Learning Capital Cities: Is it Worth it?

Oct 30, 2023 . 3 min read
Tokyo, Japan


Whenever people look to expand their general knowledge one of the first things they think of learning are capital cities. Contrary to popular belief, capital cities do not generally turn up as direct questions in quizzes, mainly because asking "What is the capital of X?" is not the most interesting or creative of questions. So why do we still see this as the starting point of geography knowledge?

Capital cities are what I would consider foundational knowledge, while you might not be asked "what is the capital of X?" you may be asked "The river X flows through which European capital city?". Even if you're not sure about the river, you'll at least have a good chance of making an educated guess.

While building trivia knowledge might not be a motivation for everyone, gaining an insight into the world we inhabit remains valuable. Familiarity with capital cities provides context to global events. Recognising where events transpire enriches our understanding of diverse peoples and cultures. It sparks curiosity about previously unknown places and deepens our appreciation of the world that surrounds us.

Learning State Capitals

In federal republics like the US, learning state capitals holds significant importance, especially for its citizens. State capitals, and indeed capitals worldwide, are often the hubs of political decision-making. Consequently, these are the locations where citizens typically address their concerns to elected officials. Interestingly, the most recognisable city in a state isn’t always its capital. Anyone would be forgiven for thinking New York City is the capital of New York State, or Las Vegas is the capital of Nevada. While it's easy to look up, understanding the relevance of a city like Lansing can offer deeper insights into the significance of events happening there.

Learning to Learn

One final point I'd like to leave you with is that learning can be its own reward. Mastering the capitals is a good way to build confidence in your ability to learn and expand your knowledge. The sense of accomplishment you'll feel from confidently recalling each capital city might just be the thing you need to delve deeper, learn more, and further enhance your personal growth.

If you're interested in learning capital cities, why not check out our free capital city flashcards and quizzes.