There are 68 capitals that start with the letter Q. From Qaanaaq to Quthing. Capitals are the cities where a country’s government is based and where key administrative functions take place. They often host the central institutions of political power, such as the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Capitals can vary significantly in size, culture, and historical significance within their respective countries. Some are major urban centers with millions of inhabitants, while others are smaller cities chosen for their historical prominence or strategic location. The capital plays a crucial role in a nation’s identity and is often a focal point of national pride.
An interesting fun fact about capitals is that some countries have multiple capitals for different functions. For example, in South Africa, both Pretoria and Bloemfontein serve as administrative and judicial capitals, respectively, while Cape Town is the legislative capital. This unique arrangement reflects historical and political decisions that shape governance in the country.
Here’s what each of the columns in the table means:
Country: This column lists the name of the nation or territory to which the capital belongs.
Population: This represents the estimated number of residents living in the capital city, providing insight into its size and urban density.
Founding Year: This indicates the year when the capital city was established or designated as the primary city for governmental functions, which can help understand its historical context.
Description: This provides a brief overview of the capital city, highlighting notable features, historical significance, cultural aspects, or any unique characteristics that distinguish it from other capitals.
Capitals That Start With Q
| Capitals | country | population | founding year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qaanaaq | Greenland | 656 | 1953 |
| Qabala | Israel | 23,700 | 1948 |
| Qabaqchol | Azerbaijan | 8,200 | 1940s |
| Qadian | India | 50,000 | 1880s |
| Qadimah | Saudi Arabia | 2,500 | N/A |
| Qaidam Basin | China | N/A | N/A |
| Qairakkum | Tajikistan | 30,000 | 1956 |
| Qaisumah | Saudi Arabia | 25,000 | 1950s |
| Qal’at al-Bahrain | Bahrain | N/A | 2300 BC |
| Qala’at al-Bahrain | Bahrain | n/a | c. 2300 BCE |
| Qalat-e Dokhtar | Iran | N/A | 3rd century BC |
| Qalyub | Egypt | 161,000 | n/a |
| Qalyubia | Egypt | 4.7 million | n/a |
| Qalyubia Governorate | Egypt | 5,487,965 | N/A |
| Qamishli | Syria | 335,000 | 1926 |
| Qamsarakan | Armenia | 1,600 | N/A |
| Qandahar | Afghanistan | 614,118 | n/a |
| Qandil Mountains | Iraq/Iran | N/A | N/A |
| Qapqal | Kazakhstan | 25,000 | 1930s |
| Qara Qorum | Mongolia | N/A | 13th century |
| Qaraghandy | Kazakhstan | 447,000 | 1934 |
| Qaraghandy Region | Kazakhstan | 1,339,700 | N/A |
| Qarshi | Uzbekistan | 236,700 | 4th century |
| Qasigiannguit | Greenland | 1,251 | 1724 |
| Qasim | Saudi Arabia | N/A | N/A |
| Qasr Ibrim | Egypt | N/A | 8th century BC |
| Qau al-Kebir | Egypt | 31,000 | N/A |
| Qavadarci | North Macedonia | 28,300 | N/A |
| Qazvin | Iran | 381,598 | 13th century |
| Qena | Egypt | 230,000 | 7th century AD |
| Qeqertalik | Greenland | 1,022 | N/A |
| Qeqertarsuaq | Greenland | 1,028 | N/A |
| Qequm | Libya | N/A | 7th century BC |
| Qeshm | Iran | 120,000 | n/a |
| Qi | China | 80,000 | 1046 BC |
| Qian’an | China | 365,000 | 1954 |
| Qiangjing | China | 30,000 | 1946 |
| Qingdao | China | 9,046,200 | 1891 |
| Qinghai | China | 583,563 | 1928 |
| Qinghe | China | 700,000 | N/A |
| Qingla | Bhutan | 3,000 | 1910 |
| Qirghiz Yamanyar | Kyrgyzstan | 5,000 | 1924 |
| Qiryat Shemona | Israel | 23,000 | 1949 |
| Qita al-Bared | Lebanon | 31,000 | 1948 |
| Qom | Iran | 1,200,000 | 7th century AD |
| Quakertown | United States | 18,951 | 1849 |
| Quanzhou | China | 836,302 | 10th century |
| Quartz Hill | United States | 20,193 | 1940s |
| Quba | Azerbaijan | 32,000 | 19th century |
| Quebec City | Canada | 531,902 | 1608 |
| Queenstown | New Zealand | 15,250 | 1863 |
| Quelimane | Mozambique | 193343 | 1501 |
| Quemado | Mexico | 3,200 | 1960s |
| Quepos | Costa Rica | 20,000 | N/A |
| Queretaro | Mexico | 626208 | 1531 |
| Quetta | Pakistan | 1,001,205 | 1595 |
| Quetzaltenango | Guatemala | 225,000 | 1524 |
| Quezaltenango | Guatemala | 225,000 | 16th century |
| Quiapo | Philippines | 271,000 | 1589 |
| Quillota | Chile | 75,000 | 1717 |
| Quimper | France | 63,000 | before 5th century |
| Quincy | United States | 95,000 | 1640 |
| Quito | Ecuador | 1776821 | 1534 |
| Quno | Peru | N/A | pre-Inca |
| Qurayyat | Oman | 30,000 | before 7th century |
| Qusar | Azerbaijan | 18,000 | 1930s |
| Qusayr | Egypt | 36,000 | before 4th century BC |
| Quthing | Lesotho | 25,000 | 1880s |
Descriptions
Qaanaaq
Qaanaaq is the northernmost town in Greenland, situated on the Qaanaaq Peninsula near the Thule Air Base. It is known for its traditional Inuit culture and as a hub for scientific research in the Arctic region.
Qabala
Qabala is the ancient capital of Caucasian Albania, located in modern-day Azerbaijan. It was an important center of commerce and culture from the 1st century BC to the 7th century AD.
Qabaqchol
Qabaqchol is a city in northwestern Azerbaijan, known for its historic architecture and as a center of carpet-weaving and pottery production.
Qadian
A city in Punjab, India, known as the birthplace and spiritual center of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. It is home to the Masjid Aqsa mosque and the Mahmud Mosque, important sites for Ahmadi Muslims.
Qadimah
A small town in southwestern Saudi Arabia, located in the ‘Asir Mountains and known for its traditional mud-brick architecture and proximity to scenic hiking trails.
Qaidam Basin
A large endorheic basin in northwest China, known for its vast salt flats, oil and gas reserves, and rare earth mineral deposits. The basin is considered one of the harshest environments in China with extreme temperatures and low precipitation.
Qairakkum
A city in northern Tajikistan, located on the Syr Darya River. It is known for its hydroelectric power station, which is one of the largest in Central Asia, and its role in the region’s agricultural development.
Qaisumah
A city in northeastern Saudi Arabia, situated in the Rub’ al Khali desert. It serves as a major military base and is home to King Khalid Military City, one of the largest military complexes in the world.
Qal’at al-Bahrain
Qal’at al-Bahrain is an ancient capital and harbor of the Dilmun civilization, located on the island of Bahrain. It was an important trading hub from the 3rd millennium BC to the 16th century AD.
Qala’at al-Bahrain
Qala’at al-Bahrain is an archaeological site in Bahrain, which was once the capital of the ancient Dilmun civilization. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains the remains of a fortified city that thrived from the 3rd millennium BCE to the 16th century CE.
Qalat-e Dokhtar
Qalat-e Dokhtar is an ancient fortress in Iran, built during the Parthian Empire in the 3rd century BC. It features impressive stone walls and towers overlooking the Kura River.
Qalyub
Qalyub is a city in northern Egypt, situated along the Nile Delta. It is an important agricultural center, known for its production of cotton, rice, and other crops, as well as its traditional handicrafts and pottery.
Qalyubia
Qalyubia is a governorate in northern Egypt, located in the Nile Delta region. It is known for its fertile agricultural lands, as well as its historical sites such as the ancient city of Bubastis and the Coptic monasteries of Wadi Natrun.
Qalyubia Governorate
A governorate in northern Egypt, located north of Cairo and known for its fertile agricultural lands, historical sites like the Pharaonic city of Heliopolis, and the Nile Delta region.
Qamishli
Qamishli is a city in northeastern Syria, near the border with Turkey. It is a multi-ethnic city, with a significant Kurdish population, and is known for its ancient history, cultural heritage, and as a hub for regional trade and commerce.
Qamsarakan
A small village in central Armenia, known for its well-preserved medieval fortress and the nearby Garni Temple, a Greco-Roman pagan temple dating back to the 1st century AD.
Qandahar
Qandahar, also known as Kandahar, is a historic city in southern Afghanistan. It was once the capital of the Durrani Empire and is known for its strategic importance, as well as its rich cultural heritage, including the Shrine of the Cloak, which is believed to contain a relic of the Prophet Muhammad.
Qandil Mountains
A rugged mountain range straddling the border between Iraq and Iran, known as a stronghold for Kurdish separatist groups and for its remote, inaccessible terrain.
Qapqal
A city in southeastern Kazakhstan, located in the Almaty Region. It is known for its agricultural production, particularly of fruits and vegetables, and its role as a transportation hub connecting Kazakhstan to neighboring countries.
Qara Qorum
The former capital of the Mongol Empire, located in central Mongolia. The city was a major center of trade, culture, and political power during the height of the Mongol Empire in the 13th century.
Qaraghandy
Qaraghandy is a major city in central Kazakhstan, known for its coal mining industry and as a center of Kazakh culture and education.
Qaraghandy Region
A region in central Kazakhstan, known for its rich coal deposits, heavy industry, and the city of Qaraghandy, a major industrial and cultural center in the country.
Qarshi
A city in southern Uzbekistan, known for its historical significance as a key stop on the Silk Road trade route. It is home to several important architectural and archaeological sites, including the Kakhkaha Palace and the ancient city of Nasaf.
Qasigiannguit
A town in western Greenland, located on the coast of Disko Bay. It is known for its fishing industry, particularly the harvesting of shrimp and cod, and its role as a hub for transportation and logistics in the region.
Qasim
A region in central Saudi Arabia, known for its agricultural production and the city of Buraydah, which serves as its capital. The region is a major producer of dates, citrus fruits, and other agricultural products.
Qasr Ibrim
Qasr Ibrim is an archaeological site in Egypt, once an ancient city and fortress that controlled trade along the Nile River from the 8th century BC to the 16th century AD.
Qau al-Kebir
A city in central Egypt, located on the Nile River. It is known for its ancient archaeological sites, including the ruins of a Ptolemaic-era temple and the remains of a Coptic monastery.
Qavadarci
A city in central North Macedonia, known for its wine production and as the center of the Tikve? wine region. It is also an important agricultural center, producing a variety of fruits and vegetables.
Qazvin
A city in northern Iran, known for its historical significance as the capital of the Safavid dynasty in the 16th and 17th centuries. It is also an important center of commerce, education, and culture, with numerous historical monuments and architectural landmarks.
Qena
Qena is a city in southern Egypt, known for its Coptic Christian heritage and as a center of agricultural production along the Nile River.
Qeqertalik
A municipality in western Greenland, located on the coast of Disko Bay. It is known for its fishing industry, particularly the harvesting of shrimp and halibut, and its role as a transportation hub in the region.
Qeqertarsuaq
A town in western Greenland, located on the island of Disko. It is known for its scenic natural setting, including the nearby Disko Bay and the Lyngmark Glacier, as well as its role as a hub for tourism and scientific research in the region.
Qequm
Qequm is an ancient Berber city in Libya, founded in the 7th century BC as a trading post along the trans-Saharan caravan routes.
Qeshm
Qeshm is an island in the Persian Gulf, off the southern coast of Iran. It is known for its unique natural landscapes, including the Hara Biosphere Reserve, which is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, as well as its traditional fishing and shipbuilding industries.
Qi
An ancient capital of the Song dynasty, Qi was a major center of commerce and culture in medieval China. It’s known for its well-preserved historic architecture and the nearby ruins of the Song imperial palace.
Qian’an
A prefecture-level city in Hebei province, Qian’an is an important industrial and transportation hub. It’s home to the historic Tianhui Pagoda and the Tianjiao Mountain scenic area.
Qiangjing
Qiangjing is a county-level city in China’s Sichuan province, known for its scenic natural landscapes and as a hub for agriculture and forestry.
Qingdao
A major port city in eastern China, known for its iconic skyline, scenic coastline, and as the home of Tsingtao Brewery, one of the largest beer producers in China. It is also an important center of industry, finance, and tourism.
Qinghai
The capital of Qinghai province, Qinghai is a significant political, economic, and cultural center in western China. It’s known for its Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and the nearby Qinghai Lake, the largest salt lake in China.
Qinghe
A district in the city of Tianjin, China, known for its high-tech industries, including electronics, biotechnology, and new energy technologies. It is also home to several universities and research institutions, making it an important center of innovation and education.
Qingla
The capital of Bhutan’s Drujegang Gewog district, Qingla is a small town nestled in the Himalayan mountains. It’s known for its traditional Bhutanese architecture and the Drujegang Nunnery, an important Buddhist pilgrimage site.
Qirghiz Yamanyar
A small village in Kyrgyzstan’s Jalal-Abad region, Qirghiz Yamanyar is notable for its well-preserved traditional Kyrgyz architecture and its role as a cultural center for the local Kyrgyz community.
Qiryat Shemona
Qiryat Shemona is a city in northern Israel, established in 1949 as a development town to absorb Jewish immigrants and refugees.
Qita al-Bared
Qita al-Bared is a Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon, established in 1948 to host Palestinian refugees displaced by the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Qom
Qom is a holy city in Iran, known as a center of Shia Islamic learning and pilgrimage due to the shrine of Fatimah Ma’s?mah, the sister of the 8th Shia Imam.
Quakertown
A borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Quakertown is a historic town known for its well-preserved 19th-century architecture and its vibrant arts and culture scene. It’s a popular destination for antique shopping and outdoor recreation.
Quanzhou
A city in southeastern China, located in the Fujian province. It is known for its historical significance as a major port and trading center during the Song and Yuan dynasties, as well as its well-preserved historical landmarks and cultural heritage.
Quartz Hill
A city in Los Angeles County, California, known for its suburban residential development and as a hub for high-tech industries, including aerospace and defense. It is also home to several parks and recreational areas, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Quba
Quba is a city in northern Azerbaijan, known for its historic architecture, carpet-weaving traditions, and as the center of the Quba Khanate from the 18th to 19th centuries.
Quebec City
The capital city of the Canadian province of Quebec, known for its well-preserved historical landmarks, including the Citadel and the Old Town, which are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also a center of French-Canadian culture and a popular tourist destination.
Queenstown
A resort town in the South Island of New Zealand, known for its stunning natural scenery, outdoor recreation activities, and as the birthplace of commercial bungy jumping. It is a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists.
Quelimane
A port city in central Mozambique on the Bons Sinais River. An important commercial center and transportation hub, with a colonial-era downtown and proximity to the Zambezi Delta.
Quemado
Quemado is a town in the Mexican state of Zacatecas, known for its colonial-era architecture and as a hub for agriculture and livestock farming.
Quepos
A town on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, known as the gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the country’s most popular and biodiverse protected areas. It is also a hub for ecotourism and outdoor activities, such as surfing, fishing, and hiking.
Queretaro
A colonial-era city in central Mexico, known for its well-preserved historic center, elegant plazas, and thriving arts and cultural scene. Home to universities, tech companies, and the landmark Aqueduct of Quer�taro.
Quetta
The capital city of the Balochistan province in Pakistan, known for its strategic location near the border with Afghanistan and Iran. It is an important hub for trade and transportation, as well as a center of culture, education, and tourism in the region.
Quetzaltenango
Also known as ‘Xela,’ Quetzaltenango is the second-largest city in Guatemala and a hub of Mayan culture. It’s known for its well-preserved colonial architecture, vibrant indigenous markets, and proximity to the stunning Fuentes Georginas hot springs.
Quezaltenango
Quezaltenango is the second-largest city in Guatemala, founded in the 16th century as a Spanish colonial settlement and now a center of Mayan culture and commerce.
Quiapo
Quiapo is a district in Manila, Philippines, known for its historic churches, markets, and as a center of Filipino culture and spirituality.
Quillota
Quillota is a city in central Chile, founded in the early 18th century as an agricultural and commercial center in the Aconcagua Valley.
Quimper
Quimper is a city in the Brittany region of France, with a historic city center dating back to the Middle Ages and a cathedral from the 13th century.
Quincy
Quincy is a city in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, known as the birthplace of two U.S. presidents (John Adams and John Quincy Adams) and for its historic architecture.
Quito
The capital and largest city of Ecuador, located high in the Andes mountains. Known for its well-preserved colonial old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as its vibrant arts and culture.
Quno
Quno is an ancient pre-Inca archaeological site in Peru, located in the Andes mountains and containing ruins of stone structures, terraces, and roads.
Qurayyat
Qurayyat is a coastal town in Oman, known for its historic fort, fishing harbor, and as a center of Omani culture and traditions dating back to before the 7th century AD.
Qusar
Qusar is a town in northern Azerbaijan, situated in the Caucasus Mountains and known for its alpine landscapes, traditional architecture, and as a center of Lezgin culture.
Qusayr
Qusayr is a coastal city in Egypt, with a history dating back to before the 4th century BC as a port and trading hub on the Red Sea.
Quthing
Quthing is a town in southern Lesotho, established in the 1880s as an administrative center and market town for the region.
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