There are 195 countries in the world at the moment. There will only be one city that is known as the capital of the country. Find a list of all the capital cities in the world, broken down by country.
All Capitals in the World
What is the capital city
As of 2022, the world has 195 separate countries, and each one has a capital city or town. For most countries, the constitution or laws that the country follows spell out where the capital is.
Most of the time, the largest city in a country is also its capital city.
Most of the time, the capital city is where the government is based. A lot of the time, it's also where the main offices and branches of government are.
A country's capital is often its center for business, culture, and people. In the past, trade, communication, and transportation often centered in capital cities.
The capital city of some countries is more than one city. The National Congress of Chile is in Valparaiso, even though Santiago is the capital of Chile. People call Dar es Salaam the capital of Tanzania, but most of the government is in Dodoma.
Finally, not every country agrees that there should only be one national capital. In the case of Bolivia, La Paz is the administrative capital and Sucre is the constitutional capital. South Africa has three capitals: Pretoria is the seat of government, Cape Town is the seat of government, and Bloemfontein is the seat of government.
A country's capital is often its center for business, culture, and people. In the past, trade, communication, and transportation often centered in capital cities.
It's not often that a capital city is built just to be a capital city. Brasilia, Brazil's capital, was built by the government only to be a government city.
How are capital cities chosen
To show how fair their government is, many countries choose capitals that are in the middle of the country's landmass. This way, the capital is less likely to be or look biased toward one region over another.
Population may be the main reason why a country would rather pick an existing city as its capital than build a whole new one. Capital cities are usually the ones with the most people.
A capital city can also mean that politicians are willing to work together, like in the US.
A country's choice of capital has sometimes been based on politics alone, without any thought for the consequences. The capital of Myanmar is called Nay Pyi Taw, which in Burmese means "Abode of Kings." The name of the city comes from where it was built.
The city that a country chooses as its capital becomes a big part of what it means to be a nation. People live in the city, and tourists come to see it. It is also the city chosen to represent the whole country to the rest of the world.
A deep dive into the 15 most handsome NBA players in 2026 based on Ranker’s fan voting. Includes bios, teams, achievements, style, relationships, and off-court appeal.
Discover the top 5 signature events at the 2026 National Cherry Blossom Festival, from the Opening Ceremony to the Parade and fireworks at Petalpalooza.
The 2026 National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC features about 3,800 cherry trees, roughly unchanged from last year. Here’s what’s new, different, and worth knowing.
The top 10 list features a diverse group of men from various industries, including film, music, and fashion. While their facial symmetry aligns with the Golden Ratio, their talent, achievements, and ability to inspire others add depth to their allure.
Once again, the world is captivated by a remarkable group of men who not only impress with their striking looks but also inspire through their talent and achievements. Join us as we take a closer look at the top 10 most handsome men of 2026!
America’s 250th Anniversary — the U.S. Semiquincentennial — will be celebrated on July 4, 2026, marking 250 years since the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The milestone honors the founding ideals of liberty and self-government while also recognizing diverse stories from soldiers, enslaved people, Native nations, and immigrants who shaped the nation. Through the nationwide America250 initiative, cities across all 50 states are preparing reenactments, exhibitions, education programs, and major civic festivals, culminating in nationwide parades, concerts, and fireworks on Independence Day 2026 — a moment to reflect on America’s past and its future.
The Jeffrey Epstein Files are a series of unsealed court records and U.S. government disclosures revealing the contacts, communications, and movements of Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier who died in custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. The documents include emails, calendars, photos, and testimony that detail Epstein’s ties to powerful political, business, academic, and royal figures worldwide, while underscoring that being named does not itself imply criminal wrongdoing.
Everything you need to know ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, taking place in June–July 2026 across 16 host cities in North America, featuring 48 national teams. Up-to-date, in-depth coverage of the full list of qualified teams, players, coaches, stadiums, host cities, match venues, tickets, travel, accommodation, weather, local culture and lifestyle, do’s and don’ts, and all related activities and events.
Kharg Island is Iran’s most critical oil export hub. Here’s where it is, why it matters, and why Washington is considering targeting or seizing it in 2026.
Discover everything coming to Prime Video in April 2026, including The Boys Season 5, Balls Up, Crime 101 and more. Full list, release dates, and top picks.
A data-driven, updated look at the top 10 young MLB players set to break out or dominate in 2026, including Paul Skenes, Jackson Chourio, and Junior Caminero.
Israel calendar 2026: full list of public holidays, Jewish festivals and national observances, with key dates, travel tips and what each celebration means.
Discover everything coming to Netflix in April 2026 with a complete day-by-day schedule, plus highlights of the most anticipated movies and series you shouldn’t miss.
A deep dive into the 15 most handsome NBA players in 2026 based on Ranker’s fan voting. Includes bios, teams, achievements, style, relationships, and off-court appeal.
Discover the top 5 signature events at the 2026 National Cherry Blossom Festival, from the Opening Ceremony to the Parade and fireworks at Petalpalooza.
Discover the complete list of American universities in the Middle East, including U.S. branch campuses and American-style institutions in Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt, UAE, and beyond.
Discover the complete April holidays 2026 calendar, including Easter Sunday, Passover, Earth Day, World Health Day, Tax Day, Arbor Day, World Book Day, awareness months, and daily observances.
In 2026, the global billionaire landscape has reached new heights. According to Forbes, there are now 3,428 billionaires across more than 80 countries, collectively controlling over $20 trillion in wealth .
How Many Countries and Territories Are There In the World 2022: Full List, More in the Future 
