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Famous Cities, Wrong Capitals Trivia Quiz

Cities Commonly Mistaken as National Capitals

Some cities are so famous that people often mistake them for national capitals. They may steal the spotlight, but do they really rule? Match each description to the city everyone thinks is the capital... and the one that actually is! Enjoy!

A matching quiz by Matthew_07. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Matthew_07

Time
4 mins

Type
Match Quiz

Quiz #
422,831

Updated
Jan 24 26

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Very Easy

Avg Score
9 / 10

Plays
75

Last 3 plays: Nicobutch (10/10), Guest 173 (7/10), krajack99 (10/10).

(a) Drag-and-drop from the right to the left, or (b) click on a right side answer box and then on a left side box to move it.

Match each description to the correct cities. In each choice, the first city mentioned is often mistaken for the national capital, while the second city is the country's actual capital.

Questions		Choices
1. Once the seat of vast empires and spanning two continents, this city feels like the natural center of power. Yet the capital was deliberately moved inland to mark a fresh political beginning.		Toronto - Ottawa
2. With global finance, towering skyscrapers, and the headquarters of the United Nations, this city looks like a seat of power. Still, the nation's government was placed in a neutral city to maintain regional balance.		New York City - Washington, D.C.
3. An iconic harbor and a recognizable skyline define this city's global image. However, regional rivalry led to the selection of a carefully planned compromise city as the capital.		Shanghai - Beijing
4. Few cities capture a nation's identity like this one, with its famous beaches and vibrant festivals. Political power, though, was moved inland to ensure balanced development.		Casablanca - Rabat
5. Immortalized by cinema and made famous by a classic movie, this city is also a major commercial hub. Political power, in contrast, was established in a quieter center.		Sydney - Canberra
6. Known for luxurious shopping and iconic skyscrapers along the Persian Gulf, this city seems like the obvious center of power. Nonetheless, the nation's capital was established in a less bustling city.		Dubai - Abu Dhabi
7. Thriving movie production and bustling commerce pulse through this coastal megacity, but the nation's capital resides in a purpose-built city designed specifically for governance.		Mumbai - New Delhi
8. With a name literally means "Upon the Sea", this city is noted for its towering skyscrapers and one of the world's busiest ports. Nevertheless, the political authority remains rooted in a centuries-old capital inland.		Auckland - Wellington
9. Home to a famous communications and observation tower, this metropolis feels like the obvious political choice. Instead, the capital of this North American nation was established in a smaller, quieter city along a scenic river.		Istanbul - Ankara
10. Once the seat of government and still the country's largest urban area, this northern coastal city drives commerce and trade. Even so, the island nation eventually favoured a smaller city on the southern tip of the North Island as the nation's capital.		Rio de Janeiro - Brasilia

Select each answer

1. Once the seat of vast empires and spanning two continents, this city feels like the natural center of power. Yet the capital was deliberately moved inland to mark a fresh political beginning.

2. With global finance, towering skyscrapers, and the headquarters of the United Nations, this city looks like a seat of power. Still, the nation's government was placed in a neutral city to maintain regional balance.

3. An iconic harbor and a recognizable skyline define this city's global image. However, regional rivalry led to the selection of a carefully planned compromise city as the capital.

4. Few cities capture a nation's identity like this one, with its famous beaches and vibrant festivals. Political power, though, was moved inland to ensure balanced development.

5. Immortalized by cinema and made famous by a classic movie, this city is also a major commercial hub. Political power, in contrast, was established in a quieter center.

6. Known for luxurious shopping and iconic skyscrapers along the Persian Gulf, this city seems like the obvious center of power. Nonetheless, the nation's capital was established in a less bustling city.

7. Thriving movie production and bustling commerce pulse through this coastal megacity, but the nation's capital resides in a purpose-built city designed specifically for governance.

8. With a name literally means "Upon the Sea", this city is noted for its towering skyscrapers and one of the world's busiest ports. Nevertheless, the political authority remains rooted in a centuries-old capital inland.

9. Home to a famous communications and observation tower, this metropolis feels like the obvious political choice. Instead, the capital of this North American nation was established in a smaller, quieter city along a scenic river.

10. Once the seat of government and still the country's largest urban area, this northern coastal city drives commerce and trade. Even so, the island nation eventually favoured a smaller city on the southern tip of the North Island as the nation's capital.

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Once the seat of vast empires and spanning two continents, this city feels like the natural center of power. Yet the capital was deliberately moved inland to mark a fresh political beginning.

Answer: Istanbul - Ankara

Once the capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, Istanbul spans Europe and Asia, making it a historic center of culture for centuries. Today, Istanbul remains Turkey's largest city and the vibrant heart of the nation's cultural and economic life.

Despite its prominence, in 1923, Ankara, a modest inland city, was chosen as the new capital of Turkey to unite the country. The move also allowed Turkey to build a modern administrative center based on the vision of Mustafa Kemal Atat�rk (1881-1938), the founder of modern Turkey.

Interestingly, after the Republic of Turkey declared Ankara (formerly known as Angora) as its capital in October 1923, many foreign press continued to assume that Istanbul was still the seat of government. This reflected how deeply ingrained the assumption was internationally.

Answer: New York City - Washington, D.C.

New York City is associated with its financial power and global influence. Wall Street represents its role as the world's financial capital, while the presence of the United Nations (UN) headquarters highlights the city's prominence in international diplomacy.

Despite all this, the United States government is located in Washington, D.C., which serves as the official seat of national political power. Washington, D.C. was chosen as the capital because it provided a neutral, centrally located site between the northern and southern states. The city is home to famous government buildings such as the White House, Capitol Hill, and the Pentagon.

The confusion over New York City being the United States' capital stems from the fact that it once held that role. It was designated the nation's capital in 1789, before the government moved to Philadelphia in 1790 and ultimately settled in Washington, D.C., in 1800.

3. An iconic harbor and a recognizable skyline define this city's global image. However, regional rivalry led to the selection of a carefully planned compromise city as the capital.

Answer: Sydney - Canberra

Tourism brochures and popular media often feature Sydney's iconic landmarks, such as the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This led to the misconception that Sydney is the capital of Australia. The city's vibrant skyline and bustling harbor overshadow Canberra, a quieter city that actually serves as Australia's capital.

The choice of a capital was influenced by rivalry after Australia's federation in 1901, when debates raged over whether Sydney or Melbourne should be selected as the nation's capital. To resolve this, Canberra, a carefully planned compromise city situated between Sydney and Melbourne, was selected.

In a 2019 survey conducted in the United Kingdom by the boat rental and yacht charter company SamBoat.com, which involved 2,300 respondents, an alarming 49% incorrectly thought that Sydney is the capital of Australia.

4. Few cities capture a nation's identity like this one, with its famous beaches and vibrant festivals. Political power, though, was moved inland to ensure balanced development.

Answer: Rio de Janeiro - Brasilia

While Rio de Janeiro is famous for its iconic beaches, Carnival, and the towering Christ the Redeemer statue, it is no longer Brazil's capital. Today, Rio remains the country's cultural and tourist heart.

In 1960, the Brazilian government deliberately moved the capital to Brasilia, a purpose-built city designed to promote national integration and economic development in the interior region of the country.

5. Immortalized by cinema and made famous by a classic movie, this city is also a major commercial hub. Political power, in contrast, was established in a quieter center.

Answer: Casablanca - Rabat

Interestingly, despite its title, the movie "Casablanca" (1942), starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, was mostly filmed in Hollywood, not on location in Morocco.

In 1912, Rabat was chosen as Morocco's capital during the French protectorate for its ideal location and historical significance. After Morocco gained independence in 1956, King Mohammed V (1909 - 1961) decided to keep Rabat as the nation's capital.

Answer: Dubai - Abu Dhabi

Dubai is the United Arab Emirates' most famous metropolis, known for its luxurious shopping, iconic skyscrapers like the Burj Khalifa, and as a major international aviation hub where most international flights transit.

Despite its prominence, the capital of the UAE is based in a quieter city, Abu Dhabi. In 1996, during the UAE's 25th anniversary of independence, Abu Dhabi was officially designated the nation's capital. Etymologically speaking, Abu Dhabi means "Father of Gazelle" in the Arabic language.

7. Thriving movie production and bustling commerce pulse through this coastal megacity, but the nation's capital resides in a purpose-built city designed specifically for governance.

Answer: Mumbai - New Delhi

Famously known as Bollywood, Mumbai is the heart of India's film industry. It produces a huge number of movies each year. The city's movie production thrives with colorful cinema and beautifully choreographed dance sequences featured in films.

New Delhi was deliberately planned and built to serve as the capital of India during British colonial rule, replacing Calcutta (Kolkata) in 1911. It was chosen for its more central location within the country, making it easier to govern and access from all regions.

Answer: Shanghai - Beijing

In the 19th century, Shanghai became China's commercial powerhouse as foreign trade expanded along the Yangtze River Delta. Its iconic skyline is dotted with futuristic skyscrapers, which include Shanghai Tower and the Oriental Pearl Tower.

Despite this, the central government remained in Beijing, a city with centuries of imperial history. Some notable landmarks in Beijing include the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.

Answer: Toronto - Ottawa

The famous communications and observation tower described refers to the CN (Canadian National) Tower, located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Though Toronto is not the national capital of Canada, it serves as the capital city of Ontario province.

Although Toronto is Canada's largest city and economic powerhouse, the government chose Ottawa as the capital in 1857 because of its more central location. Ottawa is located at the confluence of the Ottawa and Rideau Rivers.

Answer: Auckland - Wellington

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Auckland, located in the northern region of the North Island, became New Zealand's economic and cultural hub and initially served as the country's capital.

In 1865, the seat of government was relocated to Wellington due to its more central location and better accessibility to both the North and South Islands.

Source: Author Matthew_07

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