Countries, their capital cities and currencies are one of the most crucial topics, particularly in the General Awareness/Financial Awareness/Static General Knowledge section in various government competitive exams such as Bank, Insurance, SSC, Railways, PSC and other recruitment exams. These information are comprehensively covered under the Static GK part, in particular focusing on the names of the countries, their capital cities and official currencies.
This General Awareness/Financial Awareness/Static GK forms an integral part of almost all major government competitive exams. This part forms a significant portion in RBI Grade B Prelims Exam where 80 marks is dedicated to General Awareness/Financial Awareness. It is also crucial in exams such as SBI PO Mains Exam, SBI Clerk Mains Exam, IBPS PO Mains Exam, IBPS Clerk Mains Exam, IBPS RRB PO Mains Exam, IBPS RRB Clerk Exam, RBI Assistant Exam, SSC CGL Exam, SSC CHSL Exam and many other government competitive exams.
Scoring full marks in this section should be the ultimate aim of the competitive exam aspirants as this section include no complex calculations or formulae to memorise. But candidates should be very careful to prepare this section to the fullest extent possible to score the maximum marks without missing their marks.
Questions in this General Awareness/Static GK section are usually aimed to test the capacity of the exam candidates about their awareness about the global landscapes. By assessing the recent Bank, SSC, Railways and other PSC exams, it is imperative to not miss even a single mark in this crucial section. Given the rising competitiveness in major government recruitment exams, acing the General Awareness/Static GK section must remain your top-most priority as this would boost your scores to a considerable level giving the necessary leverage over your competitive peers.
Veranda RACE, as a part of our Static GK Series focusing on major government competitive exams, has prepared this article as a comprehensive blog post along with a downloadable PDF offering you a exhaustive list of major countries of the world, their capital cities and their official currencies. We’ve also come up with a novel approach to easily remember countries that have a common currency name and focused on important countries that have hit the headlines due to their geopolitical importance in current times.
Veranda RACE has brought you a list of 15 interesting facts about the world’s major countries, currencies and their capitals. Get on a exciting ride with us as we reveal in-depth insights and trivias. This would be an eye-opener for every aspirant before delving into studying countries, their capitals and currencies in detail.
There are a total of 193 member states officially recognised by the United Nations and admitted to UN membership by a decision of the UN General Assembly upon the recommendation of the United Nations Security Council. There are two Non-Member States namely The Holy See and the State of Palestine classified as observer states which contribute majorly during diplomatic dialogues.
Singapore occupied the top spot on the Henly Passport Index 2023 as the World’s Most Powerful Passport in 2023 offering visa-free travel access to 192 countries across the word. It was followed by Japan at the second place while India was ranked at the 80th place.
Barbados, an island country nestled in the eastern Caribbean region of the North America, became the world’s newest republic nation on 30 November 2021. Its government officially removed Queen Elizabeth II as the head of the state (400 years after it became a British colony) but will remain as with the Commonwealth. It transitioned from a parliamentary constitutional hereditary monarchy to a parliamentary republic with this move. Dame Sandra Mason was elected as the President of Barbados and now replaces the Queen of England as the head of state.
The Republic of South Sudan, a landlocked country in the eastern Central Africa, became the world’s youngest nation on 9 July 2011. It is also Africa’s 54th nation. In January 2011, its population voted in an historic referendum to separate from the rest of Sudan. With the city of Juba as its capital, South Sudan is considered the poorest nation in the world by the International Monetary Fund.
Venezuela became the country with the highest inflation in the world in 2023. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), there was a 360 per cent increase in consumer prices (estimated in 2023). The inflation rate in Venezuela is one of the highest in the world, although it is significantly lower than in 2018 (65,000 per cent). Venezuelans primarily use the US dollar, Euro, cryptocurrencies while resorting to bartering as a means to obtain goods and services while using less of Venezuelan Bolivar (its official currency).
Currently, the Euro (€) is the official currency of 20 out of 27 EU member countries which together constitute the Eurozone. Denmark is legally exempt from ever adopting the Euro as its official currency. Around 341 million people use it every day, making it the second most-used currency worldwide. Euro used as the common currency brought the elimination of exchange rate volatility, easy access to a large and monetarily unified European market and price transparency with it.
India joined the elite club of US Dollar, Euro, Sterling Pound and Japanese Yen, becoming the fifth currency in the world to have its own currency symbol. Udaya Kumar’s new symbol for the Indian rupee (₹) is a perfect blend of the Indian and Roman letters: a capital ‘R’ and Devanagari ‘ra’.
This symbol is taken from the Devanagari where the parallel lines at the top with white space between them make an allusion to the tricolour Indian flag. It also depicts an equality sign which symbolises the nation’s desire to reduce economic disparity.
UPI, launched by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in 2016, has surpassed 10 billion digital transactions in August 2023. In terms of value, August 2023 recorded over 15 lakh crores rupees worth of digital transactions conducted via the Unified Payments Interface. It accounts for over 75 per cent of all retail digital transactions in India and consists of 330 million unique users.
South Africa remains the only one country in the world with three capital cities —Pretoria (administrative capital), Cape Town (legislative capital) and Bloemfontein (judicial capital). Cape Town has the unique distinction of possessing more plant species than any other city in the world –1,500 plant species more than its nearest competitor La Paz (Bolivia) according to the City Nature Challenge.
La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia, located at an altitude of 3,640 metres above sea level is the highest capital city in the world. Hernando Siles Stadium, overlooking the Altiplano mountain range and located in La Paz, is the world’s most elevated stadium.
The Vatican City, a landlocked country situated on the western bank of the Tiber river, remains the world’s smallest country. It remains as the official seat of the Holy Pope of the Catholic Church since 1377. At present, nearly 75 per cent of The Vatican’s citizens are members of the Vatican’s clergy.
Kuwaiti Dinar is the highest-valued currency in the world. Since its introduction in 1960, the Kuwaiti Dinar has been consistently ranking as the world’s most valuable currency. The economic stability of Kuwait is driven by the oil reserves and Kuwaiti tax-free system. These contribute to the high demand for the Kuwaiti Dinar.
Iran’s currency, the Iranian Rial, is the weakest currency in the world. The fall in the Iranian Rial’s value is due to the Revolution in Iran in 1979 that was followed by foreign investors’ withdrawal from Iranian economy. The nuclear programme of Iran and the war with its neighbour also played a huge part in Iran’s financial distress along with other political unrest.
The People’s Republic of China shares its international land border with 14 countries. Russia also shares its international land border with 14 other countries.
The Equator is the imaginary line on our Earth’s surface. It is also equidistant from the two poles of the Earth. This imaginary line divides the Earth into the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere. A total of 11 countries around the world lie on the Equator: Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Gabon, Republic of the Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Somalia, Sao Tome & Principe and Indonesia.
The table shown below offers a comprehensive list of countries along with their capitals, currencies and the continents to which they belong.
Countries, Capitals & Currencies of Asia | ||
Country | Capital | Currency |
Afghanistan | Kabul | Afghani |
Armenia | Yerevan | Armenian Dram |
Azerbaijan | Baku | Azerbaijanian Manat |
Bahrain | Manama | Bahraini Dinar |
Bangladesh | Dhaka | Taka |
Bhutan | Thimphu | Ngultrum |
Brunei | Bander Seri Begawan | Brunei Dollar |
Cambodia | Phnom Penh | Riel |
China | Beijing | Renminbi/Yuan |
Cyprus | Nicosia | Euro |
Georgia | Tbilisi | Lari |
India | New Delhi | Indian Rupee |
Indonesia | Jakarta | Indonesian Rupiah |
Iran | Tehran | Iranian Rial |
Iraq | Baghdad | Iraqi Dinar |
Israel | Tel Aviv / Jerusalem (Unrecognised by most countries) | Israeli Shekel |
Japan | Tokyo | Japanese Yen |
Jordan | Amman | Jordanian Dinar |
Kazakhstan | Astana | Tenge |
Kuwait | Kuwait City | Kuwaiti Dinar |
Kyrgyzstan | Bishkek | Som |
Laos | Vientiane | Kip |
Lebanon | Beirut | Lebanese Pound |
Malaysia | Kuala Lumpur | Malaysian Ringgit |
Myanmar | Naypyidaw | Kyat |
Nepal | Kathmandu | Nepalese Rupee |
North Korea / Democratic People’s Republic of Korea | Pyongyang | Won |
Oman | Muscat | Omani Rial |
Pakistan | Islamabad | Pakistani Rupee |
Philippines | Manila | Philippine Peso |
Qatar | Doha | Qatari Rial |
Russia | Moscow | Russian Ruble |
Saudi Arabia | Riyadh | Saudi Riyal |
Singapore | Singapore | Singapore Dollar |
South Korea / The Republic of Korea | Seoul | Won |
Sri Lanka | Sri Jayewardenepura Kote | Sri Lankan Rupee |
Syria | Damascus | Syrian Pound |
Tajikistan | Dushanbe | Tajikistani Somoni |
Thailand | Bangkok | Thai Baht |
Timor-Leste | Dili | United States Dollar |
Turkey | Ankara | Turkish Lira |
Turkmenistan | Ashgabat | Turkmenistani Manat |
United Arab Emirates | Abhu Dhabi | Dirham |
Uzbekistan | Tashkent | Uzbekistan Som |
Vietnam | Hanoi | Vietnamese Dong |
Yemen | Sana’a | Yemeni Rial |
Countries, Capitals & Currencies of Europe | ||
Country | Capital | Currency |
Albania | Tirana | Albanian Lek |
Andorra | Andorra La Vella | Euro |
Austria | Vienna | Euro |
Belarus | Minsk | Belarusian Ruble |
Belgium | Brussels | Euro |
Bosnia & Herzegovina | Sarajevo | Bosnia-Herzegovina Convertible Mark |
Bulgaria | Sofia | Bulgarian Lev |
Croatia | Zagreb | Croatian Kuna |
Czech Republic | Prague | Czech Koruna |
Denmark | Copenhagen | Danish Krone |
Estonia | Tallinn | Euro |
Finland | Helsinki | Euro |
France | Paris | Euro |
Germany | Berlin | Euro |
Greece | Athens | Euro |
Hungary | Budapest | Hungarian Forint |
Iceland | Reykjavik | Iceland Krona |
Ireland | Dublin | Euro |
Italy | Rome | Euro |
Latvia | Riga | Euro |
Liechtenstein | Vaduz | Swiss Franc |
Lithuania | Vilnius | Euro |
Luxembourg | Luxembourg | Euro |
Malta | Valletta | Euro |
Moldova | Chisinau | Moldovan Leu |
Monaco | Monaco | Euro |
Montenegro | Podgorica | Euro |
Netherlands | Amsterdam | Euro |
North Macedonia | Skopje | Macedonian Denar |
Norway | Oslo | Norwegian Krone |
Poland | Warsaw | Polish Zloty |
Portugal | Lisbon | Euro |
Romania | Bucharest | Romanian Leu |
San Marino | San Marino | Euro |
Serbia | Belgrade | Serbian Dinar |
Slovakia | Bratislava | Euro |
Slovenia | Ljubljana | Euro |
Spain | Madrid | Euro |
Sweden | Stockholm | Swedish Krona |
Switzerland | Bern | Swiss Franc |
Ukraine | Kiev | Hryvnia |
United Kingdom | London | Pound Sterling |
Vatican City | Vatican City | Euro |
Countries, Capitals & Currencies of North America | ||
Country | Capital | Currency |
Antigua & Barbuda | St. John’s | East Caribbean Dollar |
Bahamas | Nassau | Bahamian Dollar |
Barbados | Bridgetown | Barbados Dollar |
Belize | Belmopan | Belize Dollar |
Canada | Ottawa | Canadian Dollar |
Costa Rica | San Jose | Costa Rican Colon |
Cuba | Havana | Cuban Peso |
Dominica | Roseau | East Caribbean Dollar |
Dominican Republic | Santo Domingo | Dominican Peso |
El Salvador | San Salvador | United States Dollar |
Grenada | Saint George’s | East Caribbean Dollar |
Guatemala | Guatemala | Quetzal |
Haiti | Port-au-Prince | Gourde |
Honduras | Tegucigalpa | Lempira |
Jamaica | Kingston | Jamaican Dollar |
Mexico | Mexico City | Mexican Peso |
Nicaragua | Managua | Nicaraguan Cordoba |
Panama | Panama | Panama Balboa / United States Dollar |
Saint Kitts & Nevis | Basseterre | East Caribbean Dollar |
Saint Lucia | Castries | East Caribbean Dollar |
Saint Vincent & the Grenadines | Kingstown | East Caribbean Dollar |
Trinidad & Tobago | Port of Spain | Trinidad & Tobago Dollar |
United States of America | Washington D.C | United States Dollar |
Countries, Capitals & Currencies of Australia & Oceania | ||
Country | Capital | Currency |
Australia | Canberra | Australian Dollar |
Fiji | Suva | Fiji Dollar |
Kiribati | Tarawa | Australian Dollar |
Marshall Islands | Majuro | United States Dollar |
Micronesia | Palikir | United States Dollar |
Nauru | Yaren | Australian Dollar |
New Zealand | Wellington | New Zealand Dollar |
Palau | Koror | United States Dollar |
Papua New Guinea | Port Moresby | Kina |
Samoa | Apia | Tala |
Solomon Islands | Honiara | Solomon Islands Dollar |
Tonga | Nuku’alofa | Tongan Pa’anga |
Tuvalu | Funafuti | Australian Dollar |
Vanuatu | Port Vila | Vatu |
Countries, Capitals & Currencies of South America | ||
Country | Capital | Currency |
Argentina | Buenos Aires | Argentine Peso |
Bolivia | La Paz / Sucre | Boliviano |
Brazil | Brasilia | Brazilian Real |
Chile | Santiago | Chilean Peso |
Colombia | Bogota | Colombian Peso |
Ecuador | Quito | United States Dollar |
Guyana | Georgetown | Guyana Dollar |
Paraguay | Asuncion | Guarani |
Peru | Lima | Sol |
Suriname | Paramaribo | Suriname Dollar |
Uruguay | Montevideo | Peso |
Venezuela | Caracas | Venezuelan Bolivar |
Countries, Capitals & Currencies of Africa | ||
Country | Capital | Currency |
Algeria | Algiers | Algerian Dollar |
Angola | Luanda | Kwanza |
Benin | Porto-Novo | West African CFA Franc |
Botswana | Gaborone | Pula |
Burkina Faso | Ouagadougou | West African CFA Franc |
Burundi | Bujumbura | Burundi Franc |
Cape Verde | Praia | Cape Verdean Escudo |
Cameroon | Yaoundé | West African CFA Franc |
Central African Republic | Bangui | West African CFA Franc |
Chad | N’Djamena | West African CFA Franc |
Comoros | Moroni | Comoro Franc |
Congo | Brazzaville | West African CFA Franc |
Democratic Republic of the Congo | Kinshasa | Congolese Franc |
Djibouti | Djibouti | Djibouti Franc |
Egypt | Cairo | Egyptian Pound |
Equatorial Guinea | Malabo | West African CFA Franc |
Eritrea | Asmara | Nakfa |
Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) | Mbabane | Lilangeni |
Ethiopia | Addis Ababa | Ethiopian Birr |
Gabon | Libreville | West African CFA Franc |
Gambia | Banjul | Dalasi |
Ghana | Accra | Ghana Cedi |
Guinea | Conakry | Guinea Franc |
Guinea-Bissau | Bissau | West African CFA Franc |
Ivory Coast (Republic of Cote d’Ivoire) | Yamoussoukro | West African CFA Franc |
Kenya | Nairobi | Kenyan Shilling |
Lesotho | Maseru | Loti |
Liberia | Monrovia | Liberian Dollar |
Libya | Tripoli | Libyan Dinar |
Madagascar | Antananarivo | Ariary |
Malawi | Lilongwe | Malawi Kwacha |
Mali | Bamako | West African CFA Franc |
Mauritania | Nouakchott | Ouguiya |
Mauritius | Port Louis | Mauritius Rupee |
Morocco | Rabat | Moroccan Dirham |
Mozambique | Maputo | Metical |
Namibia | Windhoek | Namibian Dollar |
Niger | Niamey | West African CFA Franc |
Nigeria | Abuja | Nigerian Naira |
Rwanda | Kigali | Rwandan Franc |
Sao Tome & Principe | Sao Tome | Dobra |
Senegal | Dakar | West African CFA Franc |
Seychelles | Victoria | Seychelles Rupee |
Sierra Leone | Freetown | Leone |
Somalia | Mogadishu | Somali Shilling |
South Africa | Pretoria (Administrative) Cape Town (Legislative) Bloemfontein (Judiciary) | South African Rand |
South Sudan | Juba | South Sudanese Pound |
Sudan | Khartoum | Sudanese Pound |
Tanzania | Dodoma | Tanzanian Shilling |
Togo | Lome | West African CFA Franc |
Tunisia | Tunis | Tunisian Dinar |
Uganda | Kampala | Ugandan Shilling |
Zambia | Lusaka | Zambian Kwacha |
Zimbabwe | Harare | Zimbabwe Dollar |
Embarking on this learning journey of government exam preparation can often feel exhausting and time consuming. During this challenging quest, Veranda RACE emerges as your steadfast learning companion for those delving into the complexities of global and financial affairs. Whether deciphering the intricacies and nuances of countries, capitals or currencies of the world, this article from Veranda RACE will serve as a ready reckoner towards grasping the necessary details to prepare for the Banking Mains Exam.
To supercharge your Bank exam preparation, we’ve attached the PDF version of this article from Veranda RACE to keep yourselves prepared for the Current Affairs part. Keep a keen eye over here for the latest updates for Bank PO, Bank Clerk, Bank SO, Insurance, SSC, TNPSC and other PSC exams from Veranda RACE.
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