World Explorer: Fun Geography Quiz for Curious Kids

Test your map smarts with 15 kid-friendly geography questions—countries, capitals, landmarks, and more. Ready to travel the world one question at a time?

  1. Which capital city is built on more than 100 small islands connected by bridges?
    1. Copenhagen
    2. Helsinki
    3. Stockholm
    4. Reykjavik
  2. What is the name for a dry region that receives less than 250 mm of rain per year?
    1. Tundra
    2. Savanna
    3. Chaparral
    4. Desert
  3. Which mountain range formed by collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates includes Mount Everest?
    1. Alps
    2. Andes
    3. Rocky Mountains
    4. Himalayas
  4. Which country controls the region of Greenland politically, though it is geographically part of North America?
    1. Norway
    2. Iceland
    3. Canada
    4. Denmark
  5. What large river's delta supports the Nile Delta in Egypt, creating fertile floodplains?
    1. Ganges River
    2. Tigris River
    3. Amazon River
    4. Nile River
  6. Which sea is shrinking due to irrigation diversion from the rivers that feed it, once a large inland lake in Central Asia?
    1. Aral Sea
    2. Caspian Sea
    3. Dead Sea
    4. Lake Balkhash
  7. Which U.S. state contains the Grand Canyon, carved largely by the Colorado River?
    1. Arizona
    2. Utah
    3. Nevada
    4. New Mexico
  8. Which famous volcano's 1980 eruption in Washington state taught scientists about pyroclastic flows and lahar hazards?
    1. Mount St. Helens
    2. Mount Rainier
    3. Mount Hood
    4. Mount Adams

Answers and explanations

  1. Question: Which capital city is built on more than 100 small islands connected by bridges?
    Answer: Stockholm
    Explanation: Stockholm is spread across over 100 islands linked by about 50 bridges, giving it a unique waterfront layout and rich maritime history. The city's island geography helped it become a major trade and cultural center in Scandinavia.
  2. Question: What is the name for a dry region that receives less than 250 mm of rain per year?
    Answer: Desert
    Explanation: A desert is a dry region that gets less than about 250 mm (10 inches) of rain yearly; many deserts have unique plants and animals adapted to scarce water. Deserts are important for studying climate, biodiversity, and human adaptation to harsh environments.
  3. Question: Which mountain range formed by collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates includes Mount Everest?
    Answer: Himalayas
    Explanation: The Himalayas formed when the Indian Plate collided with the Eurasian Plate, pushing up some of the tallest mountains on Earth; Mount Everest sits on the border of Nepal and China and is the highest peak. Fun fact: the Himalayas are still rising by a few millimeters each year due to continuing tect‑
  4. Question: Which country controls the region of Greenland politically, though it is geographically part of North America?
    Answer: Denmark
    Explanation: Denmark governs Greenland as an autonomous territory, handling foreign affairs and defense while Greenland manages many local matters; Greenland is the world’s largest island and has significant strategic and environmental importance.
  5. Question: What large river's delta supports the Nile Delta in Egypt, creating fertile floodplains?
    Answer: Nile River
    Explanation: The Nile River forms the Nile Delta, a broad, fertile triangular area where the river meets the Mediterranean. This delta has supported Egyptian agriculture and civilization for thousands of years due to its rich silt and reliable floods.
  6. Question: Which sea is shrinking due to irrigation diversion from the rivers that feed it, once a large inland lake in Central Asia?
    Answer: Aral Sea
    Explanation: The Aral Sea has dramatically shrunk since the 1960s after rivers feeding it were diverted for irrigation; it's a stark example of how water management can reshape environments and harm local economies. Interestingly, parts of the former seabed are now salty deserts with shipwrecks exposed.
  7. Question: Which U.S. state contains the Grand Canyon, carved largely by the Colorado River?
    Answer: Arizona
    Explanation: The Grand Canyon is in Arizona and was carved mainly by the Colorado River over millions of years. It’s one of the most famous geological landmarks and helps scientists study Earth’s deep past.
  8. Question: Which famous volcano's 1980 eruption in Washington state taught scientists about pyroclastic flows and lahar hazards?
    Answer: Mount St. Helens
    Explanation: Mount St. Helens' 1980 eruption was a landmark event that taught scientists about fast pyroclastic flows and destructive lahars; it reshaped landscapes and improved volcano monitoring worldwide.