Why Learning Capitals & Currencies Still Matters
In today’s fast-paced globalized world, world capitals and currencies knowledge is more than trivia; it is essential. Whether you’re preparing to take a competitive exam, keeping up with international events, organizing international travel, or keeping up with international news, this knowledge gives you context, clarity, and confidence.
From learning why oil prices influence the Kuwaiti Dinar to learning where Sri Lanka’s Parliament is located, such information contributes to world awareness and civic smarts.
Did you know: There are three capital cities in South Africa! Additionally, over 20 European countries have a common currency—the Euro.
In today’s age of digital payments and cryptocurrencies, physical money would seem to be disappearing. But actually, money reveals a lot about the identity, economy, and history of a country.
“A currency is more than money—it’s identity in your pocket.”
Let’s take a tour of the world’s capitals and currencies continent by continent—and collect the fun facts along the way.
More Than Political Capitals: Understanding Capital Cities
A capital city is usually in a nation where it contains its most important administrative, political, or judicial institutions. But occasionally it doesn’t.
Take South Africa, for example. It has three capitals:
- Pretoria (Executive),
- Bloemfontein (Judicial), and
- Cape Town (Legislative).
There are examples of capital cities being changed, reflecting political shifts or realignments. The capital of Kazakhstan was changed from Astana to Nur-Sultan in 2019, only to be changed again back to Astana in 2022!
There also are ceremonial capitals, like Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte in Sri Lanka, which are distinct from commercial capitals, like Colombo.
Capitals are not simply centers of government—cultural icons, loci of history, and frequently the epicenter of national identity. To understand them is to unlock the government of a state and its geopolitical history.
Basics of Currency: Not All Money Is Equal
A currency is the official means of exchange in a nation, employed to make payments. It has a name, a symbol, and an ISO code—a three-letter code such as INR for Indian Rupee or USD for US Dollar.
Currencies are not simply money and coins; they are tools of economic policy, commerce, and diplomacy.
Did you know:
- Zimbabwe temporarily suspended its currency because of hyperinflation.
- Panama employs the US Dollar with its local Balboa.
- Ecuador, El Salvador, and some Caribbean nations also use foreign currencies as their official currency.
There are even those currencies with the same name but without any relation in terms of value—like the dollar in USA, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Certain currencies are fixed against stronger counterparts for certain purposes of stabilization. Nepal and Bhutan, for example, fix their currencies against the Indian Rupee.
Understanding how currency systems function is vital for travel, forex, economics—and even your next international shopping spree.
List of Countries, Capitals, and Currencies by Continents
Africa
- Africa is diverse in terms of culture and economy, with more than 50 countries.
- Nigeria – Abuja – Nigerian Naira (NGN)
- Kenya – Nairobi – Kenyan Shilling (KES)
- Cairo, Egypt – Egyptian Pound (EGP)
- South Africa – Pretoria – South African Rand (ZAR)
Did you know that the Seychelles rupee is one of the world’s rarest currencies in circulation?
Most African nations utilize the shared currencies such as the CFA Franc, which is pegged to the Euro.
Asia
- Asia, with giants such as India and China, boasts a rich variety of capitals and currencies.
- India – New Delhi – Indian Rupee (INR)
- China – Beijing – Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY)
- Japan – Tokyo – Japanese Yen (JPY)
- Indonesia – Jakarta – Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
Main credits:
Both Singapore and Hong Kong have their own versions of the Dollar.
Nepal and Bhutan use rupee-pegged currencies, cementing their relationship with India.
Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia use the Riyal, while Iran uses the Rial—two not to be confused!
Asia’s diversity and economic range render it the essential learning ground for any world-aware reader.
Europe
- Europe is exhibiting monetary unity and diversity simultaneously.
- France – Paris – Euro (EUR)
- Germany – Berlin – Euro (EUR)
- Sweden – Stockholm – Swedish Krona (SEK)
- United Kingdom – London – Pound Sterling (GBP)
- Russia – Moscow – Russian Ruble (RUB)
The Eurozone includes over 20 nations sharing the Euro, making trade and tourism easy.
However, not all nations in the EU use a Euro—Poland, Hungary, and Czech Republic keep their own money.
Europe’s balance of integration and independence provides profound insight into international economic strategy.
North America
From island havens to superpowers, North America’s currency map is intriguing.
- USA – Washington, D.C. – US Dollar (USD)
- Canada – Ottawa – Canadian Dollar (CAD)
- Mexico – Mexico City – Mexican Peso (MXN)
- Trinidad & Tobago – Port of Spain – Trinidad & Tobago Dollar (TTD)
- Haiti – Port-au-Prince – Haitian Gourde (HTG)
Some Caribbean countries employ the East Caribbean Dollar (XCD), which is a regional currency.
The US Dollar dominates not only the region but also international financial transactions and frequently acts as the standard for other currencies.
South America
South America’s economies and currencies are varied:
- Brazil – Brasília – Brazilian Real (BRL)
- Argentina, Buenos Aires, and Argentine Peso (ARS).
- Chile – Santiago – Chilean Peso (CLP)
- Venezuela – Caracas – Venezuelan Bolívar (VES)
Though Brazil’s Real is relatively robust, inflation has devastated countries like Argentina and Venezuela, weakening currencies.
Political events, natural resources, and trade policies all play significant roles in shaping these economic trends.
Oceania
This area includes advanced economies and island nations:
- Australia – Canberra – Australian Dollar (AUD)
- New Zealand – Wellington – New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
- Fiji – Suva – Fijian Dollar (FJD)
- Samoa – Apia – Samoan Tālā (WST)
Island countries typically have special currencies with limited use and thus are not common among collectors.
Australia and New Zealand are regional leaders in economic power with internationally accepted currencies.
Middle East / West Asia
This geopolitically important area boasts a varied set of currencies:
- UAE – Abu Dhabi – Dirham (AED)
- Saudi Arabia – Riyadh – Riyal (SAR)
- Israel – Jerusalem – Israeli Shekel (ILS)
- Jordan, Amman, and the Jordanian Dinar (JOD).
- Lebanon – Beirut – Lebanese Pound (LBP)
- Iraq – Baghdad – Iraqi Dinar (IQD)
Others employ currency boards or a fixed exchange rate against the US Dollar to stabilize, particularly in unstable areas.
Exports of oil control exchange values here, and it is a focal point of interest for international economists and travelers alike.
Common Currency Countries: Euro, CFA, East Caribbean Dollar
Common currencies enhance trade and travel across borders.
- Euro (EUR): 20+ countries in Europe use it, including France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
- CFA Franc: Shared by 14 African nations, divided between West and Central CFA zones, both fixed to the Euro.
- East Caribbean Dollar (XCD): 8 countries in the Caribbean use it, including Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Antigua.
These common systems facilitate regional unification but restrict the individual control of each country over monetary policy.
These cooperative currency models are lessons in economic diplomacy and practical governance.
Countries With Two Capitals or Controversial Ones
There are nations that are against having a single, unified capital.
- South Africa: Has three—Pretoria (executive), Cape Town (legislative), and Bloemfontein (judicial).
- Sri Lanka: its commercial capital is Colombo; its official legislative capital is Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.
- Jerusalem’s status as a capital is a global issue with many countries recognizing Tel Aviv as an alternative.
These paintings capture historical, political, or administrative complexity—reminding us that government structures aren’t necessarily straightforward.
Weakest & strongest currencies in 2025
Currency strength is sometimes used interchangeably with economic strength—but they are not synonymous.
Strongest Currencies (2025):
- Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD)
- Bahraini Dinar (BHD)
- Omani Rial (OMR)
Weakest Currencies (2025):
- Iranian Rial (IRR)
- Vietnamese Dong (VND)
High exchange rates will signal a tight supply, oil exports, or monetary policy—instead of GDP.
A richer nation is not necessarily a stronger currency, but a more stable or more valuable exchange unit in international trade.
5 Fast Memory Aids to Remember Capitals & Currencies
“B-F-D” stands for France, specifically Paris, the heart of Europe.
Visual Mnemonics: Visualize the maple leaf (????) for Canada = Ottawa – CAD.
Landmark Links: Eiffel Tower = Paris = Euro.
Culinary Clues: Sushi = Japan = Tokyo – Yen.
Mini Quizzes: Test yourself after each continent using flashcards or apps. These memory aids are fun to learn, particularly for students and travelers. World facts are easier to recall when associated with images or experiences.
Conclusion
From organizing your travel to mastering competitive exams, knowing the world capitals and currencies keeps you world-aware and mentally sharp. These pieces of information make you connect with history, politics, economics, and culture all at once.
Mark this article to read quickly, or quiz yourself weekly to keep your mind sharp!
Be curious—and stay curious about the world!
