World Geography Quiz

World Geography: Mapping Our Planet

Geography is the study of Earth's physical features, human-made divisions, and the relationships between people and their environments. The world can be divided into physical geography (natural features: mountains, rivers, oceans, deserts, climate zones) and human geography (political borders, cities, cultural landscapes, economic patterns). Understanding world geography is fundamental to understanding history, global politics, economics, and environmental science.

Some key geographic superlatives: the Amazon River carries 20% of all the fresh water that flows into the world's oceans; the Sahara Desert is the world's largest hot desert (over 9 million square kilometers, roughly the size of the United States); the Himalayan mountain range contains 30 of the world's 50 highest peaks; the Pacific Ocean alone is larger than all of Earth's landmasses combined; and Lake Baikal in Siberia, Russia, contains approximately 20% of the world's surface fresh water. Try the Geography Quiz for a broader test, or challenge yourself with the World Capitals Quiz.

Political geography changes regularly as borders shift and new nations are created. Since 1990, dozens of new countries have emerged: the Soviet Union's dissolution created 15 new nations; Yugoslavia's breakup created 6 - 7; Czechoslovakia peacefully split into Czech Republic and Slovakia; and South Sudan became the world's newest widely recognized country in 2011. Currently, there are 195 recognized sovereign nations - 193 UN members plus Vatican City and Kosovo - Though many territories are disputed or seek independence. The largest country by land area is Russia (17.1 million km²); the smallest is Vatican City (0.44 km²).