99% of People Can’t Pass This Basic Geography Quiz – Can YOU!?
Test your knowledge with our basic world geography quiz questions. These interesting facts are designed to challenge even the most seasoned globe-trotters, this quiz is a fun and interactive way to test your geographic knowledge. From identifying the difference between longitude and latitude to answering trivia about famous landmarks, this geography trivia quiz covers a wide range of topics that every geography enthusiast should know. But don’t be fooled by its “basic” label – over 18,000 people (and counting) have taken this quiz…less than 1% have gotten a perfect score-Good Luck!
Do Americans know geography?
While geography knowledge can vary among individuals, studies have shown that many Americans struggle with basic geography. In a survey conducted in 2016, only about 29% of Americans could correctly identify the Pacific Ocean and just over half knew the capital of Canada.
- Question of
Where is the tallest mountain in the world, Mt. Everest, found?
- Nepal
- Egypt
- India
- Sudan
Correct Wrong
Mount Everest is so tall that it reaches into the "jet stream," where winds can blow over 200 miles per hour.
- Question of
Which country ranks #1 in total population?
- China
- India
- USA
- Brazil
Correct Wrong
1-India-1,428,627,663 2 China-1,425,671,352 3-United States-339,996,563 4-Indonesia-277,534,122 5-Pakistan 240,485,658 ----- As of 2024-India has surpassed China as the most populous country in the world. Thanks for the heads up David!
- Question of
How many US states have a coast line on the Gulf of Mexico?
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
Correct Wrong
Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, are known as the Gulf States
- Question of
Which of these is not the name of a world ocean?
- Mediterranean
- Indian
- Southern
- Arctic
Correct Wrong
- Question of
What is the largest continent on earth?
- Asia
- Africa
- Australia
- North America
Correct Wrong
Asia is home to the tallest mountain (Mount Everest) and the lowest point on land (the Dead Sea), making it a continent of extremes!
- Question of
Which is the longest river in the US?
- Missouri River
- Mississippi River
- Colorado River
- Roe River
Correct Wrong
The Missouri River stretches about 2,341 miles (3,767 kilometers). The Missouri River is so long that it flows through seven states, and Lewis and Clark followed it on their famous adventure to explore the Wild West.
- Question of
What are the lines circling the globe in a north-south direction called?
- Longitude
- Latitude
- Equator
- Meridian
Correct Wrong
The lines circling the globe in a north-south direction are called longitude lines. The most famous longitude line, the Prime Meridian (at 0°), runs right through Greenwich, England, and it’s where the world decided to start counting time zones.
- Question of
How many Great Lakes are there?
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Correct Wrong
There are five Great Lakes: Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. Lake Superior, the biggest one, is so huge it could fit all the other Great Lakes inside it.
- Question of
What percentage of the world’s population lives in the Northern Hemisphere?
- 90%
- 75%
- 50%
- 25%
Correct Wrong
Around 90% of the world's population lives in the Northern Hemisphere. source: worldatlas.com/articles/the-hemispheres-of-planet-earth.html
- Question of
Which state has the longest coastline?
- Alaska
- California
- Florida
- Texas
Correct Wrong
With 54,563 km of coastline, Alaska boasts of having the longest coastline in the country. In fact, the length of the state's coastline is more than that of all other states combined. source: worldatlas.com/articles/us-states-by-length-of-coastline.html
- Question of
Which desert is larger- the Sahara in North Africa (hot weather) or the Antarctic (cold weather)?
- Sahara
- Antarctic
Correct Wrong
The Antarctic is so cold that it gets less snow than the Sahara gets rain—making it the driest continent on Earth!
- Question of
Which of the following is considered the largest island in the world?
- Greenland
- New Guinea
- Madagascar
- Great Britain
Correct Wrong
Greenland is the worlds largest island. While Australia is an island, it is considered a continent. Greenland has an area of 2,166,086 square km. source: universetoday.com/73880/what-is-the-largest-island-in-the-world/
- Question of
Which of the following is the smallest continent on Earth.
- Oceania
- Antarctica
- Europe
- South America
Correct Wrong
- Question of
The Arctic is the northernmost region of the Earth and the Antarctic the Earth’s southernmost region. Which region has the higher human population?
- Arctic
- Antarctic
Correct Wrong
Approximately 4 million people, including many indigenous communities such as Inuits, Sami, Yakuts, etc., live in the Arctic region while only about 1000 to 5000 people from various countries live in the research stations that are scattered throughout Antarctica. source: worldatlas.com/geography/arctic-vs-antarctic.html
- Question of
There are five main lines of latitude. The Equator splits the Earth in half and is found at 0 degrees. Which of the following lines of latitude is found NORTH of the equator?
- Tropic of Cancer
- Tropic Of Capricorn
Correct Wrong
The five main lines of latitude are the Equator (0°), the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° North), the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° South), the Arctic Circle (66.5° North), and the Antarctic Circle (66.5° South). The lines north of the Equator are the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle.