Here are the capitals of the fourteen countries of Oceania. Most Pacific capitals are small harbor towns; the two famous ones are not the biggest cities in their countries.
| Country | Capital |
|---|---|
| Australia | Canberra |
| New Zealand | Wellington |
| Papua New Guinea | Port Moresby |
| Fiji | Suva |
| Solomon Islands | Honiara |
| Vanuatu | Port Vila |
| Palau | Ngerulmud |
| Micronesia | Palikir |
| Marshall Islands | Majuro |
| Nauru | Yaren (see the note) |
| Kiribati | Tarawa |
| Tuvalu | Funafuti |
| Samoa | Apia |
| Tonga | Nukuʻalofa |
Key idea
Canberra (Australia), Wellington (New Zealand), Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea) and Suva (Fiji). Then the islands: Honiara, Port Vila, Ngerulmud, Palikir, Majuro, Tarawa, Funafuti, Apia and Nukuʻalofa. Nauru has no official capital; its government sits in Yaren District.
Why it works
Canberra is a planned capital. When Australia's colonies joined in 1901, Sydney and Melbourne both wanted to be the capital. As a compromise, a new city was built between them, and it was named in 1913. New Zealand moved its capital to Wellington in 1865 because it sits near the middle of the country, at the south end of the North Island.
Worked example: Australia's capital
Is Sydney the capital of Australia?
- Sydney is Australia's best-known city.
- The capital is Canberra, built between Sydney and Melbourne.
Answer: No; Canberra.
Worked example: New Zealand's capital
Auckland is New Zealand's largest city. What is the capital?
- The capital is Wellington, at the south end of the North Island.
Answer: Wellington.
For the Pacific islands, learn the capitals by region, as you learned the countries. In Melanesia: Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea), Honiara (Solomon Islands), Port Vila (Vanuatu), Suva (Fiji). In Micronesia: Ngerulmud (Palau), Palikir (Micronesia), Majuro (Marshall Islands), Tarawa (Kiribati). In Polynesia: Apia (Samoa), Nukuʻalofa (Tonga), Funafuti (Tuvalu).
Common mistake
People say Sydney for Australia or Auckland for New Zealand. The capitals are Canberra and Wellington.