This world capitals quiz loves a trick question, because a country's capital is often not its biggest or best-known city. You'll hop from our neighbor to the north to South America, Africa, Europe, Asia and the South Pacific. Each answer comes with a short fact, so even the ones you miss will stick for next time.
A capital is simply where a country's government sits, but the reasons a city earns that role are wonderfully varied. Some capitals grew up around an old royal court. Others were chosen as compromises between rival regions, picked for defense, or moved after independence. A few countries split the job entirely. South Africa has three capitals, with the executive branch in Pretoria, Parliament in Cape Town and a top appeals court in Bloemfontein. Bolivia names Sucre as its constitutional capital, while the government works from La Paz, sitting nearly 12,000 feet (about 3,650 m) above sea level.
Capitals also hold some fun records. Reykjavík, Iceland, is the northernmost capital of any independent country. It's a handy reminder that a capital's location can say a lot about a nation's history and landscape.
To lock capitals into memory, link each one to a vivid picture or a sound-alike word, then quiz yourself in short bursts rather than long sessions. Grouping countries by region helps, too, since neighbors often share history that explains their choices. Also watch the spelling: a capital is a city, while a capitol is a building where lawmakers meet.