VWL-LS RPN CPTLS (Vowel-Less European Capitals) Quiz

Answer: Germany

Berlin is the capital (and one of 16 states) of Germany, the most populous European country (83 million - 2012 figures).
Berlin had a population in 3.4 million in 2012 which made it the largest city in Germany at the time. It is situated in north east Germany on the Spree River. The origin of the name is uncertain but may mean swamp. Folk etymology links the name of the city to "Bear", and, in turn a black bear features on the city flag and coat of arms.

Answer: Latvia

Riga is the capital of the "middle" of the three Baltic States, Latvia. Riga was founded in 1201 at the mouth of the Daugava River on the Gulf of Riga. With 700 000 people (2014), it is the largest city in the Baltic States and has over one third of all Latvians within its boundaries.

Answer: Norway

Oslo is the capital and largest city in Norway with 650 000 inhabitants (2014) and is one of the fastest growing cities in Europe. First established as a trading post approximately 1000 AD, it continued to grow steadily. It has been razed by fire and re-sited once. Known as Christiania/Kristiania for some time, it reverted to its original name in 1925.

Answer: Czech Republic

Prague has 1.3 million inhabitants within the city and over two million in its metropolitan area (2014 figures). An important cultural centre, it has been a two-time seat of the Holy Roman Empire and has been inhabited since the tenth century. The city has had its share of misfortune, being once part of the powerful Austro-Hungarian Empire which succumbed after the first world war. Prague then found itself situated between two much larger powers to the east and west of the country.

The Nazis invaded in 1938 and the Soviets in 1968. Since the iron curtain disappeared soon after the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, Prague has become a favourite city for tourism and has many cultural and historical reasons to visit.

Answer: Bulgaria

Bulgaria is one of the world's oldest countries, formed in 681AD. However Sofia, its capital and largest city, is over 2400 years old. Sofia occupies a key site at the centre of the Balkans. The city is located in a valley with mountains on all sides.

The three roads that lead through the mountains into Sofia have been used for hundreds of years. The Iskar River runs through Sofia, but unlike most other European capitals of long standing, the river runs around the outskirts of the city rather than through it.

Answer: Austria

Vienna is a cultural capital of Europe and is the capital and largest city in Austria. In its larger metropolitan area, which includes Bratislava in neighbouring Slovakia, there are nearly three million people (2014 figures) altogether. At one time, as centre of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Vienna was the largest German speaking city in the world.

However the dismantling of the empire and the ravages of two world wars has diminished its size somewhat, and consequently, Vienna has lost some importance as a world city. Vienna is known as the City of Music and also as the City of Dreams.

Answer: Ukraine

Kiev is the largest city and capital of Ukraine. With 2.8 million people (2013), Kiev is one of the top ten most populous cities in Europe. It is located on the Dneiper River in North Central Ukraine. The city has been under the control of foreign powers in the past.

However Ukraine became independent again after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Since then, Kiev has become a wealthy industrial, educational, and cultural centre. It is known for its very efficient public transport system, scientific centres of excellence and a fast rising population due to intra-national migration.

Answer: Armenia

Yerevan is one of the oldest continually occupied settlements in the world, dating back to the eighth century BC. It is the capital and largest city in Armenia with approximately 1.1 million inhabitants. The city has been ruled, at times, by Arab, Persian and Ottoman Empires before Armenia becoming part of the Russian Empire in 1826.

There was a brief independence in 1919-20 before being overthrown by the Russians again. On the collapse of the USSR, Armenia and hence Yerevan became independent in 1991. Yerevan is not a coastal city situated almost 1000m above sea level on the Hrazdan River.

Answer: Cyprus

Nicosia is the capital and largest city on the island nation of Cyprus. It is situated in the centre of the island on the Pedieos River and on the Mesaoria Plain. Nicosia is walled city. The island of Cyprus and indeed Nicosia are divided into Greek and Turkish sectors though no other country recognises Northern Cyprus sovereignty except Turkey.

Answer: Albania

Tirana has been settled for over 1000 years. It is sited 30km inland from the Mediterranean Sea, contains around 320 000 inhabitants and is the capital and largest city in Albania. Albania was once part of the Ottoman Empire, Tirana become the capital when Albania became independent in 1920.