Mongolia is a large, sparsely populated country in East and Central Asia between Russia and China. What is the capital city of Mongolia?

Introduction / Context:
This question evaluates your knowledge of Asian capitals by asking for the capital city of Mongolia. Mongolia is known for its vast steppe, nomadic traditions, and historical connection to the Mongol Empire. Its capital, Ulaanbaatar, is the main political and economic center of the country. Understanding this country capital pairing is important for general awareness and frequently appears in geography quizzes.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The country identified in the question is Mongolia, located between Russia and China.
You must choose the correct capital city from the options provided.
The options are Ulaanbaatar, Monaco, Maputo, and Kathmandu.
Each city name corresponds to a different country, but only one belongs to Mongolia.

Concept / Approach:
Ulaanbaatar is the capital and largest city of Mongolia, situated in the north central part of the country. It hosts government institutions, cultural landmarks, and the main transport hubs. Monaco is both a city and a small principality on the Mediterranean coast of Europe, Maputo is the capital of Mozambique in southern Africa, and Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal in South Asia. None of these other cities are located in Mongolia. Correctly matching Mongolia with Ulaanbaatar is the key to solving this question.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Observe that the question is about the capital city of Mongolia.Step 2: Recall that Ulaanbaatar is the capital of Mongolia and the largest urban center in the country.Step 3: Examine the other options and connect Monaco with the European microstate, Maputo with Mozambique, and Kathmandu with Nepal.Step 4: Eliminate Monaco, Maputo, and Kathmandu because they are capitals of other countries.Step 5: Select Ulaanbaatar as the correct answer, as it is the only city correctly associated with Mongolia.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consulting a map of Asia, you will find Mongolia positioned between Russia and China with Ulaanbaatar marked as its capital. Educational materials and travel guides also identify Ulaanbaatar as the main city where government offices, museums, and international connections are concentrated. Monaco, Maputo, and Kathmandu appear in very different regional contexts and never as part of Mongolian geography. This confirms that Ulaanbaatar is the correct capital city for Mongolia.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Monaco is the capital and only city of the Principality of Monaco, a tiny European state on the Mediterranean Sea. Maputo is the capital of Mozambique, a country in southeastern Africa on the Indian Ocean. Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal, a Himalayan country in South Asia. None of these cities is located in Mongolia or serves as its capital. Therefore, these options are incorrect in this question.

Common Pitfalls:
Because Mongolia is less densely populated and less frequently covered in basic media compared to some other countries, learners may confuse it with neighboring or unrelated capitals. Another pitfall is to confuse the similar sounding names Ulaanbaatar and Kathmandu because both belong to landlocked Asian countries. To avoid such confusion, it helps to visualize Mongolia's steppe landscape and connect it mentally with Ulaanbaatar, while associating Kathmandu with Himalayan mountains and Nepal. Practicing such associations with maps and flashcards improves retention.

Final Answer:
The capital city of Mongolia is Ulaanbaatar.