Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Singapore
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This general knowledge question looks at a special pattern in world geography, where a country and its capital city share exactly the same name. Although most countries have capitals with different names, a few examples exist where the capital and the country are spelled identically. One of the best known examples is Singapore, where the capital city is also called Singapore. Understanding this pattern helps you answer questions that go beyond simple country capital lists and encourages you to think about naming conventions in geography.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
To solve this question, you must know the correct capital for each listed country and compare its spelling with the country name. Singapore is both a country and a city; its capital is often described simply as Singapore, matching the country name exactly. Mexico has the capital Mexico City, Guatemala has Guatemala City, and Panama has Panama City. In all three of these cases, the official capital city name includes the extra word City, making the capital name different from the country name. Therefore, only Singapore satisfies the requirement that the capital name and the country name are spelled exactly the same.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: List the capital cities of each country mentioned in the options.Step 2: For Singapore, note that the capital city is also called Singapore, with no additional word.Step 3: For Mexico, identify the capital as Mexico City, which adds the word City to the country name.Step 4: For Guatemala, identify the capital as Guatemala City, again including the extra word City.Step 5: For Panama, identify the capital as Panama City, which also does not match the country name exactly.Step 6: Conclude that only Singapore has a capital city name that is exactly the same as the country name, so Singapore is the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, consult a world capitals list or atlas. You will see that Singapore is a city state whose capital is described simply as Singapore. For Mexico, Guatemala, and Panama, you will see their capitals listed clearly as Mexico City, Guatemala City, and Panama City. These three capital names have two words, and the second word City changes the name so that it does not exactly equal the country name. Therefore, only Singapore meets the strict spelling condition stated in the question. This confirms that Singapore is the correct choice.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Mexico is not correct because its capital is Mexico City, which does not exactly match the country name Mexico. Guatemala is not correct because its capital is Guatemala City, again with an extra word. Panama is not correct for the same reason, as its capital is Panama City, not simply Panama. All three of these examples are close in appearance but do not satisfy the requirement that the capital name and country name be fully identical in spelling. Only Singapore meets this exact criteria.
Common Pitfalls:
A common trap in this type of question is to overlook the word City and assume that Mexico, Guatemala, or Panama qualify because the major part of the name is the same as the country. However, the question clearly requires exact spelling, which excludes capitals that add any extra words. Another pitfall is to forget that Singapore is both a country and a capital city. To avoid such mistakes, pay close attention to precise wording in the question and memorize city state examples like Singapore, Luxembourg, and Monaco, while also noting cases where the capital includes the word City. Precise reading and careful recall will help you handle similar questions correctly.
Final Answer:
The country whose capital city has exactly the same name as the country itself is Singapore.
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