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Issue Date: July 27, 2003
THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC-USA WEEKEND WORLD QUIZ
with an introduction by Lisa Ling
I don't profess to be an expert in geography; in fact, I know I have a lot to learn. But becoming better versed in the subject has become a mission of mine.
We've all heard the statistics: Americans just don't know their geography. According to a recent National Geographic-Roper survey, more young Americans could name the location featured on TV's "Survivor" than could find Israel on a map. (At least they had heard of the Marquesas Islands, the show's exotic South Pacific locale.)
The truth is that it never has been easier to get to know the world. After all, access to information is available. It's simply a matter of seeking it out.
It's also more important than ever before. As the world globalizes and countries become more reliant on the products and services of other nations, the need for better geographic perspective is essential. It's worth knowing where our troops are being sent, or where SARS outbreaks are cropping up. It's worth knowing that when you report a lost credit card, your call may be routed to a service center in Bangalore or New Delhi, India, where wages are less and people have a satisfactory command of the English language. And it's worth dreaming of far-flung destinations you can visit.
Another thing National Geographic learned in its study is that a person who travels abroad, uses the Internet and gets his or her news from multiple sources is much more likely to know more about the globe.
Personally, enhancing my awareness of geography has made me a much more well-rounded person. I can go into any situation in any country, and my experience is more meaningful (I'm actually writing this in Nepal, where I'm on assignment for my new MSNBC series, National Geographic's Ultimate Explorer). Most important, though, is that it's fun to be enlightened and have my perspective broadened. If you don't know where you are, how will you know where you're going?
Take our USA WEEKEND-National Geographic quiz here, and find out how you rate.
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Test your GeoSmarts with these 46 questions:
1. Put the Western Hemisphere nations these flags represent in geographical order from north to south.
2. A Utah national park on the Colorado River is named for  the natural rock formations (shown) that abound there. What is the park called?
Match each of these cities to its description:
3. Liverpool ____________
4. Mexico City ____________
5. Lyon ____________
6. Samarkand ____________
7. Baltimore ____________
A. This city is home to Fort McHenry, site of the battle that inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner".
B. This city in eastern France was the capital of Roman Gaul.
C. Located on the famous Silk Road, this city is a popular tourist destination in Uzbekistan.
D. This Latin American capital was built on the site of the Aztec Empire's capital, Tenochtitlán.
E. This English industrial port on the Irish Sea is famous as the birthplace of the Beatles.
8. Claude Monet's "Water Lilies" series is a famous example of Impressionism, a painting style developed by Monet and his contemporaries in which European country? _________________
9. The Kuna, a people known for making colorful cloth designs, are native to the southernmost country in Central America, famous for its canal. Name it. ______________________
On which continent is each of the following found?
10. Mammoth Cave, world's largest cave system
11. Mount Everest, world's highest mountain
12. Great Barrier Reef, world's longest reef
13. Sahara Desert, world's largest desert
14. Lake Titicaca, world's highest large lake
To what country would you travel ...
15. ... to visit St. Basil's Cathedral in Red Square?_______________________________
16. ... to see the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Great Pyramid at Giza?____________
17. ... to attend the Festival of San Fermin at Pamplona?__________________________
18. ... to explore the ancient Maya and Toltec ruins of Chichén Itzá?______________
19. ... to be in the homeland of Genghis Khan?_________________________
Match the capital cities to their countries:
20. Tokyo ______
21. Kiev ______
22. Brasília _______
23. Ottawa _______
24. Addis Ababa _______ |
A. Canada
B. Ethiopia
C. Ukraine
D. Japan
E. Brazil
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25. An enormous, ornate monument to love is in what Asian country that traditionally organized its citizens into a strict caste system?
MULTIPLE CHOICE
26. The Manchu are an ethnic group in what Asian country?
A. Japan
B. China
C. Moldova
D. Nigeria
27. What Asian country, located on the Bay of Bengal, was formerly known as East Pakistan?
A. Nigeria
B. Bangladesh
C. Myanmar
D. Hungary
28. A replica of the ship this explorer used on his journeys can be found on the New York river that bears his name. Name him.
A. Meriwether Lewis
B. John Smith
C. Henry Hudson
D. James Cook
29. Name the politically divided European island that has a Protestant majority in the north and a Catholic majority in the south.
A. Ireland
B. Iceland
C. Sweden
D. Cyprus
30. What is the world's largest island that is not a continent?
A. Long Island
B. Australia
C. Tahiti
D. Greenland
31. Where is the oracle of Zeus at Dodona?
A. Thailand
B. Italy
C. Greece
D. Bangladesh
32. What country's four national languages include Romansch, which is based on Latin?
A. Switzerland
B. Romania
C. Turkey
D. Chile
33. Lake of the Woods is shared by Ontario, Manitoba and which U.S. state?
A. Wisconsin
B. Washington
C. Minnesota
D. New York
34. Which of the following is not in Africa?
A. Chad
B. Andorra
C. Gabon
D. Zimbabwe
35. Which Latin American nation, whose capital is Quito, supplies one-fourth of the world's bananas?
A. Portugal
B. Suriname
C. Bora Bora
D. Ecuador
36. A skyline featuring an unusually shaped opera house, belongs to a city that recently hosted the Olympics. Name the city.
TRUE OR FALSE?
37. The small African country of Lesotho is completely surrounded by South Africa.
38. The United States maintains a naval base on the island of Cuba.
39. Jordan is the most populous country in the Arab world.
40. The country of Sri Lanka is an island.
41. Afghanistan and Pakistan share a border.
42. Tasmania is part of New Zealand.
43. The Canary Islands are in the Caribbean.
44. Seoul is the capital of South Korea.
45. Arizona's Saguaro National Park is named for an indigenous lizard.
46. Denmark is on the Scandinavian Peninsula.
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ANSWERS
Give yourself one point for each correct answer.
1. Canada (D), United States (B), Mexico (C), Argentina (A)
2. Arches National Park
3. E
4. D
5. B
6. C
7. A
8. France
9. Panama
10. North America
11. Asia
12. Australia
13. Africa
14. South America
15. Russia
16. Egypt
17. Spain
18. Mexico
19. Mongolia
20. D
21. C
22. E
23. A
24. B
25. India
26. B
27. B
28. C
29. A
30. D
31. C
32. A
33. C
34. B
35. D
36. Sydney, Australia
37. True
38. True
39. False; it's Egypt.
40. True
41. True
42. False; it's part of Australia.
43. False; they're off the coast of Africa.
44. True
45. False; it's named for a cactus.
46. False; it's on the peninsula of Jutland.
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If you scored ...
37-46: Geographical genius. Bravo. Your knowledge of world geography is truly impressive.
25-36: Geographically competent. You have a better-than-average awareness of geography, but you're not quite a master yet.
13-24: Geographically challenged. Nice try, but no geography cigar.
0-12: Geographically impaired. That globe on your shelf? Give it a spin. It won't bite.
Lisa Ling photograph by Brad Trent for USA WEEKEND
Styling: Samantha Strauss. Hair and makeup: Kelly Nathanson. Clothing on cover: Shirt by Michael Kors, pants by Dolce & Gabbana, shoes by Unisa. Shirt above by Club Monaco.
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