Here are the capitals of Western Europe. Two of them share their country's name, and two countries have a twist about where the government sits.
| Country | Capital |
|---|---|
| France | Paris |
| Germany | Berlin |
| Belgium | Brussels |
| Netherlands | Amsterdam (see the note) |
| Luxembourg | Luxembourg |
| Switzerland | Bern |
| Austria | Vienna |
| Liechtenstein | Vaduz |
| Monaco | Monaco |
Key idea
Paris (France), Berlin (Germany), Brussels (Belgium), Amsterdam (the Netherlands), Vienna (Austria), Bern (Switzerland) and Vaduz (Liechtenstein). Luxembourg and Monaco have capitals with the same name as the country.
Why it works
A country's capital is set by its own laws, and they do not all work the same way. The Netherlands' constitution names Amsterdam as the capital, but the government and parliament meet in The Hague. Switzerland's laws name no capital at all; Bern is the "federal city", where the government sits, so it is the answer for Switzerland.
Worked example: Switzerland's capital
Zurich and Geneva are famous Swiss cities. Which city is the capital?
- Zurich is the largest city, and Geneva hosts many international groups.
- The government and parliament sit in Bern.
Answer: Bern.
Worked example: A capital with the country's name
What is the capital of Luxembourg?
- Luxembourg's capital is also called Luxembourg (sometimes Luxembourg City).
Answer: Luxembourg.
Two more to place by water: Vienna lies on the Danube, at the eastern edge of the Alps, and Brussels, in the middle of Belgium, is also home to the main offices of the European Union. Monaco's capital is the whole city-state, and Liechtenstein's, Vaduz, is a small town on the Rhine.
Common mistake
People answer Geneva or Zurich for Switzerland; the answer is Bern. For the Netherlands, Amsterdam is the capital; The Hague is where the government works, and both are accepted here.