The capitals of Eastern Europe include some of the continent's biggest cities. Many sit on great rivers.
| Country | Capital |
|---|---|
| Poland | Warsaw |
| Czechia | Prague |
| Slovakia | Bratislava |
| Hungary | Budapest |
| Romania | Bucharest |
| Bulgaria | Sofia |
| Moldova | Chișinău |
| Ukraine | Kyiv |
| Belarus | Minsk |
| Russia | Moscow |
Key idea
Warsaw (Poland), Prague (Czechia), Bratislava (Slovakia), Budapest (Hungary), Bucharest (Romania), Sofia (Bulgaria), Chișinău (Moldova), Kyiv (Ukraine), Minsk (Belarus) and Moscow (Russia).
Why it works
Rivers made these cities. Budapest is two old towns, Buda and Pest, facing each other across the Danube. Bratislava is on the Danube too, and Kyiv is on the Dnieper. Knowing the river can help you find the city.
Worked example: Budapest or Bucharest?
Which is the capital of Hungary?
- Budapest is on the Danube in Hungary.
- Bucharest is the capital of Romania, to the southeast.
Answer: Budapest.
Worked example: A spelling note
How is Ukraine's capital spelled?
- The Ukrainian spelling is Kyiv; older English books use Kiev.
- Both are accepted here, but Kyiv is the usual English spelling today.
Answer: Kyiv.
More river capitals: Warsaw is on the Vistula, Poland's longest river, and Prague is on the Vltava. Moscow, Russia's capital, is in the European part of the country, far west of the Ural Mountains. Moldova's capital, Chișinău, is often written Chisinau without the accent marks; both spellings are accepted.
Worked example: Prague or Bratislava?
Czechia and Slovakia were once one country. Which capital belongs to each?
- Prague, on the Vltava, is the capital of Czechia.
- Bratislava, on the Danube near Austria and Hungary, is the capital of Slovakia.
Answer: Prague (Czechia); Bratislava (Slovakia).
Common mistake
Budapest (Hungary) and Bucharest (Romania) both start with "Bu". Link the letters: Budapest has the Danube running through it; Bucharest is in Romania, farther east.