From quaint and compact to sprawling and vibrant, these capital cities are some of the world's most well-known. But a change of perspective shows them in a completely different light. Take our quiz and find out how many of these world capitals you can guess from the air.

At a juncture connecting 12 different avenues, a 19th-century monument in the centre is one of the most famous attractions in this European capital.

One of the most visited cities in the world, Paris is home to more than two million people. It's not only the French capital but is largely regarded as one of the most significant art, fashion, gastronomy and culture centres in the world. One of its most famous monuments, officially called Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile, commemorates the French soldiers who fought and died in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.

Deemed the world's busiest pedestrian crossing, you'll find it in an Asian capital, home to almost 10 million residents.

One of the world's biggest metropolises, Japan's busy capital is a city that combines neon-lit, ultra-modern skyscrapers with traditional and historic temples. With an incredible dining scene and 12 distinctly different neighbourhoods and districts, there's much to love about Tokyo. The busy intersection pictured is Shibuya Crossing.

A capital with a complicated and multi-layered history, it's now one of the most popular destinations in Europe. Pictured is a famous avenue, surrounded by the city's largest park.

Germany's capital Berlin is packed with both history and culture everywhere you look. Stories of the country's past are reflected in landmarks such as the East Side Gallery (the remains of the Berlin Wall) as well as Checkpoint Charlie (a historic crossing point between former East and West Germany). The Brandenburg Gate (pictured), one of the city's most famous sights, is regarded as a symbol of Europe's tumultuous history as well as unity and peace across the region.

One of the world's ancient capitals, this city has a history spanning more than 28 centuries. It's also unique as it includes the world's smallest country within its borders.

Bursting with ancient monuments and picturesque piazzas, Rome’s historic core must be one of the world’s most beautiful. The Vatican Museums, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Roman Forum are among the most sought-after sights. There's also lots of charm in sipping a Campari in one of the city's squares, like Piazza Navona (pictured).

With 32 boroughs making up this incredible city, it feels a lot like several cities in one. Here, one of the capital's most famous and popular shopping destinations is pictured.

The saying goes, if you're tired of London, you're tired of life. The UK capital has it all. South Bank offers scenic views of the River Thames; in the City, a mix of historic buildings, like the Bank of England, exist in harmony with towering skyscrapers; and Greenwich's historic streets and regal buildings feel like stepping back in time. Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Trafalgar Square are just some of London's most famous landmarks but none capture the buzz of the city quite like Oxford Circus (pictured). Can you guess more UK landmarks from their close-ups?

Located on a grand neo-Gothic building that houses the nation's parliament, this clock also overlooks a popular canal that's filled with boats in summer and ice skaters in winter.

Canada's capital really comes into its own in winter when the frozen Rideau Canal becomes a natural ice skating rink. The city is also home to one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world and has 14 major museums, including the most visited museum in all of Canada – the Canadian Museum of Civilization. The city also hosts as many as 35 major festivals throughout the year, including the Canadian Tulip Festival and Winterlude.

This relatively small capital is best known for its unique architecture and canals as well as cycling. The city claims to have more than 1,200 bridges.

The Dutch capital conjures images of tightly packed gabled houses lining the city's network of canals and cyclists who rule the streets. Amsterdam oozes a cool, modern vibe. The food scene is top-notch, ranging from beer bars to upscale dining experiences. The city is also home to one of Europe's most celebrated museums – the Rijksmuseum. Now take a look at Europe's most adorable small towns and villages.

Capital of the Land of Smiles, this city is known for its ornate temples and street food. It's also a popular destination for backpackers who use it as a gateway to the rest of the region.

Buzzing and incredibly beautiful, Thailand's capital has a lot to offer. From the gilded towers of the Grand Palace, a former royal residence at the heart of the city, to its many markets, there's something for everyone. Bangkok's business district is packed with modern skyscrapers, luxury hotels and fine dining restaurants, while Khao San Road in the old city has been a gathering spot for backpackers since the 1970s.

Defined by cool street art, colourful homes and vintage trams, this European capital also attracts visitors with excellent seafood and scrumptious custard tarts.

From the breathtaking Belém Tower to the stunning Castelo de São Jorge, Lisbon has a variety of sights. Past the historic old town squares and avenues lie a charming selection of modern Portuguese restaurants as well as long-running establishments and bars. Easily reached from Lisbon is the fairy-tale Pena Palace – a multi-coloured 19th-century castle in the town of Sintra. Discover amazing images of Earth's most colourful natural wonders here.

This city hasn't always been the capital of this huge nation. The clock is part of a historic complex that forms the heart of the city.

Russia's capital is a huge cosmopolitan metropolis, combining suburban areas frozen in time, an ultra-modern business district and historic treasures. No location in Moscow is more symbolic of the city than the Kremlin, a walled complex containing five palaces and four cathedrals that now serve as the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation. Standing opposite the Kremlin is the ornate St Basil's Cathedral – one of Russia's most recognisable buildings.

Nicknamed the City of a Hundred Spires, this capital is famous for a medieval astronomical clock that still works.

Easy to navigate, the Czech capital is a delight and no location is more charming than the Gothic Charles Bridge – finished in the 15th century, it's often regarded among Europe's most beautiful bridges. It's impossible to talk about Prague without mentioning its quaint Old Town and intriguing astronomical clock. Chiming since 1410, it still sounds every hour and is one of the oldest clocks in the world that's still operating.

A Scandinavian capital, this pretty city is known for its plentiful offering of cool boutiques and hip designer hotels.

Home to around 1.4 million people, Helsinki is a bustling seaside city with a pretty harbour, a fantastic food scene and a plethora of saunas. Finland's capital has plenty to offer include the striking 19th-century Helsinki Cathedral and island-hopping. The Helsinki archipelago is made up of more than 300 islands, many of which are within easy reach of the city by taxi boat.

This city can be overwhelming at first. Home to almost nine million people, it's one of the most densely populated capitals in the world and is the most populous city in North America.

There is no end to Mexico City's charm. From leafy suburbs like Coyoacán and laid-back San Ángel to the excavated Aztec Templo Mayor, this cosmopolitan and beautiful place has lots to offer. The food scene is world-renowned and its famous Palacio de Bellas Artes (pictured) is one of the most significant cultural centres in the capital.

This temple, shaped like a lotus flower, is located in the second most populous country in the world.

Capital of India, New Delhi is a very distinct area in the larger city of Delhi. The official seat of all three branches of the Government of India, New Delhi's foundation stone was laid by George V in 1911 and the new capital was inaugurated in 1931. The city has several culturally and historically significant sights including the Rajghat, a memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, and the Lotus Temple (pictured).

Backed by a huge mountain range, this capital is a launch pad for many travellers looking to explore the country's incredible natural beauty.

From its clusters of colourful houses to the sculptural drama of Hallgrímskirkja (a parish church), Reykjavík is one of a kind. Apart from its famous church, most of the city is low-rise, making Mount Esja – usually dusted with snow well into the warmer months – an even more impressive presence across the water. 

With the snow-capped Andes looming over the city, this capital is one of the largest in the whole continent. It's named after the biblical figure St James.

Also called Santiago de Chile, the Chilean capital is at the centre of the country's most densely populated region. A cultural, political and financial centre of Chile, Santiago is particularly notable for its 19th-century inspired downtown. Some of the city's most important landmarks include the Sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception on San Cristóbal Hill, which is the principal place of worship for Chile's Catholics, and the picturesque Plaza de Armas (pictured).

Capital of the world's most populous country, this city's history stretches back three millennia. It's now home to more than 21 million people.

The world's most populated capital city, Beijing is a multi-faceted place with ultra-modern skyscrapers, historic monuments and an incredible food scene. Among the city's most popular spots is the Forbidden City. A national museum that was once home of the Emperor of China, it's the country's best-preserved imperial palace and the largest ancient palatial structure in the world. Take another quiz: can you guess these world-famous landmarks from their close-ups? 

Often regarded as one of the most significant historic cities in South America, this capital can trace its history as far back as 2,000 BC. It also has one of the largest, least-altered and best-preserved historic centres in the Americas.

Ecuador's capital Quito sits high in the Andean foothills and is famous for its stunning and well-preserved historic architecture, as well as the equatorial line that crosses it. Split between the northern and southern hemispheres, the capital celebrates its unique location with the Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (pictured) – a 98-foot (30m) monument marking the equatorial line. Learn more about the stories behind the world's most historic cities here.

This capital is only the eighth largest city in the country and was specifically built as the seat of the government when the nation was formed.

A city of just under 400,000 people, Canberra was purposefully chosen and developed as the Australian capital. There had been a long-running dispute between Sydney and Melbourne, regarding which city should be the nation's capital, so it was decided an entirely new capital would be chosen. Canberra's most famous sights include the Australian War Memorial, the National Gallery of Australia, the National Library of Australia and the distinctive Parliament House (pictured). Take a look at Australia's most stunning natural wonders here.

A capital city synonymous with politics, it's also famous for its museums and historically significant buildings.

Capital of the United States, Washington DC's most famous feature is the National Mall which includes the Reflecting Pool, the Washington Monument and the US Capitol. Built at the start of the 20th century, the Lincoln Memorial (pictured) is dedicated to the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. The Mall is flanked by Smithsonian Museums on both sides and also includes several other significant monuments like the National World War II Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Now see if you can guess these American landmarks from their close-ups.