What is the capital city of Portugal?

Introduction / Context:
Portugal is a European country located on the Iberian Peninsula, and its capital city is an important centre of culture, trade and tourism. Knowledge of European capitals is frequently tested in school exams and competitive general knowledge papers. This question asks you to identify the capital of Portugal from among several well known cities that actually belong to other countries.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The country in focus is Portugal.
• The options are Lisbon, Minsk, Vienna, Buenos Aires and Zurich.
• Exactly one of these cities is the correct capital of Portugal.
• All other cities are real but are capitals or major cities of different countries.

Concept / Approach:
Lisbon is the capital and largest city of Portugal. It is located on the western coast of the Iberian Peninsula along the Atlantic Ocean. Minsk is the capital of Belarus, Vienna is the capital of Austria, Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina and Zurich is a major Swiss city but not the capital (the capital of Switzerland is Bern). The approach is to recall which city is associated with Portugal or, alternatively, to match each incorrect city to its true country in order to eliminate them.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Portugal is a European country whose capital is Lisbon, a coastal city known for its historic neighbourhoods and port.Step 2: Identify that Minsk is the capital of Belarus in Eastern Europe, not Portugal.Step 3: Recognise that Vienna is the capital of Austria, famous for classical music and imperial architecture.Step 4: Note that Buenos Aires is the capital city of Argentina in South America.Step 5: Remember that Zurich, although an important financial centre, is not the capital of Switzerland; Bern serves as the federal capital.Step 6: Conclude that Lisbon is the only city in the list that correctly serves as the capital of Portugal.

Verification / Alternative check:
As a verification step, think of famous associations: Portuguese culture, Fado music and tram lined streets are often linked with Lisbon in travel guides and documentaries. Football fans may also know well known Portuguese clubs and stadiums located in Lisbon. Minsk is always mentioned with Belarus in Eastern European news, while Vienna appears in the context of Austria. Buenos Aires is clearly tied to Argentina through tango and South American culture, and Zurich appears in discussions about banking and Switzerland. These recognitions confirm that Lisbon is the Portuguese capital.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Minsk belongs to Belarus and cannot be the capital of Portugal. Vienna is the capital of Austria, so it also does not match. Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina, a completely different continent. Zurich, while a major city in Switzerland, is not the capital; this may be a trap option for people who assume the largest or best known city must be the capital. Therefore, all four of these options are incorrect for the country Portugal.

Common Pitfalls:
One common mistake is confusing capitals within Europe, especially when several famous cities come from the same region. Another pitfall is assuming that the best known or largest city is always the capital, as happens with Zurich and Switzerland or Istanbul and Turkey. To avoid confusion, regularly review a list of countries and capitals and pay special attention to less obvious pairs such as Portugal–Lisbon and Switzerland–Bern. This habit will help you avoid falling for typical exam traps.

Final Answer:
The capital city of Portugal is Lisbon.