World Geography and Capitals

Trenton has been the capital of New Jersey since 1790. While Newark and Jersey City are larger cities, they are not the capital. Princeton is home to Princeton University but is a municipality, not the state capital. State capitals are often smaller cities chosen for their central location or historical significance.

Sacramento has been California's capital since 1854. While San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego are larger and more famous cities, Sacramento was chosen for its central location and proximity to gold country during the state's early development. It remains the political center where the governor and legislature work.

Tallahassee has been Florida's capital since 1824, chosen for its central location between Pensacola and St. Augustine, the two major colonial settlements. Miami, Orlando, and Jacksonville are major cities but none serve as the state capital.

Carson City has served as Nevada's capital since statehood in 1864. Las Vegas, while Nevada's most famous city, is not the capital. Salt Lake City is Utah's capital, and Indianapolis is Indiana's capital.

Phoenix became Arizona's capital in 1889, replacing Prescott. It's the most populous state capital in the US. The distractors are capitals of other states: Annapolis (Maryland), Denver (Colorado), and Montgomery (Alabama).

Boston has been Massachusetts's capital since colonial times and is home to the state house on Beacon Hill. Harvard is a university, Atlanta is Georgia's capital, and Hartford is Connecticut's capital.

Honolulu has been Hawaii's capital since 1845 when it was still the Kingdom of Hawaii. It's located on the island of Oahu. The other options are capitals of mainland states: Madison (Wisconsin), Richmond (Virginia), and Olympia (Washington).

Austin became Texas's capital in 1839, chosen for its central location in the Republic of Texas. Dallas and Houston are major cities but not the capital. Nashville is Tennessee's capital.

Springfield has been Illinois's capital since 1839. Chicago is Illinois's largest city but not the capital. The distractors include capitals of other states: Columbus (Ohio) and Harrisburg (Pennsylvania).

Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands) has George Town as its capital and international banking center, and is famous for Stingray City where tourists snorkel with stingrays. Bermuda, Aruba, and Jamaica are Caribbean/West Atlantic islands but don't match these specific features.

Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia, located on the northwest coast of the island of Java. It has been Indonesia's capital since the country's independence and is its center of government and culture.

Sacramento has been California's capital since 1854. It's located in the Central Valley and serves as the state's political center, though Los Angeles and San Francisco are more famous cities.

Juneau is the capital of Alaska, located in the southeast panhandle of the state. It's one of the few state capitals that borders a foreign country (Canada) and is accessible only by boat or plane.

Atlanta has been Georgia's capital since 1868 and is its largest city. The state is named after King George II of England, but its capital is the major city in the American South.