Can You Pass This Difficult North American Geography Quiz?

By: Heather Cahill
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Can You Pass This Difficult North American Geography Quiz?
Image: KeithBinns/E+/Getty Images

About This Quiz

How many landmarks located in North America can you recall? From Canada all the way down to the Caribbean, there are many great places to check out on the continent. There are countless unique physical features of the continent that can't be found anywhere else. Where else can you get a glimpse of something as gorgeous as the Grand Canyon? Think you're an expert on all the geography in North America?

At one point, all the continents in the world were all one large land mass called Pangea. Did you know that at one time, most of the North American continent was known as "Laurentia?" To ace this quiz, you'll need to know major cities, landmarks and parks around the continent. Don't forget the many countries that make it up. Although you may often think of North America as a combination of Canada, the United States and Mexico, there is much more to it. It can be helpful to know the most major geographical areas and regions as well.

So, if you think you know all there is to know about North America, then this quiz was made just for you! Take it to prove that you're a champ at North American geography!

Which river flows through the Grand Canyon?
Rio Grande
Willamette
Platte
Colorado
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Colorado River flows through a large part of the United States. Starting at the Rockies, it eventually makes its way through the Grand Canyon.

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The capital city of Nicaragua is what?
Managua
Hamilton
Mexico City
Kingstown
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The city is filled with beautiful buildings and a lot of history. Despite the buildings, there is plenty of farmland, which is important to the city's economy. Don't forget to stop by Lake Nicaragua if you're ever visiting!

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What are the cordilleras?
A large set of lakes
A group of cities
A mountain range
Geysers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A cordillera is a mountain range, but not a specific one. It can be used in reference to ranges such as the Rocky Mountains. In fact, the Rockies are likely one of the most famous cordilleras in North America.

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Of the following mountains, which is an active volcano?
Mount MacKenzie
Mount Fairweather
Mount Bona
Gannett Peak
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mount MacKenzie is an active volcano, but that doesn't stop anyone from visiting it! Active volcanoes have erupted within the last 10,000 years.

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How many Great Lakes are there in North America?
Two
Three
Five
Ten
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are five Great Lakes in the world, and they are all located in North America. The lakes are quite significant, as they are a large source of fresh water. In fact, they're the largest source of fresh water in the world!

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Which of the following areas is not part of North America?
Panama
Iceland
Saint Lucia
El Salvador
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although Greenland is part of North America, Iceland is considered to be part of Europe. Greenland is situated much closer to North America than its European counterpart, which makes it North American territory.

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The St. Lawrence River runs through which country?
Canada
United States
Mexico
Cuba
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The St. Lawrence River runs through a large part of Eastern Canada. It also runs through some major cities, such as Montreal and Morristown, until it hits the United States—specifically, New York state.

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Do you know which body of water separates North America from Asia?
The Bering Strait
The Dead Sea
The St. Lawrence River
The Gulf of Mexico
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Bering Strait is the body of water that separates the two continents. It touches Alaska and is often thought to be the method Native Americans used to make their way to America. At one point, there was thought to be land that stretched across the strait.

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Where is the Denali located?
Alberta
Quebec
Alaska
Newfoundland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Denali is known for being one of the highest mountains in North America. At one time, this mountain was not even known as the Denali, but rather as Mount McKinley. You may recognize that name, and it's because there was a presidential candidate who inspired it.

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The Naj Tunich is located where?
Canada
Greenland
Antigua and Barbuda
Guatemala
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Naj Tunich is a cave filled with ancient history. Not only is the cave filled with paintings and depictions from ancient times, but it is also associated with many different artifacts. It's a true treasure of North America.

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Yosemite Falls is located in which state?
Montana
New York
Nevada
California
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Yosemite Falls is one gorgeous stop to make if you're ever in California! It's in Yosemite National Park, where you can also catch the Horsetail Falls, which look as if they are burning at certain time of the year.

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Can you name the two countries that the Rocky Mountains are in?
Barbados and St. Lucia
Martinique and Bermuda
Canada and the United States
Greenland and Iceland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canada and the United States are home to the Rockies, which span all over multiple provinces and states. One great place to get a look at these gorgeous mountains is in Banff, Alberta. Colorado also gives quite the amazing view!

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How many countries are in North America?
23
18
50
78
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are 23 countries in North America, as it stretches over a vast area of the world! From Canada in the north, all the way down to the Caribbean in the south and out to Greenland. Think you can name all of the countries?

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Which of the following physiographic regions is not part of North America?
The Canadian Shield
Laurentian Upland
Appalachia
Sea
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The physiographic regions of North America are important because they divide the area into areas of similar land. And seas aren't land to be divided!

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The largest portion of Reindeer Lake lies in which province?
Quebec
British Columbia
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Reindeer Lake is one of the largest in Canada and is also largely located in Saskatchewan. It's a popular fishing spot as well as a great place for a vacation in a lodge. The best part is that it's all fresh water!

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How many waterfalls make up Niagara Falls?
One
Ten
Three
Twenty
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although it may appear to be one, three waterfalls make up the famous landmark. They are called the Bridal Veil Falls, Horseshoe Falls and American Falls. If you're feeling daring, you can even take a trip over the falls in a barrel, but we wouldn't recommend it!

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What national park is the largest in North America?
Northeast Greenland National Park
Grand Teton National Park
Wood Buffalo National Park
Acadia National Park
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Wood Buffalo National Park is the largest in North America, and you can visit it in both a province and a territory: Alberta and the Northwest Territories. It's known for being a great home for the bison and animals who live there.

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Which North American country is the largest in the continent?
United States
Aruba
Russia
Canada
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although Canada isn't the largest country in the world, it is the largest in North America. When it comes down to it, Canada isn't much bigger than the United States. The difference between them is just over 100,000 kilometers.

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Can you name the most-populous city in North America?
New York City
Los Angeles
Mexico City
Toronto
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mexico City is home to over 8 million people, which rivals New York City quite closely: There's around a 200,000 person difference between the two cities. After these two in credibly large cities, Los Angeles comes in third, with only 4 million people.

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What country is landlocked in North America?
Mexico
Anguilla
Grenada
No country is landlocked.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In North America, no country is landlocked. Canada, the United States and Mexico are all touching the sea, and much of the other land included in the area are islands which are accessible to the sea as well.

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Where would you find Chichen Itza?
Mexico
Montserrat
Grenada
Guatemala
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Chichen Itza is an incredible piece of history that can give us a glimpse into the past. History buffs can get a glimpse of the Kulkulkan Pyramid, an impressive piece of architecture with some interesting "Easter eggs."

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If you wanted to visit Redwood National Park, where would you go?
California
Montana
Utah
Ohio
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Redwood National Park is known for many things, but most notably for being home to some of the tallest trees in the world. It's also possible to catch a glimpse of many different species of animals.

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Do you know where the famous Crater Lake is located?
Oregon
Nebraska
Indiana
Idaho
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Oregon is home to the collapsed volcano now known as the famed Crater Lake. The volcano is dormant, so luckily we can visit it without any danger in the foreseeable future. It's one beautiful sight!

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What is the longest river in North America?
Kootenay River
Hudson River
Columbia River
Mississippi River
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Mississippi River is over 3,300 kilometers long. It connects to other waterways to make a large continuous flow of water. Not far behind comes the Mackenzie River, which is also known for its great length.

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The smallest desert in North America is which of the following?
Carcross Desert
Sonoran Desert
Colorado Plateau
Great Basin Desert
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When you think of a desert, one in the Yukon probably doesn't come to your mind! But not only is the Carcross Desert the smallest in North America, it's also the smallest in the world. It's easy to enjoy the one mile of land that it lays on.

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What is the capital city of Canada?
Ottawa
Toronto
Vancouver
Winnipeg
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ottawa is not only the capital of Canada, but also the home of the Canadian government. There are countless government buildings in the city that provide many jobs for residents. You can also visit the Rideau Canal!

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If you were to visit the Space Needle, where would you need to go?
Moose Jaw
San Diego
Seattle
Phoenix
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Space Needle is part of the Seattle Skyline. Although it was built for the World Fair in the mid-1900s, it's currently used for observation purposes. It is one incredible view, although it doesn't really reach space!

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What is the biggest mall in North America?
South Coast Plaza
The Galleria
West Edmonton Mall
King of Prussia Mall
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The West Edmonton Mall is one that you have to visit at some point in your life! If you love shopping and fun, then it's quite the experience: Not many malls have a full theme park inside of their walls.

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Do you know the name of one of San Francisco's most famous bridges?
Mackinac Bridge
Confederation Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Golden Gate Bridge was once thought impossible, but its existence proves that if you set your mind to something, it can be done! Thanks to the hard work in building it, San Francisco has one important piece of history that makes them stand out.

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Where would you find the Black Hole of Andros?
Canada
Mexico
United States
Bahamas
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Black Hole of Andros is one very interesting part of North America. In fact, it can give us a little taste of what Earth's oceans were like millions of years ago through the oxygen-free water. It may look like ordinary water on top, but there is so much to be uncovered underneath the surface.

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What is the Grand Prismatic Spring?
An amusement park
A national park
A city
A hot spring
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Deep in Yellowstone National Park lies the biggest hot spring in the United States, the Grand Prismatic Spring. It's an incredible sight with an array of colors surrounding it and a beautiful backdrop.

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One unique thing about the Steamboat Geyser is what?
It's the tallest in the world.
It's in the middle of the ocean.
It has erupted only three times in history.
It's red when it erupts.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Another awesome landmark in the Yellowstone National Park is the Steamboat Geyser. It's the largest in the world and quite the sight! In 2018, it even set a record for having the most documented eruptions in one year, setting it at 30 in total.

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Is it true or false that North America is the third-largest continent in the world by area?
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is true. North America comes in behind both Asia and Africa, which are the largest of all of the continents. In contrast, the smallest continent is Australia. Despite having 23 countries within its borders, America's total population does not beat Asia's either.

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Where would you find L'Anse aux Meadows?
Alaska
Cuba
Newfoundland
Panama
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It might seem odd to find an ancient Norse settlement on the shores of Canada, but L'Anse aux Meadows proves it! Today, it's still possible to see the remains of the settlement, although it looks much different than it would have when it was first built.

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The city of Port Royal can be found where?
Jamaica
Mexico
Greenland
United States
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Once a bustling pirate town in Jamaica, Port Royal was sunk into the sea due to earthquakes and other natural disasters. The famous Henry Morgan made his way to this city and became the governor, passing away before the city went under the sea.

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