Capital Conundrums Trivia Quiz

Answer: Ottawa (Canada)

Formerly called Bytown, Ottawa became capital of the Province of Canada in 1857, and of the Dominion of Canada ten years later.

The Peace Tower rises above the centre block of the parliament buildings on Parliament Hill, and was opened in 1927. The skating Senators are Ottawa's National Hockey League team, while the debating ones sit in the upper chamber of Canada's parliament.

Ottawa is situated on the Ottawa River, in the province of Ontario, with Hull, Quebec just across the river.

Answer: London (UK)

Although the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament comes to mind when Big Ben is mentioned, that name officially belongs only to the bell that chimes the hours. Once called St Stephen's Tower, the clock tower was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.

The tower that holds no prisoners is the Tower of London, whose last prisoners were the notorious Kray twins (for refusing to report for National Service) in 1952.

Both landmarks are on the Thames, which winds its way through the capital city, and provides a wonderful way for a tourist to view these sites and many more.

Answer: Brasilia (Brazil)

Of the choices, only Brasilia fits the description of purpose-built and having a tropical savanna climate.

Located in the Brazilian Highlands, the city was planned to replace Rio de Janeiro and to provide a more centrally located capital city. It took on its role in 1960, and in 1987 was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site (cultural). Nearby is Paranoa Lake, constructed to provide more water for the new city, which also provides a venue for a number of water sports.

Answer: Pretoria (South Africa)

Although a number of countries have two capitals, South Africa is unique in having three. Pretoria, in Gauteng province in the north of the country, is the administrative and executive capital. Cape Town in the Western Cape is the legislative capital and Bloemfontein in the Free State is the judicial capital.

Pretoria was founded in 1855 on the banks of the Apies River, and named for Andries Pretorius, father of its founder Marthinus Pretorius, and Voortrekker hero. It was the site of the signing of peace treaties ending the First Boer War in 1881 and the Second Boer War in 1902.

Answer: Valletta (Malta)

During World War II, the country of Malta (made up of two main islands) valiantly held out against persistent bombing by the Luftwaffe, and hardships caused by near-blockade conditions. In April 1942 the courage of the citizens was rewarded by King George VI, who approved the award of the George Cross (highest possible civilian award) to the "Island Fortress of Malta". The GC was later incorporated into the flag of Malta.

Valletta, the capital, was among the hardest hit areas during the war, with the natural Grand Harbour an obvious target. In more recent times the Grand Harbour has provided anchorage for cruise ships. Valletta was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.

Answer: Canberra (Australia)

Construction of the planned city, to a design by Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, began in 1913, in the Australian Capital Territory. It is inland, so presumably safe from attacks from the sea, and incorporates large areas of vegetation within its boundaries. The name is said to mean "meeting place" in one of the aboriginal languages of the area, but other meanings are sometimes suggested, having to do with the resemblance of two nearby mountains to a certain part of a woman's anatomy.

Copenhagen means "merchant's harbour". Quito is "the centre of the world". Rabat means "fortified place".

Answer: Tokyo (Japan)

"Eastern capital" is the meaning of Tokyo, in Japanese and was given to Edo to differentiate from Kyoto ("capital city") when the Emperor Meiji moved there in 1869. Located on the island of Honshu, Tokyo is officially a metropolitan prefecture rather than a city. Sumo is a major sport in Japan, with three major tournaments being held in Tokyo each year. Tokyo is home to two pro baseball teams, the Yomiuri Giants and the Yakult Swallows.

While the three incorrect choices could be considered Eastern European, none of them are hotbeds of either sumo or baseball.

Answer: Belmopan (Belize)

The name Belmopan is a telescoping of the names of the Belize River, upon which the city sits, and the Mopan River, which rises in Guatemala and eventually joins with others to form the Belize River.

The inland city was founded in 1970, planned to replace the port Belize City as capital, after the latter had been devastated by Hurricane Hattie in 1961. The climate is tropical monsoon, with a wet season that stretches from May to February.

Answer: Monrovia (Liberia)

Monrovia was established as a settlement in 1822, and renamed two years later after US president James Monroe, who had supported the efforts of the American Colonization Society to relocate former slaves from the Caribbean and US to the West African nation of Liberia.

The city is located on the Atlantic coast, on the Cape Mesurado peninsula, and has a large natural harbour. The climate is tropical monsoon.

Answer: Paris (France)

The left and right banks of the river Seine mean more than the simple geographic description. The Left Bank, or Rive Gauche, in particular has long been associated with the bohemian lifestyle of the artists, authors and poets who once lived their lives there.

Made famous by more than one movie, the Moulin Rouge (Red Mill) in Montmartre introduced can-can dancers to the French and inspired the paintings of Toulouse-Lautrec. The tower alluded to is, of course, that symbol of Paris, the Eiffel Tower.