Where on Earth am I? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Mumbai

Mumbai is the fourth biggest city in the world. In 2011, almost twelve and a half million people lived there. That's a lot of Indian food being eaten. Its name used to be Bombay.

Answer: Sydney

Many people who live overseas today think that Sydney is the capital of Australia, but it isn't. The capital city of Australia is Canberra. Sydney was the first place of European settlement in Australia. It is in the state of New South Wales. For many years, the very beginnings of the country were run from there.

Then, for a while, the country was run from Melbourne, which is the capital city of the state of Victoria. Melbourne was also a very early settlement city. Eventually all the states of Australia joined up and became one big nation in 1901.

It was then decided to build a special city, from the very beginning, that would be the capital city for ALL of Australia. That city was Canberra.

Answer: Tokyo

Tokyo is located on Japan's island of Honshu. It is a very important city economically in the world, but it is very expensive to live there. The government of Japan is run from Tokyo. It is also the home of the Japanese emperor. It's a very busy but very beautiful city.

In 2011, Japan had a dreadful earthquake and tsunami. The earthquake was the most powerful one the country had ever experienced. It was also the fifth most powerful the entire earth has ever experienced. That's a little bit scary, isn't it?

Answer: Washington D.C.

In 1790, the government of America decided to build a new city that would be the capital city of the whole country, just like Australia did much later. They built this city in the District of Columbia. That is what the D.C. stands for in the name of the city. Washington is named after the first President of the United States of America.

It is a very beautiful city and the President of the country lives there in the White House.

Answer: Ankara

Turkey is a strange name for a country isn't it? Its official name is the Republic of Turkey, but that's just what we know it as in English speaking countries. In Turkey itself, it's called Turkiye Cumhuriyeti. Ankara is now Turkey's capital city. The capital used to be Istanbul, and that was once known as Constantinople. Now, however, the capital is the lovely city of Ankara.

It is an important city for government, trade and commerce. All the embassies for diplomats who visit Turkey from all over the world are built there as well.

The surrounding land around the city of Ankara is famous for Angora goats, white rabbits, and Angora cats. Mohair is obtained from the goats, Angora wool is obtained from the rabbits, and a big miaow is obtained from the cats.

Answer: Montreal

This city is built on an island and it was known as Ville-Marie. That means, in English, the "City of Mary". Today's name of Montreal means "Mount Royal". That is the name of a small hill around which the city developed and from it, you can see views all over the city. Today, Montreal is the second biggest city in Canada. French is the official language of this city because it was originally settled by French people. Today, Montreal is the second largest French speaking city in the world.

The first one of course is Paris, the capital of France. English is also spoken in Montreal as well, thankfully, or I'd get lost.

Answer: Amsterdam

Amsterdam is home to the largest collection of the world's paintings by the famous painter, Vincent Van Gogh. He's the man who cut off a piece of his ear in a fit of temper - but don't you go trying it. It's painful. Amsterdam has many waterways and canals, museums and beautiful old homes and buildings.

It began its existence as a tiny fishing village way back in the 12th century, and grew steadily from that time until it became a very important port. In 2010, because of its long history and exquisite design, it was placed on the World Heritage list of important cities for humanity. I'd love to go there one day if I could find my way out of Montreal.

Answer: Berlin

Berlin was divided between Russia and the West after this terrible war which went from 1939 to 1945. The Russians, who were the first soldiers there to take the city at the close of the war, soon fell out with their war allies. They built a big wall to shut off the people on their side from escaping to the other side.

This was called the Berlin Wall. Fortunately, the Berlin Wall has now come down, and the people of Berlin are united once more. Berlin has had a long and fascinating history which you should learn about as you grow older. Today, however, it's a very important and beautiful city, not only for Germany, but also for the rest of the world.

It houses universities, many important scientific and economic buildings, cultural centres, media corporations, important venues for world wide conventions, art centres and huge transport centres. Just about everything in fact - but perhaps not Angora goats, rabbits and cats.

Answer: Moscow

By 2011, this capital city of the huge country of Russia, had a population of just over ten million people all squashed into the one city. At least it would create a bit of warmth, don't you think? Moscow is in a very cold area. The building from where the government of this country is run is known as the Kremlin.

The site of that dates way back to the 2nd century BC. Isn't that amazing really, when you think that the capital city of Australia, for example, doesn't even date back 100 years? This beautiful old city is filled with many fascinating cultural and historical sites. Yet it is also home to four international airports.

It looks back to its past and its heritage, yet it also faces forward to the world of tomorrow.

Answer: Oslo

Oslo was founded in 1048 when it was set up by the then king of Norway, Harald III. Most of it was burned to the ground in 1624. Consequently, it was then moved somewhat closer to Akershus Castle. This was a large structure built to protect the city from invaders. On this move, it also changed its name from Oslo to Christiania to honour the then king, Christian IV.

In 1925, however, the old name was re-established for the city. Oslo is an important maritime city today, and is home to many of the largest shipping companies in the world.

The name Oslo is thought to have come from a large farm which originally existed in the area on which this capital city grew and developed.