Caitlin Snaring of Redmond, Washington, is the new National Geographic Bee champion.

The home schooled eighth grader won by knowing which Vietnamese city, split by a river with the same name, was an imperial capital for more than a century. (Answer: Hue.) Snaring is only the second girl to win the national championship, and the first since 1990.

"I knew that I had the upper hand today," Snaring, who faced off with nine boys to claim the top spot, told National Geographic News.

"I saw every answer in my head."

Following the competition, she was presented with the first place prize: a $25,000 U.S. college scholarship and lifetime membership in the National Geographic Society.

Suneil Iyer of Kansas battled Snaring through the final