Difference between revisions of "Learn the Capitals of the World"

#Find the information. Pick a reputable book or website that list the capitals. You'll need the information to learn the capitals later on.<ref name="rf1">http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0855603.html</ref>

#* The most reputable sources are educational sources and government sources. Look for ".edu" and ".gov" at the end of the links. One source, run by the U.S. government, is the CIA World Factbook.<ref name="rf2">https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/</ref>

#Try writing it out by hand. Though writing out the capitals and countries by hand sounds tedious, it's actually a way to learn the information. In fact, writing them out over and over will reinforce the information in your mind. In addition, you'll have a copy of the information to use for review.<ref name="rf3">https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/happiness-in-world/200911/eight-ways-remember-anything</ref>

#* For instance, learning that Rome is the capital of Italy may not be that interesting to you. However, you might be more interested to learn that Rome contains a whole country inside the capital, the Vatican. The Vatican, which is the head of the Catholic Church, is officially its own country.<ref name="rf4">http://www.eupedia.com/italy/trivia.shtml</ref>

#* As another example, you might find it interesting to note that the capital of Mexico, Mexico City, was once a large lake. It began as city on an island built by the Aztecs that spread out across the lake, which was eventually conquered. The current city was built on top of the rubble from the original city, and the water was drained to other areas.<ref name="rf5">http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/01/travel/mexico-city-things-to-know/</ref>

#Use visual aids. Using visual cues to aid your learning is a tried-and-true method. Fortunately, with something geographical like world capitals, you've got the visual aids built right in.<ref name="rf3" />

#* Try printing off a blank map of the world, and write in the capitals and country names while looking at another map. Color in the map to help your visual memory. You can also draw in details related to the country, such as adding a picture of the country's flag or national flower.<ref name="rf3" />

#* Next, try filling in a new map without looking at another map.<ref name="rf3" />

#Try a mnemonic device. Mnemonic devices are tricks to help you remember or learn something. For instance, say you wanted to remember to get bananas, beef, and flour at the store. You might try visualizing a cow eating a banana with a sack of flour balanced on his head. More appropriately for world capitals, try making a visual map in your head, also known as the Method of Loci.<ref name="rf6">http://psychcentral.com/lib/memory-and-mnemonic-devices/</ref>

#* With this mnemonic device, you imagine a place you know and visualize items in that place. The items help you remember what you need to. If this method sounds good to you, try visualizing an item that reminds you of the capital and country. For instance, for London, England, you might think of a plate of fish and chips.<ref name="rf6" />

#* However, for world capitals, it might be better to imagine a world map. Visualize a world map in your head, large enough that you can stomp from country to country in one step. As you walk through the world, visualize the capital and name of each country.<ref name="rf6" />

#Use a rhyme or song. Rhymes and rhythms help things stick in your memory. That's why nursery rhymes and kids' songs are so easy to remember.<ref name="rf6" />

#* You could try singing the world capitals to a current popular tune, one that you already like a lot.<ref name="rf6" />

#* You could also try a world capital's song that's already out there, such as the expanded version of the Animaniacs' state capitals song that includes world capitals.<ref name="rf7">https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=136&v=RSzWdxm7Iso</ref>

#Have your friends quiz you. Studying with friends can make study time more fun and engaging, as long as you stay mostly on topic. Have your friends quiz you by asking you what world capital belongs with what country.<ref name="rf8">http://psychcentral.com/lib/top-10-most-effective-study-habits/?all=1</ref>

#* Keep your group small. Too many people can be distracting. Don't have more than 4 or 5 people in your study group.<ref name="rf8" />

#* Don't forget to return the favor and quiz your friends, too. It will also help reinforce the information for you, too, as you're still going over the material.<ref name="rf8" />

#Play geography games. Geography board games or online games can reinforce what you've learned. In addition, they make learning more fun, so you won't get as bored as easily.<ref name="rf9">http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Geography.htm</ref>

#* One place to quiz yourself on geography is Free Rice. Just be sure to select "World Capitals," which you'll find under "Geography" on the "Subjects" page.<ref name="rf10">http://freerice.com/#/world-capitals/13603</ref>

#* In addition to helping you learn the game, Free Rice also donates rice to people who are hungry.<ref name="rf11">http://freerice.com/about</ref>

#Keep reviewing. If you don't review what you've learned, you'll gradually lose it. If you don't want to forget your world capitals, continue to go over the material so it sticks with you.<ref name="rf12">http://faculty.bucks.edu/specpop/memory.htm</ref>