Nepal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

During the reign of Ferdinand Marcos, Manila was the center of resistance to his rule. Travel writer P.J. O'Rourke, shortly before Marcos' overthrow, referred to a cigarette seller in a bar using a picture of Marcos to strike matches on to light her customers' cigarettes.

Cairo
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Dublin, Ireland
Seoul, South Korea
Cairo, Egypt
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Strategically situated on the Nile River delta and not far from the Giza pyramids and the ancient city of Memphis, Cairo is the natural starting point for any tourist looking to explore ancient history. But the city itself has plenty to offer, from a street food scene that hops all day and night to many museums and other cultural offerings.

Riyadh
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Hanoi, Vietnam
London, England
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As you might expect for a country with massive oil wealth, Riyadh is a gleaming city of modern architecture. The past is everywhere, though, with mosques and street markets that date back centuries.

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Bucharest
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Paris, France
Bucharest, Romania
Lusaka, Zambia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Romania is an old country, but its age is beginning to show. Bucharest is on numerous international watch lists for the decaying condition of both its infrastructure and historic buildings.

Beijing
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Bishek, Kyrgyzstan
Pyongyang, North Korea
Beijing, China
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The explosion of the Chinese economy in the last three decades can be seen written across the face of Beijing. Where there was once a sprawling city of hundreds of thousands, now there rises a high-rise-dense, ultra-modern urban area with millions of inhabitants.

Copenhagen
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Copenhagen, Denmark
Montevideo, Uruguay
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you want to visit Copenhagen, don't miss the Little Mermaid statue. 75 percent of all Copenhagen tourists visit this statue, after all. After that, feel free to explore cozy out-of-the-way spots frequented by the locals.

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Bogota
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Bogota, Colombia
Pristina, Kosovo
New Delhi, India
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Like other South American countries, the cuisine in Colombia is a mix of native and international flavors. One of the most popular native creations is tamal, somewhat similar to its Mexican cousin but cooked in plantain leaves.

Warsaw
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Dublin, Ireland
Nairobi, Kenya
Warsaw, Poland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After the Nazi occupation, followed by decades of Soviet control, Warsaw has now recovered to become a center of commerce and tourism for Central Europe. The heavy industry placed there under the Soviets has largely gone bankrupt, replaced by high-tech businesses and finance.

Bern
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Bern, Switzerland
San Salvador, El Salvador
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

One of Bern's most famous residents is Albert Einstein, who worked out his Theory of Relativity while working at the patent office there. Less universally praised is Vladimir Lenin, who lived there from 1914 to 1917.

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Havana
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Havana, Cuba
Madrid, Spain
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The recent easing of U.S. travel restrictions to Cuba is allowing more Americans to see a place that their parents and grandparents knew as a tropical vacation spot. While the Castro government still holds sway, the economy is recovering as new money flows in from tourists' pockets.

Caracas, Venezuela
Shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Stockholm, Sweden
Caracas, Venezuela
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Despite its oil wealth, the Venezuelan economy has been in the dumps for several years. Socialist government policies and rampant corruption bankrupted the treasury, and Caracas' infrastructure has suffered directly as a result.

Abu Dhabi
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Zagreb, Croatia
Helsinki, Finland
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirites
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Abu Dhabi is somewhat overshadowed by the opulence of the country's largest city, Dubai, where things like building islands and starting indoor ski slopes are fairly common. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, in Abu Dhabi, is an awe-inspiring building that should be on any tourist's must list.

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Prague
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Prague, Czech Republic
Tehran, Iran
Berlin, Germany
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After the Velvet Revolution of 1989 and the split of Czechoslovakia, Prague began to rebuild from decades of decline. It's now dotted with high-rise buildings in among the historic churches. The music halls are world-famous for everything from opera to symphony to jazz.

Kyiv
shutterstock
Which world capital is represented in this image?
Honiara, Solomon Islands
Kyiv, Ukraine
Hanoi, Vietnam
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ukraine was one of the first former Soviet satellite states to really succeed after the collapse of the USSR. Kyiv allows visa-free travel from European Union countries, which has boosted its tourist income dramatically.

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