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State Capitals Quiz: 20 U.S. Capitals People Get Wrong
In many U.S. states, the capital is not the biggest or best-known city. Albany rather than New York City, Harrisburg rather than Philadelphia, Olympia rather than Seattle. This quiz has 20 of the capitals that catch people out, each with the reason it was chosen.
Score 15 or more and you know your capitals better than most Americans. For a broader test on the 50 states, try the US States Quiz.
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Pick A, B or C for each question. The right answer turns green and a short fact explains it.
All 20 questions and answers
Every question with its answer and explanation. Open “Show answer” after you guess.
1 What is the capital of Pennsylvania?
- A Philadelphia
- B Pittsburgh
- C Harrisburg
Show answer
✓ Answer: C. Harrisburg
Did you know? Harrisburg has been the capital since 1812, chosen for its central location on the Susquehanna River.
2 What is the capital of Washington State?
- A Spokane
- B Olympia
- C Seattle
Show answer
✓ Answer: B. Olympia
Did you know? Olympia sits at the southern tip of Puget Sound, about 100 km south of Seattle.
3 What is the capital of Nevada?
- A Las Vegas
- B Reno
- C Carson City
Show answer
✓ Answer: C. Carson City
Did you know? Carson City is named after the frontiersman Kit Carson.
4 What is the capital of South Dakota?
- A Sioux Falls
- B Pierre
- C Rapid City
Show answer
✓ Answer: B. Pierre
Did you know? Pierre, pronounced 'peer', is one of the smallest state capitals, with about 14,000 people.
5 What is the capital of Vermont?
- A Rutland
- B Burlington
- C Montpelier
Show answer
✓ Answer: C. Montpelier
Did you know? Montpelier is the least populous state capital, with around 8,000 residents.
6 What is the capital of Alaska?
- A Anchorage
- B Fairbanks
- C Juneau
Show answer
✓ Answer: C. Juneau
Did you know? Juneau cannot be reached by road from the rest of Alaska; you have to fly or take a boat.
7 What is the capital of Kentucky?
- A Frankfort
- B Louisville
- C Lexington
Show answer
✓ Answer: A. Frankfort
Did you know? Frankfort was a compromise between rivals Louisville and Lexington.
8 What is the capital of Oregon?
- A Eugene
- B Salem
- C Portland
Show answer
✓ Answer: B. Salem
Did you know? Salem lies in the Willamette Valley, about 75 km south of Portland.
9 What is the capital of Michigan?
- A Grand Rapids
- B Lansing
- C Detroit
Show answer
✓ Answer: B. Lansing
Did you know? The capital moved from Detroit to Lansing in 1847, partly to be further from the Canadian border.
10 What is the capital of Missouri?
- A Jefferson City
- B Kansas City
- C St. Louis
Show answer
✓ Answer: A. Jefferson City
Did you know? It is named after Thomas Jefferson, who organized the Louisiana Purchase.
11 What is the capital of Arizona?
- A Phoenix
- B Tucson
- C Flagstaff
Show answer
✓ Answer: A. Phoenix
Did you know? Phoenix is the most populous state capital in the United States.
12 What is the capital of Ohio?
- A Cleveland
- B Columbus
- C Cincinnati
Show answer
✓ Answer: B. Columbus
Did you know? Columbus is also Ohio's largest city, which is unusual among the big Midwest states.
13 What is the capital of Maryland?
- A Baltimore
- B Annapolis
- C Frederick
Show answer
✓ Answer: B. Annapolis
Did you know? Annapolis briefly served as the U.S. capital in 1783 and 1784.
14 What is the capital of Colorado?
- A Boulder
- B Denver
- C Colorado Springs
Show answer
✓ Answer: B. Denver
Did you know? One step of the Colorado State Capitol is marked as exactly one mile above sea level, hence Denver's nickname, the Mile High City.
15 What is the capital of Nebraska?
- A Kearney
- B Omaha
- C Lincoln
Show answer
✓ Answer: C. Lincoln
Did you know? The city was renamed Lincoln in 1867, two years after the president's death.
16 What is the capital of Louisiana?
- A Shreveport
- B Baton Rouge
- C New Orleans
Show answer
✓ Answer: B. Baton Rouge
Did you know? Its 34-story capitol, completed in 1932, is the tallest state capitol building in the country.
17 What is the capital of Delaware?
- A Dover
- B Wilmington
- C Newark
Show answer
✓ Answer: A. Dover
Did you know? Dover was chosen in 1777 because it was safer from British attack than New Castle.
18 What is the capital of Wisconsin?
- A Milwaukee
- B Green Bay
- C Madison
Show answer
✓ Answer: C. Madison
Did you know? Madison is built on a narrow isthmus between two lakes, Mendota and Monona.
19 What is the capital of Hawaii?
- A Honolulu
- B Lahaina
- C Hilo
Show answer
✓ Answer: A. Honolulu
Did you know? Honolulu is on the island of Oahu. Iolani Palace there was home to Hawaii's last monarchs.
20 What is the capital of Idaho?
- A Idaho Falls
- B Boise
- C Pocatello
Show answer
✓ Answer: B. Boise
Did you know? Boise is also Idaho's largest city.
Why so many capitals are small cities
Many state capitals were chosen in the 1700s and 1800s for reasons that had nothing to do with size. Lawmakers wanted a site near the geographic center of the state, so it was easy to reach on horseback, or a compromise between rival cities. Some capitals were deliberately placed away from large ports and trading cities to keep government separate from commercial interests.
That is why Springfield, not Chicago, is the capital of Illinois, and why Tallahassee sits halfway between Florida's two old colonial capitals, Pensacola and St. Augustine.
A trick for remembering them
Link each capital to a single fact: Juneau cannot be reached by road, Montpelier has no McDonald's in the city, and Boise is the largest city in Idaho. Once a capital has a story, it is much easier to recall under time pressure.
State Capitals Quiz FAQ
Which U.S. state capital is the largest city by population?
Phoenix, Arizona, is the most populous state capital.
Is this quiz free?
Yes. It is free, needs no sign-up and works on phones and computers.
Can I play against the clock?
Yes. Tick 'Timed mode' before you start to get 15 seconds per question.
Is this the official Bing quiz?
No. BingQuiz.net is independent and not affiliated with Microsoft. This is our own quiz on U.S. state capitals. For the official daily quiz, see today's Bing Homepage Quiz answers.