How Many of These Geography Questions Can You Actually Answer? 🌍

Recently, I was asked a few travel trivia questions that I had never even thought about—and to my surprise, I didn’t know many of the answers. It made me realize how often we overlook the fascinating details of geography and history that surround us.

That’s why I’ve put together this list of 101 travel quiz questions with answers and fun facts. You’ll find a mix of geography, history, and cultural curiosities that can challenge what you know while teaching you something new.

The goal isn’t just to test knowledge—it’s also about learning, laughing, and maybe even turning it into a fun game with friends. For me, it’s also a way to train my memory (which clearly needs work 🤭).

For example, I actually knew the answers to #3 and #96, but I just couldn’t remember the names—so frustrating! My plan is to read the answers a few times, picture them in my head, and then quiz myself again in a week.

I hope this quiz gives you an enjoyable challenge and maybe even sparks a bit of armchair travel if you can’t leave home right now. So, let’s dive in!

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you don’t want to read the answer just yet, use the long table of contents and then click on the question when you are ready to learn the answer.

Want to step up the challenge? Go through all the questions, keep track of how many you get right, and see where you land on the score chart.

1. What’s the deepest in the world and in What Country?

Lake Baikal is in Russia. It reaches a maximum depth of 1,642 meters (5,387 feet), making it the deepest lake on Earth. It’s also the oldest, at around 25 million years, and holds about 20% of the world’s unfrozen freshwater supply.

2. What modern country is home to the ancient city of Carthage?

Carthage is in Tunisia. Once a Phoenician trading empire, Carthage fought the Punic Wars against Rome before being destroyed in 146 BCE. Its ruins near modern Tunis are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

3. What is the furthest point on Earth from the Earth’s center?

The summit of Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador is the furthest point from Earth’s core because of the equatorial bulge. Although its height is 6,263 meters (20,548 feet) above sea level, its location makes it stick farther into space than Mount Everest.

4. What U.S. state is closest to Africa?

Maine is closest to Africa. The distance from Quoddy Head, Maine to Morocco is about 5,100 kilometers (3,154 miles), shorter than from Florida or other eastern states.

5. What is the only island divided between three countries?

Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei share the island of Borneo. It’s the world’s third-largest island and contains one of the oldest rainforests, home to orangutans and pygmy elephants.

6. What is the only country with no official capital?

Nauru, a tiny Pacific island, has no designated capital city. Government offices are located in the Yaren District, but it isn’t formally recognized as the capital.

7. Name 3 countries that are found inside other countries.

The three countries are Lesotho (inside South Africa), San Marino (inside Italy), and Vatican City (inside Italy). Lesotho is unique for being completely surrounded by a single country.

8. Which is the smallest country in the world by area?

Vatican City is the smallest country, covering just 0.49 square kilometers (0.19 square miles). Despite its size, it is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church and home to masterpieces like Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling.

9. What river flows through Paris?

The Seine River runs through Paris for 777 kilometers (483 miles). Its banks host many iconic landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Notre Dame.

10. Which desert is the largest hot desert on Earth?

The Sahara Desert in North Africa covers about 9.2 million square kilometers (3.6 million square miles), roughly the size of the United States. Its sand dunes can reach heights of over 180 meters (590 feet).

11. What’s the northernmost city in the world?

The northernmost permanent settlement is Ny-Ålesund in Svalbard, Norway, but it’s mainly a research station. The northernmost town with a resident population is Longyearbyen, also in Svalbard, at latitude 78°N with about 2,400 residents.

12. Which two continents are connected by the Isthmus of Suez?

The Isthmus of Suez connects Africa and Asia. It is also where the Suez Canal runs, one of the world’s most important waterways, linking the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea.

13. Which is the northernmost capital of a sovereign state in the world?

Reykjavik, Iceland, holds the title at a latitude of 64°08′N. Despite its extreme northern location, the Gulf Stream keeps winters relatively mild compared to other cities at similar latitudes.

14. Which European capital city is built on 14 islands?

Stockholm, Sweden, is spread across 14 islands connected by over 50 bridges. It is sometimes nicknamed the “Venice of the North.”

15. The Great Barrier Reef is off the coast of which country?

The Great Barrier Reef lies off Australia’s Queensland coast. Stretching 2,300 kilometers (1,429 miles), it’s the largest living structure on Earth and can even be seen from space.

16. What is the longest river in South America?

The Amazon River flows for about 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles). It carries more water than the next seven largest rivers combined and is surrounded by the Amazon Rainforest, the world’s largest tropical forest.

17. Which Asian country has the most islands?

Indonesia has over 17,000 islands, though only about 6,000 are inhabited. Its islands span two continents (Asia and Oceania) and three time zones.

18. What is the flattest country in the world?

The Maldives has an average ground level of only 1.5 meters (4 feet 11 inches) above sea level. Its highest natural point is just 5.1 meters (17 feet), making it extremely vulnerable to climate change.

19. Which country is nicknamed the “Land of the Rising Sun”?

Japan earned the nickname due to its eastern position relative to China. Its name in Japanese, Nihon (日本), literally means “origin of the sun.”

20. What mountain range separates Europe from Asia?

The Ural Mountains in Russia stretch for about 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles). They are considered the natural boundary between Europe and Asia.

21. What is the southernmost city in the world?

Puerto Toro, Chile, is the southernmost settlement, but with only a handful of fishermen, it’s not considered a city. The southernmost actual city is Puerto Williams, Chile, on Navarino Island.

22. Which country is both in Europe and Asia and has its capital in both?

Turkey is a transcontinental country. Its largest city, Istanbul, straddles both Europe and Asia across the Bosporus Strait, though the official capital is Ankara (entirely in Asia).

23. What is the driest place on Earth?

The Atacama Desert in Chile is the driest non-polar desert. Some weather stations there have never recorded rainfall. Parts of it resemble the surface of Mars, and NASA has used it for rover testing.

24. Which country has the most pyramids?

Sudan has more pyramids than Egypt, with over 200 pyramids built by the ancient Kingdom of Kush. They are smaller but more numerous.

25. What country has the most time zones?

France has 12 time zones when counting its overseas territories, stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean.

👉 If we only count time zones within a country’s main territory, the answer is Russia, which spans 11 time zones across its vast landmass, stretching from Kaliningrad in Europe to Kamchatka in the Pacific.

26. What is the world’s largest landlocked country?

Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country, covering 2.7 million square kilometers (1.05 million square miles). Despite being landlocked, it has a large inland sea—the Caspian.

27. Which river is sacred to Hindus in India?

The Ganges River is sacred to Hindus. It runs 2,525 kilometers (1,569 miles) from the Himalayas into the Bay of Bengal, and many Hindus believe bathing in its waters cleanses sins.

28. What is the world’s tallest waterfall?

Angel Falls in Venezuela drops a total of 979 meters (3,212 feet), with an uninterrupted plunge of 807 meters (2,648 feet). It is named after American aviator Jimmy Angel, who first flew over it in 1933.

29. Which four island nations lie off the southeast coast of Africa and belong to the African continent?

The four island nations are Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius, and Seychelles:

Seychelles – A group of 115 islands northeast of Madagascar, about 459 km² (177 sq mi). Population: about 100,000. The smallest African country by both land and population.

Madagascar – The fourth-largest island in the world, covering about 587,000 km² (226,600 sq mi). Population: about 30 million. Famous for its unique wildlife, such as lemurs.

Comoros – A volcanic archipelago in the Mozambique Channel, about 2,235 km² (863 sq mi). Population: around 850,000. Known for its spice trade and stunning coasts.

Mauritius – Located east of Madagascar, about 2,040 km² (788 sq mi). Population: about 1.3 million. Famous for its multicultural society, beaches, and coral reefs.

30. What U.S. state has the most volcanoes?

Alaska has more than 130 volcanoes and volcanic fields, most of them part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire.”

31. In what country were the Hanging Gardens of Babylon located?

The Hanging Gardens were said to be in Babylon, in present-day Iraq. They were one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, though their actual existence is debated by historians.

32. What was Constantinople renamed to?

Istanbul. The city officially changed its name in 1930 after Turkey adopted the Latin alphabet, though locals had long used “Istanbul,” meaning “to the city” in Greek.

33. The Inca city of Machu Picchu is in what country?

Machu Picchu is in Peru. Built in the 15th century, it sits at 2,430 meters (7,970 feet) above sea level and is one of the most iconic archaeological sites in the world.

34. Who built the Colosseum?

The Romans, under Emperor Vespasian, began construction around 70 CE. Completed under Titus in 80 CE, it could seat 50,000–80,000 spectators for gladiatorial games.

35. What ancient wonder stood in Alexandria, Egypt?

The Lighthouse of Alexandria, also called the Pharos of Alexandria. Built in the 3rd century BCE, it was estimated at 100–130 meters (330–430 feet) tall and guided sailors for centuries.

36. The Moai statues are found on which island?

On Easter Island (Rapa Nui, Chile). These massive stone figures, carved between 1250–1500 CE, average about 4 meters (13 feet) tall, with the largest reaching over 10 meters.

37. The Terracotta Army was discovered in which country?

In China, near Xi’an. Built to guard the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang (3rd century BCE), over 8,000 life-sized clay soldiers, horses, and chariots have been uncovered.

38. Which civilization invented democracy?

The Ancient Greeks. Around the 5th century BCE, Athens developed the first form of direct democracy, where citizens voted on laws and policies.

39. Petra, the “Rose City,” is in what modern country?

Jordan. Petra was the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom and is famous for its rock-cut architecture, including Al-Khazneh (The Treasury).

40. Which European city was divided by a wall until 1989?

Berlin, Germany. The Berlin Wall separated East and West Berlin from 1961 to 1989, becoming a symbol of the Cold War.

41. Angkor Wat is located in which country?

Cambodia. Built in the early 12th century as a Hindu temple, it later became a Buddhist site and is the largest religious monument in the world.

42. What ancient road connected Rome to the southern parts of Italy?

The Appian Way (Via Appia). Built in 312 BCE, it was one of the earliest and most important Roman roads, stretching 563 kilometers (350 miles).

43. Which city was once known as Edo?

Tokyo, Japan. The name changed to Tokyo (“Eastern Capital”) in 1868 when the Emperor moved the capital from Kyoto.

44. The Silk Road primarily connected China with which region?

With the Mediterranean. The Silk Road was a network of trade routes spanning 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles), linking East Asia with Europe and the Middle East.

INTERESTING FACT – The Silk Road began during the Han Dynasty in China, when Emperor Wu (Han Wudi) officially opened trade with the West around 130 BCE after the explorations of the envoy Zhang Qian. The routes evolved over centuries, flourishing for more than 1,500 years, until maritime trade routes in the Age of Exploration (15th–16th centuries) gradually overshadowed them.

45. The Acropolis is found in which city?

Athens, Greece. The Acropolis is an ancient citadel containing famous structures such as the Parthenon, built in the 5th century BCE.

46. What city is home to the Blue Mosque?

Istanbul, Turkey. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque, was completed in 1616 and is named for the 20,000 blue Iznik tiles decorating its interior.

47. The Mayans lived in what region of the world?

In Mesoamerica, covering parts of modern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. They were known for advanced astronomy, mathematics, and their writing system.

48. Which empire was ruled by Genghis Khan?

The Mongol Empire, established in 1206. At its peak, it became the largest contiguous land empire in history, spanning from Eastern Europe to East Asia.

49. Timbuktu, famous for its manuscripts, is in which country?

Mali. During the 15th and 16th centuries, it was a major center of Islamic learning, with thousands of ancient manuscripts preserved in libraries.

50. Where would you find the ruins of Troy?

In Turkey. Ancient Troy is near modern Hisarlik, in northwestern Turkey, made famous by Homer’s Iliad.

51. Which modern city was once called Byzantium?

Istanbul, Turkey. Founded as Byzantium in the 7th century BCE, it later became Constantinople under the Romans and Byzantines.

52. Who built the Taj Mahal and why?

The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Completed in 1648, the white marble mausoleum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

53. What was the original purpose of Stonehenge?

Stonehenge in England was likely used for ceremonial or astronomical purposes. Built around 3000–2000 BCE, its alignment with the solstices suggests it was an ancient calendar or religious site.

54. What is the only country in the world with more lakes than the rest of the world combined?

Canada. It has an estimated 879,000 lakes, containing nearly 20% of the world’s freshwater supply.

55. What ancient city was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius?

Pompeii, in Italy. In 79 CE, the eruption buried Pompeii under volcanic ash, preserving homes, frescoes, and even people in remarkable detail.

56. What is the capital of Canada?

Ottawa. Chosen in 1857 by Queen Victoria for its strategic location, it lies on the Ottawa River in Ontario.

57. Which country has two capitals: La Paz and Sucre?

Bolivia. Sucre is the constitutional capital, but La Paz is the seat of government and executive capital, at 3,640 meters (11,942 feet), making it one of the highest capitals in the world.

58. What is the only country that starts with the letter “O”?

Oman. Located on the Arabian Peninsula, Oman is known for its desert landscapes, wadis, and historic trading ports.

59. Which country’s flag is the only one not rectangular?

Nepal. Its flag is made of two triangular pennants, symbolizing the Himalayas, with the sun and moon representing permanence.

60. What country used to be called Persia?

Iran. The name officially changed in 1935, though “Persia” is still used culturally to describe the region’s ancient civilization.

61. Which city is known as the City of a Hundred Spires?

Prague, Czech Republic. The nickname refers to the city’s many Gothic and Baroque church towers.

62. Which capital is the highest in the world by elevation?

La Paz, Bolivia, at about 3,640 meters (11,942 feet). Some districts even climb to 4,000 meters, making it the highest administrative capital.

63. Which country is home to the world’s oldest desert?

Namibia, where the Namib Desert is at least 55–80 million years old. Its towering sand dunes are among the tallest in the world, some reaching nearly 400 meters (1,300 feet).

64. What is the only country located on both the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn?

Brazil. Its vast territory covers both these major latitudinal lines, giving it immense biodiversity.

65. Which country is home to the world’s oldest desert?

Namibia, where the Namib Desert is at least 55–80 million years old. Its towering sand dunes are among the tallest in the world, some reaching nearly 400 meters (1,300 feet).

66. What is the largest waterfall system in the world?

The Iguazu Falls, on the border of Argentina and Brazil. It consists of 275 separate drops over nearly 2.7 kilometers (1.7 miles). The tallest drop is 82 meters (269 feet), but the system is wider and more dramatic than Niagara Falls

67. Which European country has no rivers?

Vatican City has no natural rivers. The Tiber River flows nearby in Rome, but inside Vatican City’s 0.49 square kilometers, there are no natural watercourses.

68. What African country was formerly called Abyssinia?

Ethiopia. The name Abyssinia was commonly used in Europe until the 20th century, but Ethiopians have long called their country “Ityopya.” Ethiopia is one of the few African nations never fully colonized.

69. Which city is home to the Prado Museum?

Madrid, Spain. The Prado is one of the world’s premier art galleries, housing masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, and many more.

70. What island country lies east of India and was once called Ceylon?

Sri Lanka. The name was changed from Ceylon to Sri Lanka in 1972 after gaining independence from Britain.

71. Which country has the world’s tallest building?

United Arab Emirates. Dubai is home to the Burj Khalifa, which stands at 828 meters (2,717 feet), the tallest structure ever built.

72. What is the capital of Mongolia?

Ulaanbaatar. Located at 1,350 meters (4,430 feet) above sea level, it’s one of the coldest capital cities in the world.

73. Which European country has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

Italy. It has over 55 UNESCO sites, ranging from Roman ruins to Renaissance cities.

74. What is the only country in the world that is also a continent?

Australia. It is both the smallest continent and the sixth-largest country in the world by area. (based on the 7-continent theory)

75. Which countries share a border with Brazil?

Brazil borders 10 countries and 1 territory in South America, more than any other nation on the continent. They are:

• Argentina
• Bolivia
• Colombia
• Guyana
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Suriname
• Uruguay
• Venezuela
• French Guiana (overseas territory of France)

👉 The only South American countries that do not border Brazil are Chile and Ecuador.

76. Which two European countries share the Pyrenees Mountains?

Spain and France. The Pyrenees stretch for about 491 kilometers (305 miles), forming a natural border between the two nations.

77. Which Middle Eastern country touches both the Mediterranean and the Red Sea?

Egypt. The Sinai Peninsula gives Egypt coastlines on both seas.

78. What is the smallest country in Africa by area?

Seychelles. This island nation in the Indian Ocean has a total area of just 459 square kilometers (177 square miles).

79. Which city is often called the “Venice of the North”?

Amsterdam, Netherlands. The city has over 100 kilometers (62 miles) of canals, earning it the nickname. Other cities, like Bruges and Stockholm, also claim the title.

80. Which Caribbean country shares an island with Haiti?

The Dominican Republic. Both nations occupy the island of Hispaniola.

81. Which city has the busiest airport in the world by passengers?

Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport handles over 100 million passengers annually.

82. Where can you cross from Europe to Asia on foot?

Istanbul, Turkey. The Bosporus Bridge (15 July Martyrs Bridge) connects the European and Asian sides of the city.

83. What is the largest salt flat in the world?

Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia. Covering about 10,582 square kilometers (4,086 square miles), it looks like a giant mirror after rainfall and holds the world’s largest reserve of lithium.

84. What is the coldest inhabited place on Earth?

Oymyakon, Russia. This Siberian village has recorded temperatures as low as −67.7°C (−89.9°F).

85. Which country has the world’s longest coastline?

Canada. Its coastline stretches about 202,080 kilometers (125,187 miles), longer than any other country’s.

86. Where is the world’s northernmost capital city?

Reykjavik, Iceland. At 64°N, it’s the northernmost capital of a sovereign nation.

87. Which European country has more sheep than people?

Iceland. With about 360,000 people and over 800,000 sheep, sheep outnumber humans more than 2 to 1.

88. Which country has the highest average elevation in the world?

Bhutan. Its average elevation is about 3,280 meters (10,760 feet) above sea level. The country is almost entirely mountainous, with the Himalayas covering most of its territory.

89. Which island group belongs to Spain but lies off the northwest coast of Africa?

The Canary Islands. Although geographically closer to Morocco, they are politically part of Spain.

90. Which country produces the most coffee?

Brazil. It has been the world’s largest coffee producer for over 150 years, accounting for about 40% of global supply.

91. Where is the Dead Sea located?

Between Israel and Jordan. It is about 430 meters (1,411 feet) below sea level, the lowest point on Earth’s surface. Its hypersaline water makes floating effortless.

92. Which country is home to Mount Everest?

Nepal. Everest’s summit reaches 8,849 meters (29,032 feet), the tallest point on Earth. The mountain also straddles the border with Tibet, China.

93. Which city has canals instead of streets in many parts?

Venice, Italy. With 177 canals and more than 400 bridges, Venice is famous for its gondolas and waterways.

94. What country is home to the world’s tallest statue?

India. The Statue of Unity, depicting Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, stands at 182 meters (597 feet) in Gujarat, completed in 2018.

95. Which city is called the Eternal City?

Rome, Italy. The nickname comes from the belief that Rome would last forever, as proclaimed by the ancient Romans.

96. What is the tallest mountain outside the Himalayas?

Aconcagua in Argentina. Located in the Andes, it rises to 6,961 meters (22,838 feet), making it the highest peak in South America and the second-highest of the Seven Summits after Everest.

97. Which city has a leaning tower?

Pisa, Italy. The Leaning Tower of Pisa began tilting during construction in the 12th century due to unstable soil. It leans at about 4 degrees today.

98. Which country has the highest average elevation in the world?

Bhutan. Its average elevation is about 3,280 meters (10,760 feet) above sea level. The country is almost entirely mountainous, with the Himalayas covering most of its territory.

99. What island country’s name means “Sunday” in Portuguese?

Dominica. Christopher Columbus named it after the day of the week he spotted it in 1493—“Domingo” meaning Sunday.

100. Which African desert is known as the “Skeleton Coast”?

The Namib Desert in Namibia. Its coastline is called the Skeleton Coast because of whale bones and shipwrecks scattered along its foggy shores.

101. What is the only sea with no coastline?

The Sargasso Sea, in the North Atlantic Ocean. It has no land boundaries; instead, it’s defined by surrounding ocean currents. It’s famous for its floating mats of sargassum seaweed.

102. Which country has the world’s deepest canyon?

Peru is home to the Cotahuasi Canyon, at 3,354 meters (11,004 feet) deep. That’s more than twice the depth of the Grand Canyon in the U.S.

103. What is the world’s largest bay?

The Bay of Bengal. Spanning approximately 2.2 million square kilometers (839,000 square miles), it borders India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, and is renowned for its intense monsoons.

104. Which country is home to the world’s oldest desert?

Namibia, where the Namib Desert is at least 55–80 million years old. Its towering sand dunes are among the tallest in the world, some reaching nearly 400 meters (1,300 feet).

105. What is the largest waterfall system in the world?

The Iguazu Falls, on the border of Argentina and Brazil. It consists of 275 separate drops over nearly 2.7 kilometers (1.7 miles). The tallest drop is 82 meters (269 feet), but the system is wider and more dramatic than Niagara Falls.

Final thoughts

Travel isn’t only about packing a bag and boarding a plane—it can also be about curiosity, learning, and seeing the world in new ways. For me, putting together these questions was not just fun, but also a reminder to slow down and notice the details I often overlook. If you’re anything like me, you might even use this as a little memory workout along the way.

Whether you’re preparing for a trivia night, testing yourself, or simply indulging in some armchair travel, I hope this quiz inspires you to keep exploring—both the world around you and the one waiting just beyond your imagination.

Did you like the Quiz? Let me know in the comments below if you would like more quizzes for different topics! 😉