The North American Geography Knowledge Quiz

By: Beth Hendricks
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
The North American Geography Knowledge Quiz
Image: Christopher Kimmel / Moment / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Wasn't it Lee Greenwood who sang, "From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee?" Think of this as the quiz version of that iconic and patriotic song. But, let's kick it up a notch. Because this isn't just a stroll "from the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans white with foam" in the United States,  but a mental walk through "O, Canada's" "home and native land" and Mexico's "fatherland." It's an all-inclusive, all-expenses-paid journey through some of the most interesting geographical regions of North America. 

Have you ever seen the world's smallest river? How about visited a triple landlocked state? Maybe you're more interested in the island life – North America has the largest lake island in the world, really! Or, perhaps you're more the "mountain" type. North America also boasts the world's largest's vertical drop and the world's tallest mountain. To borrow a phrase from the United States, North America is a veritable melting pot of geographic features from the highest "highs" to the lowest (below sea level) "lows."

Test your North American geography knowledge in this quiz by matching our carefully curated clues to the right range, river or region. We think you'll agree geography is where it's at! (Get it?!) Let's go!

Isthmus of Panama
Tan Yilmaz / Moment / Getty Images
Which of these connects North America to its neighbor South America?
Erie Canal
Isthmus of Panama
Suez Canal
Strait of Gibraltar
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Isthmus of Panama simultaneously connects North and South America and divides the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Experts believe the isthmus was created thanks to volcanic activity and the build-up of sediment. Shown here is the Panama Canal.

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Alaska
Blue Poppy / Moment / Getty Images
If you wanted to go as far west, as far east and as far north as possible in the U.S. all at the same time, where would you need to travel?
New York
Alaska
Hawaii
Maine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's no surprise that Alaska is the U.S.'s northernmost and westernmost points, but the easternmost designation might throw some people for a loop. As it turns out, Alaska's Aleutian Islands reach far enough east to make it the easternmost point as well, as they cross into the Eastern Hemisphere.

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Greenland
Posnov / Moment / Getty Images
North America boasts a lot of islands, including the world's largest island. What is it?
Newfoundland
Hispaniola
Hawaii
Greenland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Greenland earns the world's title of "largest island" over Australia because Australia is considered a continent. Greenland makes up roughly 836,000 square miles but only has about 56,000 people so there's plenty of room to spread out.

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Third
FrankRamspott / E+ / Getty Images
In terms of continent size, how does North America rank among the seven?
First
Second
Seventh
Third
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

North America is third in continent size behind Asia and Africa. It is made up of roughly 9.5 million square miles. While that sounds large, all of North America could fit neatly inside of Africa with room to spare!

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Canada
Matteo Colombo / DigitalVision / Getty Images
In what area of North America can you find the world's largest collections of natural lakes?
Nicaragua
Minnesota
Canada
Greenland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canada is a sizable country, so it's no surprise that it's home to an abundance of water. It is, in fact, host to the largest percentage – up to 60%! – of all of the world's natural lakes.

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Rocky Mountains
JohnnyGreig / E+ / Getty Images
Which North American mountain range forms the Great Divide?
Rocky Mountains
Sierra Nevada Mountains
Appalachian Mountains
Blue Ridge Mountains
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Rocky Mountains, which are made up of more than 100 separate mountain ranges, also make up the area known as the Great Divide. This is where the water that runs to the Pacific and the Atlantic separates.

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Lake Superior
Hey Darlin / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images
Fresh! Which of these North American lakes is considered the largest freshwater lake on the planet?
Lake Superior
Lake Chelan
Lake Tahoe
Crater Lake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Superior indeed! Lake Superior's 31,000 square miles touch Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Canada. If you were to drain it, it could fit all of the water from the four remaining Great Lakes combined.

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Montana
Wiki Commons by Montanabw
North America is home to the world's smallest river at just over 200 feet. Where is it located?
Maine
Montana
Missouri
Mississippi
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Montana's Roe River wouldn't be great for floating since it only flows for about 200 feet. Can't envision how long 200 feet is? Think of it as a little more than half of a city block--seriously.

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Three
bamlou / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images
Water, water ... everywhere! How many oceans does North America touch?
Two
Three
Four
One
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Most people remember that North America borders the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. What many fail to remember is that part of Alaska's northern coastline touches the Arctic Ocean as well.

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The Grand Canyon
Busà Photography / Moment / Getty Images
This North American feature is 277 miles long by 18 miles wide at its widest point. What is it?
The Appalachian Mountains
The Mojave Desert
The Mississippi River
The Grand Canyon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Grand Canyon makes the list of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, stretching 277 miles long through the United States' state of Arizona. You could fit the entire state of Rhode Island in the canyon's national park.

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Rio Grande
Photography by Deb Snelson / Moment / Getty Images
The longest river in Mexico also runs through the U.S., along the Texas border. What is it called?
Nazas
Lerma
Rio Grande
Balsas
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Rio Grande runs through both the United States and Mexico, and forms part of the border between Texas and the country to our south. In Mexico, however, locals refer to it as Rio Bravo.

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7,000
cdwheatley / E+ / Getty Images
How many islands make up the area known as the Caribbean, a subregion of North America?
1,250
100
7,000
660
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Spread over one million square miles, the area we know as the Caribbean boasts roughly 7,000 individual islands, from the smallest of the small like Saba to larger, more well-known islands like Cuba.

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Alaska 2
ksalt / E+ / Getty Images
In which state will you find the United States' longest coastline?
Texas
California
Florida
Alaska
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When you think of America's coastline, you probably forget our northernmost state – Alaska. Alaska has 6,640 miles of coastline that touch various bodies of water including the Pacific and Arctic oceans.

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Nebraska
ziggymaj / E+ / Getty Images
Which of these areas in North America is considered to be "triple landlocked?"
Alabama
Nebraska
Honduras
Ontario
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nebraska has the distinction, among these choices, of being an area considered to be "triple landlocked." That means, if you lived there, you'd have to travel through at least three states in any direction to find the ocean.

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Hoover Dam
Jennifer_Sharp / E+ / Getty Images
This structure over the Colorado River forms the border of Arizona and Nevada. What is it called?
Hoover Dam
Mackinac Bridge
Glen Canyon Dam
La Poudre Pass
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Hoover Dam, situated at the border of Arizona and Nevada, was named for America's 31st president, Herbert Hoover. If you were comparing it in size to a skyscraper, it would jut approximately 60 stories into the air.

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West Virginia
Photography by Deb Snelson / Moment / Getty Images
Which state earned the nickname "The Mountain State" for being the only state located entirely in the Appalachian Mountains?
North Carolina
Tennessee
Virginia
West Virginia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

All 24,000 square miles of West Virginia are located in the Appalachian Mountain range, which stretches from Canada to Alabama. The state's legislature adopted the nickname officially in 1893.

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Hawaii
Saro17 / E+ / Getty Images
North America has another claim to fame. Where is the tallest mountain in the world located?
New Mexico
Alaska
Hawaii
Colorado
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You probably thought the tallest mountain in the world was Mount Everest in Asia, but that's not correct. The tallest is actually Mauna Lea in Hawaii, which measures 32,000 feet when you start from the sea's floor.

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Missouri
DenisTangneyJr / E+ / Getty Images
The longest river in North America shares its name with a state or province. What is it?
Mississippi
Ontario
Missouri
Washington
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Missouri River flows for roughly 2,300 miles, touching seven states from Montana to, you guessed it, Missouri. You may remember from your school days that the Missouri is the route Lewis and Clark used for their great expedition. Shown here is the Kansas City, Missouri, skyline along the banks of the Missouri River.

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Mt. Thor
Wiki Commons by Paul Gierszewski
Canada is home to this geographic feature, which has the world's longest vertical drop (an entire mile). What is it called?
King Peak
Mt. Thor
Spring Glacier Peak
Mt. Logan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Thrill seeker? There are lots of amusement parks where you can experience a lengthy vertical drop, but none of them would compare to Mt. Thor, which is four times the height of the Eiffel Tower. Of course, this is no theme park ride, just nature.

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Central America
zxvisual / E+ / Getty Images
If you love the ocean, you might want to move to which of these areas, where nothing is further than 125 miles to the coast?
Alaska
California
Central America
Greenland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Central America might be the place to be if you're an ocean lover. No matter if you're in Panama City, shown here, or anywhere in the area, you're guaranteed to be no further from the ocean than roughly 125 miles. Umbrella drink not included.

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Mt. McKinley
Jacob W. Frank / Moment / Getty Images
Which of these is considered North America's highest mountain peak?
Mt. St. Elias
Denali
Pike's Peak
Popocatépetl
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Denali, which was formerly known as Mt. McKinley, soars 20,310 feet in the air. The peak actually gained a few feet in 2015, when its height was recalculated from a 2013 measurement 73 feet shorter.

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Crater Lake
Posnov / Moment / Getty Images
This lake in Oregon, the deepest in America, is appropriately named. What is it called?
Dark Lake
Crater Lake
Lake Black Hole
Deepest Lake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Crater Lake, appropriately named since it is the deepest cavity of water in the United States, is located in southern Oregon. It measures more than 1,900 feet deep at its deepest point.

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Old Faithful
Mike Lyvers / Moment Open / Getty Images
Which of these geographic phenomenons in North America erupts roughly every 90 minutes?
Mt. St. Helens
Broken Top
Old Faithful
Giantess
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Yellowstone National Park's most well-known geyser, Old Faithful, erupts regularly--roughly every 90 or so minutes. A geyser is a type of hot spring where water erupts and bursts into the sky.

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Panama
Poligrafistka / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images
Where would you find North America's most narrow point – a mere 31 miles wide?
Vancouver Island
New Jersey
Panama
New Brunswick
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The most narrow point on the North American continent is in Panama, stretching just 31 miles across. At this point, this Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean are separated by roughly the same distance that exists between Los Angeles and Anaheim.

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Cascades
Diana Robinson Photography / Moment / Getty Images
One of the Earth's youngest mountain ranges is found from Canada in the north to California in the south. What is it called?
Rockies
Appalachians
Cascades
Sierra Nevadas
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Cascades begin in Canada's British Columbia province and run through Washington and Oregon before stopping in northern California. Mount Rainier in Washington, shown here, is the range's highest point.

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Sahara
LucynaKoch / E+ / Getty Images
All of these are desert areas located in North America except which?
Sonoran
Sahara
Chihuahuan
Mojave
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You can find the Sonoran, Chihuahuan and Mojave Deserts sprinkled throughout the United States' Southwest and into Mexico. The Sahara Desert, shown here, is located in Africa.

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Death Valley
Eric Lo / Moment / Getty Images
Where can you find North America's lowest point, roughly 280 feet below sea level?
Lake Assal
Grand Canyon
Death Valley
Laguna del Carbón
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Death Valley is home to the lowest point in North America, a place called Badwater Basin. Death Valley is not only North America's lowest point, but also one of its driest. In 1929, it didn't rain for an entire year.

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Everglades National Park
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This third-largest national park in the U.S. is home to both panthers and alligators. What is it?
Mesa Verde National Park
Everglades National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Yosemite National Park
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Everglades National Park, a wetlands system in southern Florida, is home to a diverse climate of mammals, birds and reptiles, including the endangered Florida panther and both alligators and crocodiles.

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Bay of Fundy
Laszlo Podor / Moment / Getty Images
If you want to see the world's highest tides, you'd need to travel to which of these bodies of water?
Ungava Bay
Bay of Fundy
Hudson Bay
Rio Gallegos
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Visit Canada's Bay of Fundy, located between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, if you want to see the world's highest tides--measuring up to 55 feet in height. The bay's spring tides are among its highest and occur two times a month year-round. Shown here, tourists explore the sea floor at low tide.

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Niagara Falls
annhfhung / Moment / Getty Images
You can view this natural attraction from both the U.S. and Canada. What is it?
Niagara Falls
Mount Rushmore
Yellowstone National Park
Pike's Peak
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Niagara Falls can be observed from both the U.S. side and the Canadian side, shown here. Niagara Falls is actually a collection of three falls named American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Canadian Falls.

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New York City
Jackal Pan / Moment / Getty Images
Where can you find the largest urban setting in North America?
Vancouver
Mexico City
New York City
Los Angeles
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

New York City is North America's largest urban area, with more than 24 million people. In fact, New York City is so large that roughly four dozen buildings boast their own ZIP codes.

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Copper Canyon
Arturo Peña Romano Med / E+ / Getty Images
If you grab a seat on Chihuahua al Pacifico, which of these tourist attractions can you check out?
Yellowstone National Park
Copper Canyon
Guanajuato
Catedral Metropolitana
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you thought the Grand Canyon was impressive, Copper Canyon in Mexico may really knock your socks off. Copper Canyon encompasses 25,000 square miles, making it both larger and deeper than the Grand Canyon. The railway known as Chihuahua al Pacifico will give you a front-row seat to its breathtaking scenery.

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Gulf of Mexico
FrankRamspott / E+ / Getty Images
There are more than 30 major rivers in the United States that empty into this body of water. What is it?
Bay of Fundy
Pacific Ocean
Chesapeake Bay
Gulf of Mexico
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Gulf of Mexico, which is bordered by Mexico, the United States and Cuba, is an ocean basin where roughly three dozen major rivers empty. The largest of these is the Mississippi River.

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Catskills
Peter Gridley / Photodisc / Getty Images
If you make it to the top of this mountain range's 35 highest peaks, you'll be eligible for The 35 Club. What mountain range is it?
Appalachians
Rockies
Sierra Nevadas
Catskills
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Catskill Mountains, in the northeastern United States, has 35 peaks at 3,500 feet or higher. If you make it to the top of each, you can become a card-carrying member of The 35 Club.

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Yukon Territory
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Feeling hot? Where would you travel if you wanted to visit North America's coldest spot?
Newfoundland
Wisconsin
Yukon Territory
Maine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With a recorded temperature of -81.4 Fahrenheit, the Yukon Territory in Canada in North America's coldest location, officially. This temp was recorded in a village called Snag, so pack an extra coat if you're planning a visit. Shown here is Dawson City, Yukon Territory.

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Devils Tower
Terryfic3D / E+ / Getty Images
This igneous rock formation rises more than four football fields into the sky. What is it known as?
Tower of Babel
Devils Tower
Heavens Tower
Millennial Crest
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Devils Tower is located in Wyoming, a site designated as the United States' first national monument. Experts disagree on how the rock formation was formed, but most theories involve volcanic activity and magma or sedimentary rock. It features prominently in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" by Steven Spielberg.

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Monument Valley
Francesco Riccardo Iacomino / Moment / Getty Images
An area known for its sandstone rock formations, which of these geographic landmarks can be found on the border between Arizona and Utah?
Death Valley
Monument Valley
Black Hills
Stonehenge
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Monument Valley is a favorite of both novice photographers and professional filmmakers, a site noted for its tall sandstone buttes clustered throughout the valley. This gives the rock formations the appearance of extra-tall monuments.

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Black Hills
Brent Clark Photography / Moment / Getty Images
Mount Rushmore, featuring the faces of four U.S. presidents, can be found in which North American mountain range?
Black Hills
Green Mountains
Cascades
Blue Ridge Mountains
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Black Hills are a relatively small mountain range--just 110 miles in length--located in South Dakota and Wyoming. The Mount Rushmore monument is 60 feet high on a mountain that stands 5,725 feet high itself.

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Newfoundland and Labrador
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This area of Canada boasts its own time zone – and a 30-minute time zone at that. Where is it?
Ontario
British Columbia
Vancouver
Newfoundland and Labrador
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Newfoundland and Labrador, which most people just refer to as Newfoundland, has its own time zone. Newfoundland is 30 minutes ahead of the Atlantic time zone and a full 90 minutes ahead of Eastern time zone. Shown here is Dungeon Provincial Park in Newfoundland.

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A volcano
©Tan Yilmaz / Moment / Getty Images
Mexico boasts Pico de Orizaba, the tallest one of these in North America. What is it?
A rock formation
A volcano
A butte
A plateau
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Coming in at 18,700 feet, Pico de Orizaba is North America's tallest volcano and Mexico's highest mountainous peak. Don't expect volcanic activity from this dormant formation anytime soon. The last activity from it was in 1846.

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You Got:
/40
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