Do you know all the state capitals?

Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock
Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock

Unless you are an elementary school student or trivia night regular, it might seem, well, trivial to know the capital of each of the 50 American states. You know the capital of the states where you've lived, of course. You probably know the capitals of nearby states, too.

You might know that capital cities aren't necessarily the most populated in the state, the most centrally located, or most culturally influential. But during their founding, the citizens and leaders of each state fought hard over geographical location. These decisions were not always permanent, as some states have moved their capitals around. But to know the capital of each state is to know where decisions are being made. Memorizing all 50 state capitals can also help you become more aware of the historic and political landscape around you, and of course, a major threat come trivia contest time.

Stacker compiled a list of all state capitals, so try this quiz and see how you fare.

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1 / 100

State: Alabama

This capital is one of five since Alabama achieved statehood in 1819.

2 / 100

Capital: Montgomery

When Alabama was a territory, its capital was St. Stephens. Upon statehood the capital shifted to Huntsville, then just a few years later to Cahawba. Soon, political factions pushed for a change and selected Tuscaloosa. But since 1846, the capital has been located in Montgomery, known today as the Capital of Dreams for its prominence in the Civil Rights Movement.

3 / 100

State: Alaska

This capital is easier to reach by plane or ferry than by car.

6 / 100

Capital: Phoenix

Phoenix is the most populous city in Arizona with almost 1.5 million people. Its rapid growth since the mid-20th century is due in part to manufacturing and electronics production.

7 / 100

State: Arkansas

If you know there's a Reba McEntire song named after this town...

9 / 100

State: California

Think northern wine belt, not movie stars.

10 / 100

Capital: Sacramento

This city lies at the heart of many of California's major landscapes and industries, including those created by the Gold Rush. It is the oldest incorporated city in California and its name in Spanish means in honor of the Holy Sacrament.

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11 / 100

State: Colorado

This city is situated one mile above sea level.

12 / 100

Capital: Denver

There are markers at the capitol building indicating Denver's mile-high altitude. But visitors to the Mile High City still have to crane their necks to see the peaks of the Rocky Mountains, which span vertically across the state.

13 / 100

State: Connecticut

This city is known as the insurance capital of the world.

16 / 100

Capital: Dover

Dover will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of its famous oval racetrack that hosts NASCAR truck and car races. The Monster Mile features 24-degree banking in the turns and 9-degree banking on the straightaways.

17 / 100

State: Florida

This state's capital is where the Seminoles play football.

18 / 100

Capital: Tallahassee

Tallahassee is home to Florida State University's three-time national football champions, but also Florida A&M, one of the largest historically black universities in the country.

19 / 100

State: Georgia

This city has been the capital since Reconstruction.

20 / 100

Capital: Atlanta

The Georgia State Capitol is one of 43 National Historic Landmarks in the state. Little has been altered on its exterior since its completion and the structure holds important significance architecturally, historically, politically, and socially.

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21 / 100

State: Hawaii

This city is on the island of Oahu.

22 / 100

Capital: Honolulu

Oahu is only the third-largest Hawaiian island, but Honolulu is the state's biggest city. Hawaii is the youngest state in the union, achieving statehood in 1959.

23 / 100

State: Idaho

This capital is the home of a blue football field.

24 / 100

Capital: Boise

This capital city is home to the Boise State University Broncos and their famous blue turf, which have made them a favorite underdog among football fans in recent years. Additionally, the Boise Center is the largest convention center in the state.

26 / 100

Capital: Springfield

Located in the central part of Illinois, Springfield has served as the capital since 1837. It is also the place to go for all things Abraham Lincoln.

27 / 100

State: Indiana

This capital is the site of open-wheel racing's top event.

28 / 100

Capital: Indianapolis

In 1825, Indianapolis became the capital. Today it is also famous for its namesake racetrack, where the Indianapolis 500 is run annually.

29 / 100

State: Iowa

Iowa is a one-word state with a two-word capital city.

30 / 100

Capital: Des Moines

The capitol is a top tourist spot in the state. Highlights of this century-old building include a 275-foot gold-leafed dome and a marble grand staircase.

31 / 100

State: Kansas

This city is located in the eastern side of the state.

32 / 100

Capital: Topeka

This capitol building includes an intriguing castle dungeon motif basement and epic murals by John Steuart Curry, featuring images of abolitionist John Brown.

33 / 100

State: Kentucky

This state's capital was originally called Frank's Ford.

34 / 100

Capital: Frankfort

This city was named in honor of pioneer Stephen Frank, who was killed during an attack at the Kentucky River crossing. After becoming capital in the late 18th century, the city merged with neighboring South Frankfort in 1850.

35 / 100

State: Louisiana

This city's name is French for "red stick."

36 / 100

Capital: Baton Rouge

The city was founded in 1719 as a French military post. The French ceded the fort and settlement to Great Britain in 1762. Although the Louisiana Purchase did not include Baton Rouge, the U.S. later annexed it in 1815. In 1817, the city was incorporated and became Louisiana's state capital in 1849.

37 / 100

State: Maine

This is the easternmost capital city.

38 / 100

Capital: Augusta

After centuries of human habitation, in 1799, Augusta became the shire town of Kennebec County. In 1827, the town was designated the capital of Maine, which had entered the union in 1820. In 1849, Augusta was finally chartered as a city.

39 / 100

State: Maryland

This city was once the U.S. capital.

41 / 100

State: Massachusetts

This capital is the birthplace of a Founding Father.

42 / 100

Capital: Boston

Benjamin Franklin was born here in 1706, and his birth city would forever shape Franklin's legacy. In 1773, American colonists sharing sentiments with Franklin, destroyed tea contained on three East India Company ships in Boston Harbor, an event remembered as the Boston Tea Party.

43 / 100

State: Michigan

It's the capital, but not the county seat.

44 / 100

Capital: Lansing

Lansing has a population of about 117,000 inhabitants and is situated in the center of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, a major landmass bounded by Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Nearby East Lansing is the home of Michigan State University.

45 / 100

State: Minnesota

This is the Twin city named for a saint.

46 / 100

Capital: Saint Paul

In 1849, St. Paul was named the capital of the Minnesota Territory and continued to hold the title when Minnesota achieved statehood. St. Paul is the northernmost capital city located on the Mississippi River, but it does not have much competition. The next closest is Baton Rouge.

47 / 100

State: Mississippi

Come here to get married in a fever.

48 / 100

Capital: Jackson

The song about Jackson could have been written about this town, but that fever is likely not as hot as the molten lava of Jackson Volcano. Jackson is the only state capital perched directly above an extinct volcano.

49 / 100

State: Missouri

This city sits on the banks of a river named for the state.

50 / 100

Capital: Jefferson City

Jeff City, as it is known to locals, was named for Thomas Jefferson, but it also has German heritage, evident in the Munichburg neighborhood.

51 / 100

State: Montana

It's the city with the name of a Roman empress.

53 / 100

State: Nebraska

This city is named for the 16th president of the United States.

54 / 100

Capital: Lincoln

Lincoln was originally called Lancaster, but in 1867, when Nebraska became the 37th state, the city was renamed for Abraham Lincoln, two years after his death.

55 / 100

State: Nevada

This city stands alone.

56 / 100

Capital: Carson City

Named after frontiersman Kit Carson, this state capital is an independent city, meaning it is not part of a county. However, Carson City was once the county seat of the now defunct Ormsby County.

57 / 100

State: New Hampshire

This is the city where everyone agrees and is in harmony.

58 / 100

Capital: Concord

Since its founding, what is now Concord has had many different names and borders. The New Hampshire State House, constructed between 1815 and 1818, is the oldest state house in which the legislature meets in its original chambers.

59 / 100

State: New Jersey

The city was founded in 1679 by Quakers.

60 / 100

Capital: Trenton

In 1719, the town adopted the name Trent-towne in honor of local landowner William Trent. After the American Revolution, Trenton spent two months as the U.S. capital.

61 / 100

State: New Mexico

This city is named for its location on a famous trail.

62 / 100

Capital: Santa Fe

Culture and creativity has been an integral part of the city's history. Santa Fe's appointment to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network is a testament to the city's important achievements in cultural industry development.

63 / 100

State: New York

This city is known as the Other New York.

64 / 100

Capital: Albany

With 1.1 million residents, Albany has grown tremendously since Henry Hudson sailed up the Hudson River in 1609, and landed near the city outskirts. Originally, Hudson was searching for a route to the Pacific Ocean.

65 / 100

State: North Carolina

This capital is named for an English gentleman and friend of Queen Elizabeth I.

66 / 100

Capital: Raleigh

Sir Walter Raleigh's initial attempts in America included a failed colony, but the city of Raleigh's modern economy is flourishing based on banking and financial services. That's not all. The capital is also a hub for production of medical, electronic, and telecommunications equipment, as well as textiles.

67 / 100

State: North Dakota

This city was named to honor a German chancellor.

68 / 100

Capital: Bismarck

Bismarck has had several names over the years, but has always been North Dakota's only capital. Its art deco capitol building was constructed in the 1930s, and at 21 stories, is the tallest building in the state.

69 / 100

State: Ohio

This is the state's largest city.

70 / 100

Capital: Columbus

Columbus is often overshadowed by Cleveland and Cincinnati with their multiple professional sports teams, but it is at the top of many lists for best places to live, due to its bustling growth and affordability.

71 / 100

State: Oklahoma

This capital shares its name with its state. 

73 / 100

State: Oregon

This city shares the same name as an eastern locale associated with witch trials.

74 / 100

Capital: Salem

Salem prides itself on its proximity to larger cities, mountain ranges, and beaches, along with historic preservation and steady growth.

75 / 100

State: Pennsylvania

This capital is where farmers go for bragging rights.

76 / 100

Capital: Harrisburg

There is more to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania than technology and industry. Agriculture is still an important source of pride and the annual Pennsylvania Farm Show is the nation's largest indoor agricultural exposition held under one roof.

77 / 100

State: Rhode Island

This capital is a city founded by an exiled English Protestant theologian.

79 / 100

State: South Carolina

This capital is not to be confused with the largest city in Ohio.

81 / 100

State: South Dakota

This capital is pronounced without the French accent.

83 / 100

State: Tennessee

This city was founded on the site of Fort Nashborough.

84 / 100

Capital: Nashville

The location was at the end of the Natchez Trace, an ancient forest trail utilized by Native Americans for centuries. The trail was later used by early European explorers, traders, soldiers, emigrants, postriders, slaves, preachers, and outlaws.

85 / 100

State: Texas

The unofficial slogan is to keep this city weird.

86 / 100

Capital: Austin

Who says state government, major research universities, shop-local movements, and tie-dye can't all exist within the borders of one city?

87 / 100

State: Utah

This capital is named after the largest lake of its kind in America.

88 / 100

Capital: Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City was built around the Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Today, the city is home to residents of many faiths and walks of life.

89 / 100

State: Vermont

This capital is named after a city in southern France.

90 / 100

Capital: Montpelier

Vermonters mostly pronounce it "Mont-peel-yer" rather than with a French accent. The capital of the second-least populated state is not surprisingly the smallest capital.

91 / 100

State: Virginia

This city was once the capital of another country.

92 / 100

Capital: Richmond

When Virginia seceded from the U.S. at the start of the Civil War, the Confederate government moved the capital to Richmond, the South's second-largest city. As capital of the Confederacy, the city's population soon tripled.

93 / 100

State: Washington

This city was named for a nearby mountain range.

95 / 100

State: West Virginia

This capital shares its name with a popular city in South Carolina.

96 / 100

Capital: Charleston

Centuries ago, the Adena, a Native American tribe, inhabited this valley. They were mound builders and examples of their their work are located in downtown South Charleston.

97 / 100

State: Wisconsin

This capital is named for the fourth U.S. president.

98 / 100

Capital: Madison

The Madison state capitol building is 284 feet, 5 inches tall from the ground floor to the top of the dome. Although now in its third iteration, the capitol will always be the tallest building in the area, because state law prohibits anything within a mile from being higher.

99 / 100

State: Wyoming

The site of the Daddy of 'Em All rodeos.

100 / 100

Capital: Cheyenne

If you like rodeo, you'll know about Cheyenne, home of the Frontier Days rodeo. The event has been held annually since 1897, and bills itself as the world's largest outdoor rodeo and Western celebration.