Test your knowledge of capital cities

Zurich is the financial capital and largest city of Switzerland however, Berne is the political capital. 

Berne is a smaller city, positioned in the heart of Switzerland and is bilingual with both french and swiss german being spoken. 

The very pretty, medieval city of Berne with its many fountains, sandstone facades, narrow streets and historic towers is magical to visit and easily explored on foot. The elevated Rose Garden above the Bear Park and the platform of the 101-metre-high cathedral tower, offers the best view of the old town perched on the River Aare. Boutiques, bars and cafes of the old town, some of which are located in vaulted cellars and the friendly, relaxed atmosphere, makes Berne a worthwhile city to visit.

Zurich is a larger, more international and multicultural city, and you will hear mostly swiss german, german and some english. Berne has its own airport however chances are, if you are arriving from overseas you will fly into the main international hub of Zurich. From Zurich it is really easy to hop on a fast train to arrive in Berne in only an hour. 

Learn more about Berne.

The distinguishing feature in the photo is the Petronas Twin Towers of Kuala Lumpur, which were the worlds tallest buildings from 1998 to 2004.

Kuala Lumpur, also known as KL, boasts gleaming skyscrapers, colonial architecture, charming locals, and a myriad of natural attractions. 

Expansive shopping malls like Pavilion KL and Suria KLCC are also among the biggest tourist attractions in the city, hosting a wide range of upmarket labels from all over the world. Indulge in an abundance of gastronomic delights – with thousands of hawker stalls, cafes, and restaurants. Ancient Batu Caves, local markets and religious sites offer a glimpse into the local culture and lifestyle.

Top 10 Things to See In Kuala Lumpur

Ottawa is located in the provence of Ontario, near the city of Montréal and the U.S. border. Sitting on the Ottawa River, it has at its centre Parliament Hill, with grand Victorian architecture and museums such as the National Gallery of Canada, with noted collections of indigenous and other Canadian art. The park-lined Rideau Canal is filled with boats in summer and ice-skaters in winter.

Budapest is the largest city in Hungary and is also the financial centre and the capital. Bisected by the River Danube the 19th-century Chain Bridge connects the hilly Buda district with flat district of Pest. The view from the river is so impressive, it is even listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

A funicular runs up Castle Hill to Buda’s Old Town. Trinity Square is home to 13th-century Matthias Church and the turrets of the Fishermen’s Bastion, which offer sweeping views of the city.

Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean it is the third-largest city in the Americas with nearly 10 million residents.

Explore fine cuisine, fascinating museums and visit Miraflores, one of Lima’s most high-end areas with beautiful beach views and shopping opportunities or Barranco which shows off Lima’s bohemian side.

London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom, is a 21st-century city with history stretching back to Roman times. 

Famous for Buckingham Palace, St Paul's Cathedral,  Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and red double decker buses, at its centre stands the imposing Houses of Parliament, the iconic ‘Big Ben’ clock tower and Westminster Abbey, site of British monarch coronations. Across the Thames River, the London Eye observation wheel provides panoramic views of the South Bank cultural complex, and the entire city.

In addition to Nairobi's urban core, the city has Nairobi National Park, a large game reserve known for breeding endangered black rhinos and home to giraffes, zebras and lions. Next to it is a well-regarded elephant orphanage operated by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Nairobi is also often used as a jumping-off point for safari trips elsewhere in Kenya.

Mexico City is the capital Mexico and the most populous city in North America as well as one of the most important cultural and financial centres in the Americas. 

The densely populated, high-altitude capital of Mexico is known for its Templo Mayor (a 13th-century Aztec temple), the baroque Catedral Metropolitana de México of the Spanish conquistadors and the Palacio Nacional, which houses historic murals by Diego Rivera. All of these are situated in and around the Plaza de la Constitución, the massive main square also known as the Zócalo.

Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, lies on the island of New Providence. A popular cruise-ship stop, the city of Nassau has a hilly landscape and is known for beaches and offshore coral reefs, popular for diving and snorkeling. It retains many of its typical pastel-colored British colonial buildings, like the pink-hued Government House.

Two bridges connect Nassau to Paradise Island which has the popular white-sand beaches of Cabbage Beach and Paradise Beach as well as the sprawling Atlantis resort; complete with a casino, the Aquaventure water park, and an extensive marine habitat.

Click here if you want to travel to the Bahamas and are interested in Atlantis Resort Specials.

Berlin, Germany’s capital, dates to the 13th century. 

Divided during the Cold War, its 18th-century Brandenburg Gate has become a symbol of reunification. 

Reminders of the city's turbulent 20th-century history include its Holocaust memorial and the Berlin Wall's graffitied remains.

Berlin is known for its art scene and modern landmarks like the gold-colored, swoop-roofed Berliner Philharmonie, built in 1963 and the New Baroque style Berlin Cathedral which has been restored to its former glory. Check the programme hereto try to time your visit for one of the cathedral's many concerts or music services, and be sure to climb the 270 steps to the Dome for superb views over Museum Island.

Whilst Petra was the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom and is a famous archaeological site in Jordan's southwestern desert dating to around 300 B.C.,  the modern city of Amman is the capital of Jordan.

Amman does however have its fair share of ancient ruins. Atop Jabal al-Qala’a hill, the historic Citadel includes the pillars of the Roman Temple of Hercules and the 8th-century Umayyad Palace complex, known for its grand dome. Built into a different downtown hillside, the Roman Theater is a 6,000-capacity, 2nd-century stone amphitheater offering occasional events.

National Geographics Top 10 Things to do in Amman