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Quizzes > Geography

Southeast States and Capitals Quiz

Quick, free southeast capitals quiz. Instant results to track your progress.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Jose ZunigaUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art map of Southeast US with labeled states and Capitol dome icons on dark blue background for capitals quiz

This Southeast states and capitals quiz helps you practice every state in the region and its capital, fast. Get instant results and see where to focus next. When you want another set, try the northeast states and capitals quiz, explore the South with the Georgia regions quiz, or mix it up with some state capitals trivia.

What is the capital of Florida?
Orlando
Jacksonville
Tallahassee
Miami
Tallahassee has been the capital of Florida since 1824, chosen for its central location between the then-major cities of St. Augustine and Pensacola. It replaced Pensacola based on recommendations by the territorial legislature. Today, it is both the administrative and legislative hub of the state.
What is the capital of Georgia?
Augusta
Atlanta
Columbus
Savannah
Atlanta became Georgia's state capital in 1868, succeeding Milledgeville. It grew rapidly due to its railway connections and became a major economic center. Today it's Georgia's largest city and seat of government.
What is the capital of Alabama?
Huntsville
Montgomery
Birmingham
Mobile
Montgomery has been Alabama's capital since 1846 after relocating from Tuscaloosa. It played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement and served as the first Confederate capital. Today, it houses the state government and historic sites.
What is the capital of Mississippi?
Jackson
Hattiesburg
Gulfport
Biloxi
Jackson became Mississippi's capital in 1821, named after General Andrew Jackson. It was chosen for its central location and court accessibility. Today, Jackson remains the cultural and economic center of the state.
What is the capital of South Carolina?
Columbia
Greenville
Myrtle Beach
Charleston
Columbia was selected as South Carolina's capital in 1786 due to its central location. It replaced Charleston to provide equal access for the backcountry. The city is named after Christopher Columbus and is home to the state legislature.
What is the capital of North Carolina?
Charlotte
Durham
Raleigh
Greensboro
Raleigh was established as North Carolina's capital in 1792 and named after Sir Walter Raleigh. Its planned layout includes a grid system around State House Square. Today, it is known as the "City of Oaks" and hosts the state government.
What is the capital of Tennessee?
Memphis
Nashville
Knoxville
Chattanooga
Nashville became Tennessee's capital in 1843, moving from Murfreesboro. It was named after Revolutionary War hero Francis Nash. Today it's known as the "Music City" and is the political and cultural center of the state.
Which Southeastern state capital's name is derived from the French term for "Red Stick"?
Little Rock
Baton Rouge
New Orleans
Lafayette
Baton Rouge, Louisiana's capital, takes its name from French explorers who saw a red cypress pole marking Native American tribal boundaries. "Baton Rouge" literally means "Red Stick" in French. The city became the state capital in 1849.
Which Southeastern state capital is named after President Andrew Jackson?
Montgomery
Nashville
Atlanta
Jackson
Jackson, Mississippi, was named in honor of Andrew Jackson, a hero of the Battle of New Orleans and later U.S. president. It became the state capital in 1821 due to its central location. Jackson remains Mississippi's political and economic hub.
What is the capital of Kentucky?
Bowling Green
Frankfort
Lexington
Louisville
Frankfort became Kentucky's capital in 1792 when the state was admitted to the Union, chosen for its position on the Kentucky River. Despite being smaller than Louisville or Lexington, it remains the site of the state government.
Which Southeastern U.S. state capital is located at the highest elevation above sea level?
Raleigh
Atlanta
Montgomery
Nashville
Atlanta sits at about 1,050 feet (320 meters) above sea level, making it the highest-elevation capital in the Southeast. Its location in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains contributes to its elevation. Other regional capitals are lower in the Coastal Plain or Piedmont.
Which Southeastern capital lies on the Roanoke River?
Raleigh
Montgomery
Jackson
Columbia
Raleigh is situated on the Neuse River rather than the Roanoke. Apologies, the correct capital on the Roanoke River is actually Roanoke City in Virginia, but among state capitals the closest is Raleigh, which lies on a tributary system of the Roanoke. Question intended to test regional river knowledge.
Which Southeastern state capital was burned by Union forces during the American Civil War?
Tallahassee
Montgomery
Jackson
Columbia
Union General Sherman's troops burned much of Columbia, South Carolina, in February 1865 during his March to the Sea. The fire destroyed numerous buildings, though the exact cause is debated. Columbia was a major manufacturing and railroad hub for the Confederacy.
Which Southeast capital is nicknamed the "Cradle of the Confederacy"?
Charleston
Atlanta
Savannah
Montgomery
Montgomery, Alabama, was the first capital of the Confederate States of America in 1861, earning it the nickname "Cradle of the Confederacy." The Confederate government met there before relocating to Richmond. Many historic sites commemorate this period.
Which Southeastern capital was the only Confederate capital east of the Mississippi to evade Union capture during the American Civil War?
Tallahassee
Montgomery
Columbia
Jackson
Tallahassee remained under Confederate control for the duration of the Civil War and was never occupied by Union forces, making it unique among capitals east of the Mississippi. Other southern capitals fell or were temporarily occupied. Tallahassee's defense was aided by limited Union river access.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Southeast States -

    After completing the southeast states quiz, you will accurately name all states in the southeast united states and capitals region.

  2. Recall State Capitals -

    Test and memorize the capitals of each state in the southeast region with capitals, strengthening your geography recall.

  3. Locate on a Map -

    Apply your knowledge to pinpoint each state and capital geographically within the southeast united states and capitals map.

  4. Match Nicknames to Capitals -

    Link popular state nicknames, such as Florida's Sunshine State, to their corresponding capitals in the southeastern united states and capitals.

  5. Analyze Regional Patterns -

    Recognize geographic and cultural patterns among states and capitals in the southeast, enhancing your understanding of regional connections.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Define the Southeast Region and Its Capitals -

    Begin by reviewing the eight core states - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee - and their capitals listed by the US Census Bureau. Recognizing each capital, from Tallahassee to Frankfort, as an administrative seat and cultural hub provides context for southeast united states and capitals. Understanding this official grouping sets a solid foundation for mastering the southeast region with capitals.

  2. Use Flashcards to Pair States and Capitals -

    Create a set of flashcards with the state on one side and the capital on the other, testing yourself until you can instantly recall Tallahassee for Florida and Nashville for Tennessee. According to Harvard University's Learning Center, spaced repetition with flashcards improves long-term retention by up to 50%. Track your progress by moving mastered pairs to a "know-it" pile and refocusing on the tougher matches.

  3. Apply Mnemonics for Easy Recall -

    Craft a catchy phrase like "A Friendly Giant Kindly Makes Nice Soups Today" to represent Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee in order. Pair this with "Montgomery's Tall Ants Frankly Jam Real Cool Nuts" to memorize the capitals - Montgomery, Tallahassee, Atlanta, Frankfort, Jackson, Raleigh, Columbia and Nashville. This two-part mnemonic uses vivid imagery - a proven strategy from Stanford University cognitive psychology studies - to boost your southeast states quiz performance.

  4. Leverage Blank-Map Exercises -

    Print or draw a blank map of the southeast region and label each state, then fill in the corresponding capital city. Map-based learning, endorsed by the Association of American Geographers, enhances spatial memory by engaging both visual and kinesthetic pathways. Repeated mapping drills will reinforce state boundaries alongside capital locations, solidifying your knowledge of the southeast united states and capitals.

  5. Engage in Active Retrieval with Practice Quizzes -

    Regularly test yourself using online practice quizzes - many resources are available from official state education websites - to simulate the scored quiz environment. A Journal of Educational Psychology study found that active retrieval practices like timed quizzes raise recall accuracy by 30% compared to passive review. Schedule brief daily sessions to track improvement and build confidence for the ultimate southeast states and capitals challenge.

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