Europe Capitals Quiz
Think you know the capitals of Europe? Try this quick quiz before reading.
Oceania has 14 sovereign countries in the standard country-capital list used by most geography references. The region also has many territories and self-governing areas, so a clean list needs one important distinction: countries and territories should not be mixed without a note.
This page lists every sovereign country in Oceania with its capital, regional grouping, ISO Alpha-3 code, UN M49 code, approximate capital coordinates, and useful naming notes. It also explains cases that often confuse readers, such as Nauru’s capital status, South Tarawa versus Tarawa, and Ngerulmud versus Koror.
All Oceania Countries and Capitals
The standard list of Oceania capitals includes 14 sovereign countries. Nauru is the only entry that needs special wording because it has no official capital; government offices are commonly associated with Yaren District.
| Country | Capital | Oceania Subregion | ISO Alpha-3 | UN M49 Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Canberra | Australia and New Zealand | AUS | 036 |
| Fiji | Suva | Melanesia | FJI | 242 |
| Kiribati | South Tarawa | Micronesia | KIR | 296 |
| Marshall Islands | Majuro | Micronesia | MHL | 584 |
| Micronesia, Federated States of | Palikir | Micronesia | FSM | 583 |
| Nauru | No Official Capital; government offices in Yaren District | Micronesia | NRU | 520 |
| New Zealand | Wellington | Australia and New Zealand | NZL | 554 |
| Palau | Ngerulmud | Micronesia | PLW | 585 |
| Papua New Guinea | Port Moresby | Melanesia | PNG | 598 |
| Samoa | Apia | Polynesia | WSM | 882 |
| Solomon Islands | Honiara | Melanesia | SLB | 090 |
| Tonga | Nukuʻalofa | Polynesia | TON | 776 |
| Tuvalu | Funafuti | Polynesia | TUV | 798 |
| Vanuatu | Port Vila | Melanesia | VUT | 548 |
Capital Data With Coordinates and Time Zones
The table below gives practical technical data for the capital list. Coordinates are approximate and are best used for reference, maps, education pages, and geographic comparison rather than surveying or legal boundary work.
| Country | Capital Reference | Approximate Coordinates | Standard UTC Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Canberra | 35°16′S, 149°08′E | UTC+10 |
| Fiji | Suva | 18°08′S, 178°25′E | UTC+12 |
| Kiribati | South Tarawa | 1°19′N, 172°58′E | UTC+12 |
| Marshall Islands | Majuro | 7°06′N, 171°23′E | UTC+12 |
| Micronesia, Federated States of | Palikir | 6°55′N, 158°09′E | UTC+11 |
| Nauru | Yaren District government area | 0°32′S, 166°55′E | UTC+12 |
| New Zealand | Wellington | 41°17′S, 174°47′E | UTC+12 |
| Palau | Ngerulmud | 7°30′N, 134°37′E | UTC+9 |
| Papua New Guinea | Port Moresby | 9°27′S, 147°11′E | UTC+10 |
| Samoa | Apia | 13°50′S, 171°45′W | UTC+13 |
| Solomon Islands | Honiara | 9°26′S, 159°57′E | UTC+11 |
| Tonga | Nukuʻalofa | 21°08′S, 175°12′W | UTC+13 |
| Tuvalu | Funafuti | 8°31′S, 179°12′E | UTC+12 |
| Vanuatu | Port Vila | 17°44′S, 168°19′E | UTC+11 |
What Counts as Oceania?
Oceania is a broad geographic region covering Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and many island countries and territories across the Pacific. In country-capital lists, it is usually divided into four named areas: Australia and New Zealand, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.
This matters because “Oceania” can mean slightly different things depending on the source. A school list may include only sovereign countries. A statistical list may include dependent territories. A travel or cultural map may also mention islands that are linked to countries outside the usual country-capital table.
The 4 Common Subregions
| Subregion | Countries in the Sovereign-Country List | Capital Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Australia and New Zealand | Australia, New Zealand | Large national capitals with wider government and diplomatic roles |
| Melanesia | Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu | Mostly coastal capitals with port, administrative, and service roles |
| Micronesia | Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau | Several capitals are on atolls or small islands; Nauru has no official capital |
| Polynesia | Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu | Capitals often sit on main islands or atoll settlement areas |
Notes on Capital Names That Are Often Confused
Nauru Has No Official Capital
Many short lists write Yaren as the capital of Nauru. That is easy to understand, but it is not the most careful wording. Nauru has no official capital. Government offices and the parliament are associated with Yaren District, so “Yaren District government area” is more accurate than presenting Yaren as a normal capital city.
South Tarawa Is More Precise Than Tarawa
Kiribati is often listed with “Tarawa” as its capital. The more precise capital reference is South Tarawa, the urban and administrative area on Tarawa Atoll. Using “Tarawa” alone can be too broad because Tarawa is the atoll, not just the capital settlement area.
Ngerulmud Replaced Koror as Palau’s Capital
Palau’s capital is Ngerulmud, located in Melekeok State on Babeldaob Island. Koror remains an important urban center and was formerly the capital, which is why older or less careful lists may still cause confusion.
Funafuti Is an Atoll Capital
Tuvalu’s capital is normally listed as Funafuti. More detailed references may mention Fongafale or Vaiaku because the main government area is located there. For a standard country-capital table, Funafuti is the accepted capital entry.
Palikir Is Not the Same as Pohnpei
The capital of the Federated States of Micronesia is Palikir. It is located on Pohnpei Island. Pohnpei is a state and island name, while Palikir is the national capital settlement.
Oceania Capitals Sorted by Capital Name
Alphabetical sorting by capital can help when a reader knows the city name but wants the country. Some names, such as Apia and Majuro, are short and easy to remember; others need careful spelling.
| Capital | Country | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Apia | Samoa | Located on Upolu Island |
| Canberra | Australia | Purpose-built national capital |
| Funafuti | Tuvalu | Capital atoll and main national administrative area |
| Honiara | Solomon Islands | Located on Guadalcanal |
| Majuro | Marshall Islands | Atoll capital |
| Ngerulmud | Palau | Located in Melekeok State |
| Nukuʻalofa | Tonga | Uses the ʻokina mark in careful spelling |
| Palikir | Micronesia, Federated States of | Located on Pohnpei Island |
| Port Moresby | Papua New Guinea | National capital and main government center |
| Port Vila | Vanuatu | Located on Efate Island |
| South Tarawa | Kiribati | Administrative area on Tarawa Atoll |
| Suva | Fiji | Located on Viti Levu |
| Wellington | New Zealand | Located at the southern end of the North Island |
| No official capital | Nauru | Government offices are in Yaren District |
Territories and Areas Often Listed With Oceania
Some references include territories, external areas, and self-governing places when they discuss Oceania. These are useful for geography, but they are not the same as the 14-country sovereign list.
| Area | Capital or Administrative Center | Associated With | Common Listing Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Samoa | Pago Pago | United States | Often listed under Polynesia |
| Cook Islands | Avarua | Self-governing in free association with New Zealand | Often shown in extended Oceania lists |
| French Polynesia | Papeete | France | Major French Pacific territory |
| Guam | Hagåtña | United States | The older form “Agana” may appear in older material |
| New Caledonia | Nouméa | France | Commonly listed under Melanesia |
| Niue | Alofi | Self-governing in free association with New Zealand | Often included in extended Polynesia lists |
| Norfolk Island | Kingston | Australia | Burnt Pine is a main service area, but Kingston is usually listed as the capital |
| Northern Mariana Islands | Saipan | United States | Commonwealth in political union with the United States |
| Pitcairn Islands | Adamstown | United Kingdom | One of the smallest settlement-capital entries in extended lists |
| Tokelau | No single standard capital | New Zealand | Administrative activity is tied to its atolls rather than one capital city |
| Wallis and Futuna | Mata Utu | France | Commonly listed under Polynesia |
Language and Spelling Notes
Oceania capital names come from English, Indigenous Pacific languages, French, and local naming traditions. A plain English spelling is often accepted in search results, yet a careful geography page should keep marks where they are part of the usual place-name form.
- Nukuʻalofa includes the ʻokina, a Polynesian glottal stop mark. Many simple lists write “Nuku’alofa,” but the ʻokina form is more careful.
- Hagåtña, in the extended territory list, includes a diacritic. Older English references may use “Agana.”
- Nouméa and Papeete reflect French-language place-name usage in French Pacific territories.
- South Tarawa should not be reduced to “Tarawa” when accuracy matters.
- Federated States of Micronesia is the country name; “Micronesia” can also mean the wider subregion, so context matters.
Why Some Oceania Capitals Are Small
Several Oceania capitals are not large metropolitan centers. Some sit on narrow atolls, small islands, or planned government sites. Geography shapes the pattern. In the Pacific, a capital can be a government seat, a port, an airport connection, and a service center at the same time.
This is why Oceania capital lists can look different from lists for Europe, Africa, or Asia. A capital may not be the largest settlement. It may also share practical functions with nearby towns, villages, ports, or island districts. In small island states, the capital can feel less like a large city and more like the knot that ties government services together.
Common Questions About Oceania Capitals
How Many Capitals Are in Oceania?
There are 14 sovereign-country capital entries in Oceania. Since Nauru has no official capital, the list contains 13 named capitals plus Nauru’s special government-office note for Yaren District.
What Is the Capital of Australia?
The capital of Australia is Canberra. Sydney and Melbourne are larger and more widely known, but Canberra is the national capital.
What Is the Capital of New Zealand?
The capital of New Zealand is Wellington. Auckland is larger, but Wellington is the seat of national government.
Which Oceania Country Has No Official Capital?
Nauru has no official capital. The most accurate standard note is that government offices are located in Yaren District.
Is South Tarawa or Tarawa the Capital of Kiribati?
South Tarawa is the better capital entry. Tarawa is the atoll, while South Tarawa refers to the main urban and administrative area.
Is Koror Still the Capital of Palau?
No. The capital of Palau is Ngerulmud. Koror remains an important city and former capital, which explains why it still appears in some older references.
Clean Study List of Oceania Capitals
- Australia — Canberra
- Fiji — Suva
- Kiribati — South Tarawa
- Marshall Islands — Majuro
- Micronesia, Federated States of — Palikir
- Nauru — No official capital; government offices in Yaren District
- New Zealand — Wellington
- Palau — Ngerulmud
- Papua New Guinea — Port Moresby
- Samoa — Apia
- Solomon Islands — Honiara
- Tonga — Nukuʻalofa
- Tuvalu — Funafuti
- Vanuatu — Port Vila
