EXPLORING THE WORLD

Many People Believe These 10 Huge Cities Are Their Countries' Capitals

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In quiz games, it's not uncommon to come across some tricky questions about world capitals. And it's no wonder: plenty of well-known first-rate cities, full of attractive landmarks and must-see sights, could be mistaken for capitals even if they are not. To give them back some of their lost glory, we have chosen 10 metropolises whose cultural, historical, and financial pre-eminence deserve to be spotlighted.

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The fact that Madrid is the capital of Spain is unquestionable. But did you know that Barcelona was the capital for a while? Throughout the history of the Spanish territory, the center of power moved to different cities until 1561, when Philip II decided to establish the court permanently in Madrid.

Today, Barcelona is the second most relevant Spanish city in terms of economic activity; its port is one of the most significant in the Mediterranean, and its proximity to the border with France makes it an important center of connection with the rest of the European Union. It is also a dynamic and creative city that preserves its traditional charm, which makes it a major tourist attraction.

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Located on the central coast of China, Shanghai is one of the most populated cities in the country. It is a financial hub and one of the most modern metropolises. However, it is not the capital of the Asian giant. Founded in 1291 at the mouth of the Yangtze River, its impressive skyscrapers dominate the landscape of a city that still retains much of the spirit of traditional China.

Visiting the Bund, the city's famous waterfront promenade, and enjoying the breathtaking views of the skyscrapers is one of the best things to do in Shanghai. Another option is to let yourself be tempted by the street food at the Yuyuan Market or learn about the country’s history by visiting the Shanghai Museum, one of the largest in China. You can explore it during the day or at night: Shanghai, like New York, is a city that never sleeps!

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If we talk about Brazil, Rio de Janeiro is the first city that comes to mind. The classic image of Christ the Redeemer with open arms on the Corcovado mountain overlooking the beautiful beaches below is unbeatable. Once upon a time, Rio was the capital of colonial Brazil and remained so until 1960, when the seat of government was moved to modern Brasilia.

Despite having lost its title of "capital", the Cidade Maravilhosa is the second most populated and second-largest economy after São Paulo. In addition, thanks to its rich cultural history and vibrant festivals, Rio has left an indelible mark on the minds and hearts of millions of people. In fact, its famous carnival is one of the most iconic events in the world, considered by many to be "the greatest party on the planet".

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Many foreigners are surprised that the city of Bern is the capital of Switzerland. They would more logically guess that this title is held by Zurich, the country's economic center, or Geneva, which houses the European headquarters of the United Nations and many international organizations. But it was precisely to avoid excessive concentration of power that Bern was chosen as the "federal city" in 1848.

The truth is that Zurich doesn't need to be the capital of Switzerland; it can brag about many other things. Among them, being the most populous city in the country and one of the cities with the highest quality of life in the world. Zurich combines urban life and breathtaking natural scenery with charm. Visitors will find a city that still retains traces of its 2,000 years of history, as well as a large number of world-class cultural gems distributed throughout vibrant neighborhoods full of art, design, and innovative cuisine.

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Despite being one of the few big cities in the world that is neither on the coast nor has a major river connecting it to the sea, Johannesburg is the largest city and financial center of South Africa, as well as one of the continent's major economic powers.

Mistakenly, it is considered the capital of South Africa. Actually, the Rainbow Nation has three official capitals, but none of them is Johannesburg —Pretoria is the seat of executive power, Cape Town is home to the National Parliament, and Bloemfontein is the judicial capital—.

Nicknamed the "City of Gold" for its past as a mining mecca, today Johannesburg is the epitome of a modern, cosmopolitan African city, where green prairies converge with different cultures and traditions from the continent and the world.

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Cartagena, a historic fortified city, is a fun and fascinating place to explore. In 1984, the city center and its fortifications were awarded the title of World Heritage Site by UNESCO. From its founding in the 16th century and throughout the Spanish viceroyalty, Cartagena was one of the most important ports in South America. In fact, most of its artistic and cultural heritage comes from this period.

While Cartagena may not be the capital, its mix of informal appeal, beachside charm, and urban vibrancy make it Colombia's most touristic city and the one that receives the most foreign visitors.

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Sydney is Australia's largest and most populous city. In addition, this metropolis is home to lush parks, soft sandy beaches, some of the world's most famous monuments, and iconic architectural landmarks such as the Opera House. However, it is not the country’s capital, as many people think. The capital is located in Canberra, about 185 miles from Sydney, and was specially designed in 1913 to house the parliament and government house.

Nowadays Sydney is Australia's main city for trade and finance, and connects the English-speaking world with Asia. Built on one of the most beautiful bays in the world, Sydney is one of the cities with the best reputation on the planet for being the most cosmopolitan and multi-ethnic city in Australia, for its great weather, and its cultural scene.

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Mumbai has a lot to boast about. It is not only the most populous city and financial center of India but also the cultural capital of the country, home to Bollywood and other culturally relevant institutions such as the National Centre for Performing Arts and the Prithvi Theater.

Despite not being the political capital, Mumbai has many points of interest. One of the most visited tourist attractions is the famous Gateway of India, an 85-foot high arch-monument, a symbol of the British colonial era. It is also not a bad idea to stroll along Marine Drive —a beautiful promenade overlooking the Arabian Sea— or feel like a true local getting lost in the markets of Colaba and Crawford.

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It may not be the capital, but if we are asked to name one Canadian city, Toronto is probably the first one that comes to mind. And it is not by chance: Toronto is the most famous, thriving, modern, and attractive city in Canada, a metropolis of over six million people that offers an open and friendly face to the world.

In addition to being the economic and financial center of the country, Toronto is the quintessential multicultural city. Its cosmopolitan nature and lively urban and cultural life are among its main features. Within a few miles, we can go from the Greek Quarter to the Portuguese Quarter, passing through Chinatown, Little Italy, or Koreatown. Toronto is a small world in itself that offers great cultural, linguistic, and gastronomic richness, all in one city.

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The city of Istanbul is so significant —both currently and historically— that many people believe it to be the capital of Turkey. They are not that wrong, since Istanbul was the capital from 1453 until 1923, when the Republic of Turkey was established and the territorial center was moved to Ankara. This change did not sit well with Istanbul at first, but from the 1950s onwards, it was modernized and continued to grow. Today, it is the most important city in the country and the most populous in Europe.

Istanbul is known for being one of the most beautiful and diverse cities in the world. Its grounds were home to the ancient cities of Byzantium and Constantinople, making it rich in culture and history. Split between the continents of Asia and Europe, Istambul is surrounded by palaces, museums, and mosques, such as the iconic Hagia Sophia, an ancient Christian basilica famous for its enormous dome that is said to have "changed the history of architecture".

ALL MYTHS HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE, RIGHT?

You Won’t Believe These 10 Myths Originated In Real People

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While most myths are based on fiction, some are based on real-life individuals. Greek, Egyptian, and medieval figures that once were thought to be inventions have turned out to be real people thanks to archaeological findings. So, scroll down and learn more about 10 larger-than-life characters that actually existed.

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Paris, the handsome Trojan prince from The Iliad who abducted Helen, was in fact a real person. The city of Troy was located on the west coast of Anatolia (modern Turkey), and it might have been known as Wilusa, during the Bronze Age.

A surviving treaty from this period was signed between a man named Alaksandu (which sounds very similar to Prince Paris's second name, Alexander) probably from Wilusa/Troy, and Muwatalli II of the Hittites. Also, other historical documents hint that Alaksandu lived in and ruled Troy/Wilusa.

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Since we are talking about Troy, Paris wasn't the only Trojan who might've been real; his father, King Priam, might have been a legitimate Trojan ruler. In the Late Bronze Age, the Hittites ran into some trouble with an individual named Piyaramadu, who was a rebel who took over Troy/Wilusa.

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The phrase "rich as Croesus" is used to describe a semi-legendary monarch who was extremely wealthy. But Croesus was a real sixth-century BC ruler of Lydia (in Anatolia), who was both rich and martial, conquering many Greek towns that were located in what is now Turkey.

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The Roman general Cincinnatus was a military man who only reluctantly assumed power when the Romans faced a dangerous rival group called the Aequi. They called Cincinnatus to defend them who, at the time, was busy working on his tiny farm outside the city.

After defeating the enemy in just one day, Cincinnatus remained in power long enough to ensure Rome was safe. As soon as the crisis ended, he went home and started farming again. The humility and courageous character of this general inspired George Washington.

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According to an ancient legend, the Assyrian queen Semiramis was the daughter of a goddess. She invented the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and became a prominent ruler in her own right.

This might seem a bit far-fetched but "Semiramis" was the Greek name for a real ancient Assyrian queen, Sammu-ramat, who lived in the 9th BC. This queen was the wife of King Shamshi-Adad V and the mother of King Adad-Nirari III, but also maintained a lot of power in her own right.

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Imhotep was a real-life person, who served as the Egyptian pharaoh Djoser’s architect, healer, and minister. He served as the pharaoh’s right hand and even helped design his famous step pyramid. His popularity was such that, eventually, he was deified and worshiped as a real god.

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Maybe he was not the legendary king who ripped a sword out of a stone or had a powerful magician at his side, but Arthur was a genuine historical figure leading the Roman-British against the invading Anglo-Saxons during the late 5th and early 6th centuries.

His involvement at the Battle of Badon, in particular, is supportable but also exemplifies the problematic nature of the historical narrative, recording he slew 960 men in battle, quite an impossible number.

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The incredible story of "Beauty and the Beast" might have been based on a real person, Petrus Gonsalvus, a young boy from the 16th century. Petrus suffered a severe case of hypertrichosis, a condition that causes a person to grow hair all over their body, often referred to as "werewolf syndrome."

Gonsalvus was 10 years old when he was sent to the King of France to operate as a court jester. Eventually, King Henry's wife, Catherine de Medici, found Gonsalvus a wife. Though it took some getting used to, the beauty fell in love with the "beast." They remained married for 40 years and had seven kids together, four of which also had hypertrichosis.

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According to Greek mythology, the Amazons were a race of legendary female warriors. This was disputed until modern archaeological discoveries gave new life to the claims. Believed to be descendants of Ares, the God of War, and Harmonia, the Goddess of Harmony, these women supposedly dedicated their lives to the perfection of martial prowess.

Recent archaeological findings have uncovered numerous burial sites of female Sarmatian warriors. With as many as twenty percent of all warrior tombs in the ancient territory containing women, this discovery has provided new impetus to believe in the Amazons as real historical individuals.

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One of the most supernatural characters in our list is based on a real-life individual. Count Dracula, the literary villain created by Bram Stoker was, at least partially, based on Vlad III, also known as Vlad Dracula, a Romanian prince who employed some gruesome tactics to defend his territory of Wallachia, a region south of Transylvania.

During his lifetime, Vlad was known for his enjoyment of torture and killing, reportedly impaling tens of thousands of enemies on stakes and then feasting among his victims.