Name all 50: state capitals, from memory

Can you name all 50 US state capitals from memory? Type a capital, press Enter, and if you're right its state turns green and a star marks the city on the map.

It is harder than it sounds, because in most states the capital is not the biggest city. New York's capital is Albany, Illinois picked Springfield over Chicago, and Nevada runs its affairs from Carson City while Las Vegas gets the attention. Only 17 of the 50 capitals are also their state's largest city.

Ignore the famous city. The single biggest trap is guessing the best-known city in the state. Only 17 capitals are their state's largest city, so when in doubt, think of the smaller, older, more central town instead.

Sweep by region. Walk the map in your head: New England, the Mid-Atlantic, the South, the Midwest, the Mountain West, the Pacific coast. A systematic sweep beats random recall every time.

Bank the easy ones early. Boston, Denver, Atlanta, Phoenix, Nashville and Honolulu are capitals and famous cities. Clear them fast, then spend your focus on the Frankforts and Pierres.

Learn the president group. Four capitals are named after presidents: Jackson, Jefferson City, Lincoln and Madison. Recalling them as a set is four answers for the price of one.

Read the empty patches. The green shows which regions are done. When you stall, look at whatever is still cream and ask yourself what its capital could be.