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USA Geography Trivia: 20 Questions on Natural Features
The United States boasts an incredible variety of natural features, from towering mountain ranges to vast deserts and mighty rivers. This collection of 20 geography trivia questions explores some of the most fascinating natural landmarks and geographical features across America. Test your knowledge with these intriguing questions about U.S. geography.
1. What is the highest point in North America?
Denali (formerly Mount McKinley) in Alaska stands at 20,310 feet above sea level, making it the highest peak in North America. It’s located in Denali National Park and experiences some of the coldest weather on Earth.
2. Which U.S. state has the longest coastline?
Alaska has the longest coastline of any U.S. state, stretching for 33,904 miles. This includes the mainland coast and thousands of islands, far exceeding Florida’s 1,350 miles of coastline.
3. What is the lowest point in North America?
Badwater Basin in Death Valley, California, sits at 282 feet below sea level. It’s the lowest point in North America and features fascinating salt flats.
4. Which river forms the border between Texas and Mexico?
The Rio Grande creates a natural border between Texas and Mexico for 1,254 miles. It’s the fifth-longest river system in North America.
5. What is the largest lake entirely within the United States?
Great Salt Lake in Utah is the largest natural lake entirely within U.S. borders, covering approximately 1,700 square miles. It’s also one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world.
6. Which mountain range runs through California, Oregon, and Washington?
The Cascade Range extends for over 700 miles through these three states, featuring notable peaks like Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens.
7. What is America’s longest cave system?
Mammoth Cave in Kentucky is the world’s longest known cave system, with more than 400 miles of surveyed passageways.
8. Which state contains the most active volcanoes?
Alaska has more than 130 active volcanoes, accounting for about 80% of all active volcanoes in the United States.
9. What is the largest desert in the United States?
The Great Basin Desert, covering much of Nevada and parts of Utah, is America’s largest desert at about 190,000 square miles.
10. Which waterfall has the highest single drop in the continental United States?
Yosemite Falls in California has the highest single drop at 2,425 feet, making it North America’s tallest waterfall.
11. What is the longest river system in North America?
The Missouri-Mississippi River system is the longest in North America and fourth-longest in the world, stretching 3,902 miles.
12. Which mountain range is considered the oldest in North America?
The Appalachian Mountains, formed over 480 million years ago, are North America’s oldest mountain range.
13. What is the largest wetland system in the United States?
The Florida Everglades is America’s largest subtropical wilderness, covering approximately 1.5 million acres.
14. Which canyon system is the longest in the world?
The Grand Canyon in Arizona extends for 277 miles, with depths reaching over a mile deep in some places.
15. What is the largest continuous forest in the United States?
The Tongass National Forest in Alaska is America’s largest national forest, covering 16.7 million acres.
16. Which natural arch has the longest span in the world?
Landscape Arch in Arches National Park, Utah, has the longest span of any natural arch at 290 feet.
17. What is the largest hot spring in the United States?
Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park is the largest hot spring in the U.S. and third-largest in the world.
18. Which fault line runs through California?
The San Andreas Fault extends approximately 750 miles through California, forming the boundary between the Pacific and North American tectonic plates.
19. What is the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi River?
Crabtree Falls in Virginia, with a total height of 1,200 feet over multiple cascades, is the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi.
20. Which barrier island is the longest in the world?
Padre Island off the coast of Texas is the world’s longest barrier island, stretching 113 miles along the Gulf of Mexico.
Conclusion
These 20 geographical features demonstrate the incredible natural diversity found within the United States. From towering peaks to deep canyons, extensive cave systems to massive forests, the country’s landscape offers an extraordinary range of natural wonders. Understanding these features helps appreciate the unique geological and geographical heritage of the United States, while also highlighting the importance of preserving these natural landmarks for future generations.