Welcome to our ultimate north america geography quiz, where curiosity meets challenge! This free trivia tests your map skills as you answer north american geography questions about capitals, landmarks, borders, and more. Whether you're a world traveler, a student, or a geography buff, this geography quiz uncovers fun facts and boosts your knowledge of the continent. Start with our engaging north america map quiz for visual explorers, then try the in-depth american geography quiz to master every state and province. Packed with north america trivia and clever twists, this quiz is ideal for solo play or group fun. Ready to score a perfect 100% on this north america quiz and prove your prowess? Dive in now!
What is the capital of Canada?
Vancouver
Toronto
Montreal
Ottawa
Ottawa was selected as the capital of Canada by Queen Victoria in 1857 and serves as the seat of the federal government. It is located in the province of Ontario next to the Ottawa River. The city hosts many national institutions, including the Parliament of Canada and the official residences of the Prime Minister and Governor General. For more details, see Ottawa - Wikipedia.
Which is the largest country by area in North America?
Mexico
Canada
United States
Cuba
Canada covers approximately 9.98 million square kilometers, making it the largest country by area on the North American continent. It spans six time zones and has the longest coastline in the world. The United States is the second largest in the region, followed by Mexico. For more information, see Canada - Wikipedia.
Which river forms part of the border between the United States and Mexico?
Rio Grande
Colorado River
St. Lawrence River
Mississippi River
The Rio Grande flows from the San Juan Mountains in Colorado to the Gulf of Mexico, forming approximately 1,255 kilometers of the US - Mexico border. It is one of the longest rivers in North America. The Colorado River does cross both countries but does not form the border. For more details, see Rio Grande - Wikipedia.
Which of these countries is NOT part of North America?
Brazil
Mexico
Canada
Guatemala
Brazil is located in South America and does not belong to the North American continent. Canada, Mexico, and Guatemala are all part of North America. North America includes Central America and the Caribbean as well as the continental landmass. For more details, see Brazil - Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Mexico?
Tijuana
Guadalajara
Cancún
Mexico City
Mexico City, officially Ciudad de México, has been the political and cultural capital of the country since Aztec times and was re-designated in its current federal form in 1824. It is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. The city hosts the federal government and major national museums. For more information, see Mexico City - Wikipedia.
Which mountain is the highest peak in North America?
Pico de Orizaba
Mount Saint Elias
Denali
Mount Logan
Denali, formerly known as Mount McKinley, reaches an elevation of 6,190 meters and is the tallest mountain in North America. It is located in Alaska within Denali National Park and Preserve. Mount Logan in Canada is the second highest peak on the continent. For more information, see Denali - Wikipedia.
Which is the largest freshwater lake by surface area in North America?
Lake Michigan
Lake Superior
Lake Winnipeg
Lake Huron
Lake Superior spans approximately 82,103 square kilometers and is the largest freshwater lake by surface area in North America and the world. It is one of the five Great Lakes shared by the United States and Canada. Lake Michigan is the second largest by surface area in North America but smaller than Superior. For more details, see Lake Superior - Wikipedia.
Which US state borders both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico?
Florida
Louisiana
Texas
Georgia
Florida is the only US state that touches both the Atlantic Ocean on its eastern side and the Gulf of Mexico on its western side. Its peninsula geography gives it extensive coastlines on both bodies of water. Texas and Louisiana border only the Gulf, while Georgia only borders the Atlantic. For more information, see Florida - Wikipedia.
Which is the smallest country by land area in mainland North America?
El Salvador
Costa Rica
Panama
Belize
El Salvador covers about 21,041 square kilometers, making it the smallest country by land area on the continental landmass of North America. Belize, Costa Rica, and Panama are larger in terms of land area. El Salvador is located in Central America between Guatemala and Honduras. For more information, see El Salvador - Wikipedia.
What is the term for the narrow strip of land connecting North and South America?
Isthmus of Panama
Panamanian Corridor
Central Isthmus
Narrow Passage
The Isthmus of Panama is the slender land bridge that joins North and South America, spanning roughly 80 kilometers at its narrowest point. It is a key geographic feature that also separates the Pacific Ocean from the Caribbean Sea. This landform enabled the construction of the Panama Canal, which revolutionized maritime trade. For more details, see Isthmus of Panama - Wikipedia.
Which North American country has the greatest number of time zones, including territories?
France
United States
Mexico
Canada
The United States spans six primary time zones (Eastern, Central, Mountain, Pacific, Alaska, and Hawaii - Aleutian) plus additional zones for territories such as Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This total exceeds that of any other country in North America. Canada covers six zones but fewer when including only North American territories. For more information, see Time in the United States - Wikipedia.
Which metropolitan area is the most populous in North America?
Mexico City
New York City
Toronto
Los Angeles
The Mexico City metropolitan area has an estimated population of over 21 million people, making it the most populous urban agglomeration in North America. New York City follows closely with around 20 million residents in its metropolitan statistical area. Los Angeles and Toronto have smaller populations by comparison. For more details, see Mexico City Metropolitan Area - Wikipedia.
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Study Outcomes
Identify North American countries and capitals -
After taking the north america geography quiz, readers will accurately name each country and its capital city across the continent.
Locate key geographic features -
Participants will pinpoint major mountain ranges, rivers, and regions on a map of North America with confidence.
Recall regional boundaries and groupings -
Users will understand how North America is divided into subregions and recognize the cultural and political significance of each.
Differentiate neighboring nations -
Quiz takers will distinguish border relationships and relative positions of adjacent countries.
Analyze and interpret map symbols and scales -
Readers will sharpen their map-reading skills by interpreting symbols, scales, and coordinates specific to North America.
Evaluate North America trivia knowledge -
Users will measure their trivia mastery, identify areas for further study, and aim for a perfect score on future geography quizzes.
Cheat Sheet
Countries and Capitals -
Memorize the three largest nations - Canada (Ottawa), the United States (Washington, D.C.), and Mexico (Mexico City) - by using the simple "COM" mnemonic (Canada, Ottawa, Mexico). According to the CIA World Factbook, these capitals represent the political hubs for over 85% of North America's population. Mastering these key pairings will give you a solid advantage on any north america geography quiz.
UN Subregions -
Understand North America's division into Northern America, Central America, and the Caribbean as defined by the United Nations Geoscheme. This tripartite breakdown helps organize countries by cultural and geographic traits - from Canada's tundra to Panama's tropics. Spotting each nation's subregion will boost your score on a north america quiz by framing questions in context.
Major Mountain Ranges -
The Rocky Mountains, Appalachian Mountains, and Sierra Madre ranges shape the continent's backbone. Use the "RAS" mnemonic (Rockies, Appalachians, Sierra) to recall elevation zones from north to south. Data from the U.S. Geological Survey shows these chains influence climate patterns and river sources across North America.
Great Lakes & Water Bodies -
Familiarize yourself with the five Great Lakes - Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior - by using the "HOMES" mnemonic. Also note major water features like the Gulf of Mexico and Hudson Bay, as outlined by NOAA. Recognizing these bodies of water is crucial for geography quiz questions on continental drainage and trade routes.
Time Zones & Longitude -
North America spans six time zones from UTC-10 (Hawaii) to UTC-3 (Atlantic Canada), with the continental U.S. covering four key zones: Pacific, Mountain, Central, and Eastern. A handy phrase is "Please Make Coffee Early" to remember the sequence from west to east. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, mastering time zones helps you answer questions about regional coordination and travel across the continent.
