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This partial list of city nicknames compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that cities are sometimes known by, officially and unofficially, to locals, outsiders or their tourism boards.
Patterns
There are some common types of city nicknames.
Agricultural or Industrial Capitals Many cities have nicknames which claim that the international or, less commonly, the national or regional capital of a particular industry, hobby or other phenomenon, especially the agricultural production of a certain plant. These include: - Almond Capital of the World - Sacramento, California , Chico, California, both in the USA
- Apple Capital of the World - Wenatchee, Washington, USA
- Apricot Capital of the World - Patterson, California, USA
- Artichoke Center of the World - Castroville, California, USA
- Avocado Capital of the World - Fallbrook, California, USA
- Bluebird Capital of the World - Bickleton, Washington, USA
- Broccoli Capital of the World - Greenfield, California, USA
- Carrot Capital of the World - Holtville, California, USA
- Carrot Capital of the World - Ohakune, New Zealand
- Cherry Capital of the World - Traverse City, Michigan, USA
- Cow Chip Throwing Capital of the World - Beaver, Oklahoma, USA
- Cowboy Capital of the World - Oakdale, California, USA
- Curtain Rod Capital of the World - Sturgis, Michigan, USA
- Date Capital of the World - Indio, California, USA
- Diamond Capital of the World - Antwerp, Belgium
- Drunk-Driving Capital of the World - Gallup, New Mexico, USA
- Extreme Sports Capital of the World - Queenstown, New Zealand
- The Flour City (formerly) - Rochester, New York, USA
- Flower Capital of the World - Aalsmeer, the Netherlands
- The Flower City (currently) - Rochester, New York, USA
- Garlic Capital of the World - Gilroy, California, USA
- Entertainment Capital of the World - Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
- Grape Capital of the World - Lodi, California, USA
- Hog Butcher to the World - Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Horseradish Capital of the World - Tulelake, California, USA
- Hubcap Capital of the World - Pearsonville, California, USA
- Incest Capital of the World - Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
- Indoor Foliage Capital of the World - Apopka, Florida, USA
- Jackalope Capital of the World - Douglas, Wyoming, USA
- Iris Capital of the World - Keizer, Oregon, USA
- Lake Trout Capital of the World - Geneva, New York, USA
- Loader/Backhoe Capital of the World - Burlington, Iowa, USA
- News Capital of the World - Washington D.C., USA
- Oil Capital of the World - Houston, Texas
- Pear Capital of the World - Kelseyville, California
- Pottery Capital of the World - Marshall, Texas
- Raisin Capital of the World - Selma, California, Fresno, California, USA
- Rodeo Capital of the World - Cody, Wyoming, USA
- Rose Capital of the World - Tyler, Texas, USA
- Scuba-Diving Capital of New Mexico - Santa Rosa, New Mexico, USA
- Silver Capital of the World - Taxco, Mexico
- Slaughterhouse to the World - Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Snowmobile Capital of Colorado - Graby, Colorado, USA
- Strawberry Capital of the World - Oxnard, California, USA
- Streaking Capital of the World - Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
- Taconite Capital of the World - Mountain Iron, Minnesota, USA
- Television Capital of the World - Tijuana, Mexico
- Windsurfing Capital of the World - Hood River, Oregon, USA
- Winter Strawberry Capital of the World - Plant City, Florida, USA
Self-proclaimed Capitals of the World Many cities and towns (particularly in North America) claim to be a "Capital of the World" of a certain subject or other item. These nicknames are usually based on the city's cultural heritage or history. Here is an incomplete list of those cities. - Cozad, Nebraska: Alfalfa capital of the world.
- Chico, California: Almond capital of the world.
- Sacramento, California: Almond capital of the world.
- Wichita, Kansas: Air capital of the world
- Allen, Michigan: Antique capital of the world.
- Lebanon, Tennessee: Appalachian Square Dance capital of the world.
- Wenatchee, Washington: Apple capital of the world.
- Patterson, California: Apricot capital of the world.
- Castroville, California: Artichoke capital of the world.
- Isleton, California: Asparagus capital of the world.
- Stockton, California: Asparagus capital of the world.
- Fallbrook, California: Avocado capital of the world.
- Mattoon, Illinois: Bagel capital of the world; rice and duck capital of the world.
- La Crosse, Kansas: Barbed wire capital of the world.
- Palatka, Florida: Bass capital of the world.
- Fort Walton Beach, Florida: Billfish capital of the world.
- Athens, Texas: Black-eyed pea capital of the world.
- Sparta, Wisconsin: Bicycling capital of the world.
- Waynesboro, Georgia: Bird Dog capital of the world.
- McCloud, California: Blackberry capital of the world.
- Hammonton, New Jersey: Blueberry capital of the world.
- South Haven, Michigan: Blueberry capital of the world.
- Bickleton, Washington: Bluebird capital of the world.
- Bardstown, Kentucky: Bourbon capital of the world.
- western Kansas: breadbasket capital of the world.
- Malvern, Arkansas: Brick capital of the world.
- Greenfield, California: Broccoli capital of the world.
- Holton, Kansas: Brome Grass capital of the world.
- Coconut Creek, Florida: Butterfly capital of the world.
- Binghamton, New York: Carousel capital of the world.
- Dalton, Georgia: Carpet capital of the world.
- Holtville, California: Carrot capital of the world.
- Alliance, Nebraska: Cattle capital of the world.
- Branford, Florida: Cave diving capital of the world.
- Alpena, Michigan: Cement capital of the world.
- Battle Creek, Michigan: Cereal capital of the world.
- Wilmington, Delaware: Chemical capital of the world.
- Traverse City, Michigan: Cherry capital of the world.
- Linden, California: Cherry capital of the world.
- Eau Claire, Michigan: Cherry Pit Spitting capital of the world.
- Hatch, New Mexico: Chile capital of the world.
- Berrien Springs, Michigan: Christmas pickle capital of the world.
- Indiana County, Pennsylvania: Christmas tree capital of the world.
- Pismo Beach, California: Clam capital of the world.
- Cordova, Alaska: Razor Clam capital of the world.
- Chadwick, Missouri: Copperhead capital of the world.
- Washington, Missouri: Corn Cob Pipe capital of the world.
- Greenwood, Mississippi: Cotton capital of the world.
- Russell Springs: cow chip capital of the world.
- Beaver, Oklahoma: Cow Chip Throwing capital of the world.
- Oakdale, California: Cowboy capital of the world.
- Dodge City: cowboy capital of the world; buffalo capital of the world till early 1870s
- Olathe, Kansas: Cowboy Boot capital of the world.
- Breaux Bridge, Louisiana: Crawfish capital of the world.
- Sturgis, Michigan: Curtain Rod capital of the world.
- Whyalla, South Australia: Cuttlefish capital of the world.
- Indio, California: Date capital of the world.
- Vineland, New Jersey: Dandelion capital of the world.
- Drumheller, Alberta: Dinosaur capital of the world
- Whitby, Ontario: Donut capital of the world.
- Dyersville, Iowa: Farm Toy capital of the world.
- Albertville, Alabama: Fire hydrant capital of the world.
- Encinitas, California: Flower capital of the world; surfing capital of the world.
- Lompoc, California: Flower Seed capital of the world.
- Mountain View, Arkansas: Folk Music capital of the world.
- Pittsburg, Kansas: Fried chicken capital of the world.
- Claxton, Georgia: Fruitcake capital of the world.
- High Point, North Carolina: Furniture capital of the world.
- Gilroy, California: Garlic capital of the world.
- Eagle Lake, Texas: Goose Hunting capital of the world.
- Kirwin, Kansas: Goose capital of the world.
- Sumner, Missouri: Wild goose capital of the world.
- Abilene, Kansas: Greyhound capital of the world.
- Barre, Vermont: Granite capital of the world.
- Lodi, California: Tokay Grape capital of the world.
- Sun Prairie, Wisconsin: Groundhog capital of the world.
- Inola, Oklahoma: Hay capital of the world.
- Yates Center, Kansas: Hay capital of the world.
- Niagara Falls, Ontario: Honeymoon capital of the world
- Lexington, Kentucky: Horse capital of the world.
- Tulelake, California: Horseradish capital of the world.
- Eau Claire, Wisconsin: Horseradish capital of the world.
- Collinsville, Illinois: Horseradish capital of the world.
- Pearsonville, California: Hubcap capital of the world.
- Le Mars, Iowa: Ice cream capital of the world.
- Keizer, Oregon: Iris capital of the world.
- Douglas, Wyoming: Jackelope capital of the world.
- Gonzales, Louisiana: Jambalaya capital of the world.
- Geneva, New York: Lake trout capital of the world.
- Salinas, California: Lettuce capital of the world.
- Clearwater, Florida: Lightning capital of the world.
- Smith River, California: Lily Growing capital of the world.
- Burlington, Iowa: Loader/Backhoe capital of the world.
- Rockland, Maine: Lobster capital of the world.
- Shediac, New Brunswick: Lobster capital of the world
- Mercer, Wisconsin: Loon capital of the world.
- Madison, Minnesota: Lutefisk capital of the world.
- Pekin, Illinois: Marigold capital of the world.
- Colquitt, Georgia: Mayhaw capital of the world.
- Beattie, Kansas: Milo capital of the world.
- Franklin County, Virginia: Moonshine capital of the world.
- Rodickton, Newfoundland: Mouse capital of the world.
- Columbia, Tennessee: Mule capital of the world.
- Austin, Texas: Live Music capital of the world.
- Humboldt, Saskatchewan: Mustard capital of the world
- Washington, D.C.: News capital of the world.
- Greater Sudbury, Ontario: Nickel capital of the world.
- Red Lake, Ontario: Norseman capital of the world.
- Tulsa, Oklahoma: Oil capital of the world.
- Rocanville, Saskatchewan: Oil can capital of the world.
- Florida, New York: Onion capital of the world.
- Vidalia, Georgia: Sweet Onion capital of the world.
- Coober Pedy, Australia: Opal capital of the world.
- Johnston, South Carolina: Peach capital of the world.
- Ashburn, Georgia: Peanut capital of the world.
- Blakely, Georgia: Peanut capital of the world.
- Dothan, Alabama: Peanut capital of the world.
- Rogue River Valley, Oregon: Pear capital of the world.
- Kelseyville, California: Pear capital of the world.
- Dove Creek, Colorado: Pinto bean capital of the world.
- Moline, Illinois: Plow capital of the world.
- Churchill, Manitoba: Polar bear capital of the world.
- North Loup, Nebraska: Popcorn capital of the world.
- Marion, Ohio: Popcorn capital of the world.
- Blackfoot, Idaho: Potato capital of the world.
- Marshall, Texas: Pottery capital of the world.
- Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California: Porn capital of the world.
- Gainesville, Georgia: Poultry capital of the world.
- Cassoday, Kansas: Prairie Chicken capital of the world.
- Yuba City, California: Prune capital of the world.
- Half Moon Bay, California: Pumpkin capital of the world.
- Parsons, Kansas: Purple Martin capital of the world.
- Albany, Georgia: Quail Hunting capital of the world.
- Purcell, Oklahoma: Quarterhorse capital of the world.
- Mount Ida, Arkansas: Quartz crystal capital of the world.
- Fresno, California: Raisin capital of the world.
- Selma, California: Raisin capital of the world.
- Tifton, Georgia: Reading capital of the world.
- Kaufman, Texas: Red-tailed Hawk capital of the world.
- Honaker, Virginia: Redbud capital of the world.
- Sumner, Washington: Rhubarb Pie capital of the world.
- Cody, Wyoming: Rodeo capital of the world.
- Elliston, Newfoundland: Root cellar capital of the world.
- Wasco, California: Rose Growing capital of the world.
- Noble, Oklahoma: Rose Rock capital of the world.
- Park Falls, Wisconsin: Ruffed Grouse capital of the world.
- Elkhart, Indiana: RV capital of the world.
- Mexico, Missouri: Saddlehorse capital of the world and Fire brick capital of the world.
- Campbell River, British Columbia: Salmon capital of the world.
- Stuart, Florida: Sailfish capital of the world.
- Digby, Nova Scotia: Scallop capital of the world
- Venice, Florida: Shark Tooth capital of the world.
- Glasgow, United Kingdom: Shipbuilding capital of the world.
- Port Isabel, Texas: Shrimp capital of the world.
- Wallace, Idaho: Silver capital of the world.
- Taxco, Mexico: Silver capital of the world.
- Granville, New York: Slate capital of the world.
- Hanover, Pennsylvania: Snack capital of the world.
- Alma, Arkansas: Spinach capital of the world.
- Crystal City, Texas: Spinach capital of the world.
- Tarpon Springs, Florida: Sponge capital of the world.
- Bandon, Oregon: Storm capital of the world.
- Oxnard, California: Strawberry capital of the world.
- Ponchatoula, Louisiana: Strawberry capital of the world.
- Watsonville, California: Strawberry capital of the world.
- Plant City, Florida: Winter Strawberry capital of the world.
- Knoxville, Tennessee: Streaking capital of the world (so proclaimed by Walter Cronkite).
- Mannford, Oklahoma: Striped bass capital of the world.
- Hearne, Texas: Sunflower capital of the world.
- Goodland, Kansas: Sunflower capital of the world.
- Mountain Iron, Minnesota: Taconite capital of the world.
- Tijuana, Mexico: Television capital of the world.
- Green Forest, Arkansas: Tomato capital of the world.
- Allentown, Pennsylvania: Truck capital of the world.
- Berryville, Arkansas: Turkey capital of the world.
- Caldwell: ornate box turtle capital of the world.
- Cooper, Texas: Vetch capital of the world.
- Port Clinton, Ohio: Walleye capital of the world.
- Savoonga, Alaska: Walrus capital of the world.
- Cordele, Georgia: Watermelon capital of the world.
- Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania: Weather capital of the world.
- St-Simeon, Quebec: Whale capital of the world.
- Victoria, B.C.: Whale watching capital of the world
- Wellington, Kansas: Wheat capital of the world.
- Hood River, Oregon: Wind surfing capital of the world.
Former Maryland businessman Bill Rau has authored a guidebook (America's Capitals: U.S. and Canadian Towns with World Class Names, published by Side Roads Publishing Company of Takoma Park, Md.) which catalogs North America's "world capitals."
Birthplace Some cities take nicknames based on an industry, invention or other phenomenon which allegedly arose there. These include: - Birthplace of Aviation - Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
- Birthplace of Baseball - Cooperstown, New York; Hoboken, New Jersey
- Birthplace of the Blues - Memphis, Tennessee
- Birthplace of Hockey - Windsor, Nova Scotia
- Birthplace of TV - Rigby, Idaho or Hastings, England.
- Cradle of Aviation - Hammondsport, New York
- America's Godmother - Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, France
Comparative nicknames Some cities have nicknames which refer to other cities with established reputations. For example, a city might bill itself as the "Athens of the North" to establish a link with the major cultural contributions of Athens, Greece. - Athens
- Athens of the North - Edinburgh, Scotland
- Athens of the North - Vilnius, Lithuania
- Athens of the South - Nashville, Tennessee
- Athens of the South - Atlanta, Georgia
- Athens of the East - Madurai, India
- Athens of the West - Columbus, Indiana
- Athens of the West - Lexington, Kentucky
- Athens of Iran - Shiraz, Iran
- Athens of America - Boston, Massachusetts
- Athens of South America - Bogotá, Colombia
- Athens of Florida - DeLand, Florida
- Athens of Indiana - Crawfordsville, Indiana
- Athens of Texas - Marshall, Texas
- Athens of the Ozarks - Fayetteville, Arkansas
- Baghdad
- Birmingham of America - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Chicago of Argentina - Rosario, Argentina
- Edinburgh of the South - Dunedin, New Zealand
- Gibraltar
- Gibraltar of America - Vicksburg, Mississippi
- Gibraltar of North America - Quebec City, Quebec
- Hollywood North - Vancouver, British Columbia
- Hong Kong of the North - Dalian, China
- Manchester of the North - Tampere, Finland
- Mendocino of the East - Rockport, Massachusetts
- Monte Carlo of the East - Macao
- Moscow
- Moscow on the Charles - Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Moscow on the Mississippi - Saint Paul, Minnesota
- Nashville of the North - Edmonton, Alberta
- New York
- New York of the South - Atlanta, Georgia
- New York of the South (former) - Galveston, Texas
- Paris
- Paris of Africa - Abidjan, Ivory Coast; Dakar, Senegal
- Paris of Arabia - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Paris of the Caribbean - Havana, Cuba
- Paris of the East - Riga, Latvia
- Paris of Iran - Shiraz, Iran
- Paris of Latin America - Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Paris of the Middle East - Beirut, Lebanon
- Paris of the Midwest - Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Paris of the North - Tromsø, Norway
- Paris of the Orient - Saigon, Vietnam (less common today); Shanghai, China
- Paris of the Pacific - Sitka, Alaska, USA; Nouméa, New Caledonia; San Francisco, California, USA
- Paris of the South - Asheville, North Caro
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