Current Affairs MCQs – Page 63 (Q621-630)

Jakarta is the capital city of Indonesia, the country's largest city and a major economic and cultural hub located on the island of Java. Due to severe overcrowding, pollution and sinking infrastructure caused partly by excessive groundwater extraction, Indonesia has begun relocating its capital to a newly planned city called Nusantara on the island of Borneo. Bandung, Surabaya and Medan are tempting distractors as other major Indonesian cities, with Surabaya being the country's second-largest city. Jakarta will likely continue to serve as Indonesia's commercial and financial center even after the government's political functions relocate to Nusantara.

Mexico City is the capital city of Mexico, one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, built atop the ruins of Tenochtitlan, the ancient capital of the Aztec Empire that was conquered by Spanish forces in 1521. It serves as Mexico's political, economic and cultural center, with a metropolitan population of over 21 million people. Guadalajara, Monterrey and Cancun are tempting distractors as other major Mexican cities, with Cancun instead being primarily known as a popular coastal tourist destination. Mexico City's historic center, built over the remains of the Aztec capital, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Buenos Aires is the capital city of Argentina, the country's largest city and its political, economic and cultural center, often nicknamed the Paris of South America for its grand European-influenced architecture and boulevards. It serves as a major hub for Argentine culture, including the tango, a dance and music style that originated in the city's working-class neighborhoods. Mendoza, Cordoba and Rosario are tempting distractors as other major Argentine cities, with Mendoza in particular known for its renowned wine-producing region. Buenos Aires was founded twice by Spanish colonizers, first in 1536 and again in 1580 after the original settlement was abandoned.

Pretoria serves as the administrative, or executive, capital of South Africa, a country notable for having three separate capital cities dividing different branches of government, a legacy of a political compromise struck when the country was unified in 1910. Cape Town serves as the legislative capital, hosting Parliament, while Bloemfontein serves as the judicial capital, hosting the Supreme Court of Appeal. Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town are tempting distractors, with Johannesburg being South Africa's largest city and main economic hub despite not being any of the three official capitals. Pretoria is also known for its many jacaranda trees, which bloom in a spectacular display of purple flowers each spring.

Abuja is the capital city of Nigeria, a purpose-built planned city that officially replaced Lagos as the country's capital in 1991, chosen partly for its central location and partly to reduce ethnic and religious tensions associated with the coastal, historically dominant city of Lagos. It serves as Nigeria's political and administrative center today. Lagos, Kano and Ibadan are tempting distractors as other major Nigerian cities, with Lagos remaining the country's largest city and its primary commercial and financial hub. Abuja's relatively planned, spacious layout stands in sharp contrast to the dense, sprawling urban chaos often associated with Lagos.

Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya, the country's largest city and a major regional hub for East Africa, serving as headquarters for several United Nations agencies, including UN-Habitat and the UN Environment Programme. It was founded in 1899 as a railway depot during the construction of the Uganda Railway under British colonial rule. Mombasa, Nakuru and Kisumu are tempting distractors as other significant Kenyan cities, with Mombasa serving as the country's principal port city instead. Nairobi National Park, uniquely located just outside the city center, allows visitors to see wildlife like lions and giraffes against a backdrop of skyscrapers.

Bern is the capital city of Switzerland, though notably not the country's largest city, a distinction held instead by Zurich, reflecting Switzerland's historical practice of maintaining a relatively low-key political capital. Bern's well-preserved medieval old town is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Basel, Geneva and Zurich are tempting distractors as other major Swiss cities, with Geneva in particular hosting numerous international organizations despite not being the country's capital. Bern is also home to the Swiss Parliament and numerous federal government institutions, reflecting its central political role despite its comparatively modest size.

Amsterdam is the constitutional capital city of the Netherlands, renowned for its historic canal network, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its rich artistic heritage tied to painters like Rembrandt and Vincent van Gogh. Notably, the Netherlands' actual seat of government and the residence of the king are located in The Hague, not Amsterdam. Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht are tempting distractors, with The Hague specifically serving as the country's political center and home to international courts like the ICJ. Amsterdam remains the Netherlands' largest city and its primary commercial and cultural hub.

Stockholm is the capital city of Sweden, built across 14 islands connected by numerous bridges, earning it the nickname Venice of the North for its extensive waterways. It serves as the country's political, economic and cultural center and hosts the annual Nobel Prize award ceremonies each December, except for the Peace Prize. Gothenburg, Malmo and Uppsala are tempting distractors as other significant Swedish cities, with Gothenburg being the country's second-largest city and a major port. Stockholm's well-preserved medieval old town, Gamla Stan, remains one of the best-preserved historic city centers in Europe.

Oslo is the capital city of Norway, the country's largest city and its political, economic and cultural center, uniquely also serving as the site of the annual Nobel Peace Prize ceremony each December, distinct from the other Nobel Prizes awarded in Stockholm, Sweden. It is surrounded by forests and fjords, reflecting Norway's dramatic natural landscape. Trondheim, Bergen and Stavanger are tempting distractors as other significant Norwegian cities, with Bergen known for its colorful historic wharf and gateway access to Norway's famous fjords. Oslo has grown rapidly in recent decades, fueled significantly by Norway's substantial North Sea oil wealth.