A Question of Geography Trivia Quiz

Answer: Latvia

Latvia is a democratic parliamentary republic that was established in 1918 after World War I. It is a country with a complicated history in the 20th century after being forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940, invaded by Nazi Germany in 1941 and then again being made a part of the USSR in 1944. On August 21, 1991 Latvia once again regained its independence after years of political campaigning.

The country has a maritime border with Sweden and land borders with Lithuania, Belarus, Estonia, and Russia. Latvia is a beautiful country of vast forests, fields, and pastures. Riga is the largest city in Latvia and serves as the nation's capital.

Answer: Iceland

Iceland is one of the most fascinating countries of Northern Europe. It is also one of the most barren countries which has led to the country taking significant steps to repopulating the land with trees and forests. Iceland is home to the largest glacier in Europe the Vatnajokull Glacier. The highest point is Hvannadalshnukur at 2,119m. Another cool fact is Iceland is the first country in the world to elect a democratically chosen female president in Vigdis Finnbogadottir.

Answer: Turkey

Istanbul, the former capital of Turkey, is located in a significant part of south-eastern Europe. The Bosphorus is a waterway 30km long and 700m wide. This river runs directly through Istanbul and connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara. The city is located in both Asia and Europe with the Bosphorus Bridge and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge connecting the two continents. Tiger Woods once was a part of a publicity stunt where he drove balls from Europe into Asia from tees set up on one of the bridges.

Answer: Hungary

Following World War II, the economy of Hungary crumbled causing hyper-inflation and making the currency almost worthless. The banks issued notes worth one quintillion pengo which was the highest denomination ever issued. The Hungarian language is known as Magyar and amazingly over a third of those that speak Hungarian live outside of Hungary. Hungary is completely land-locked in central Europe. The country is surrounded by Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania, Austria, Serbia, Croatia, and Ukraine.

Answer: Ukraine

Ukraine sits on the shores of both the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The country is bordered by seven others including Belarus, Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, and Slovakia. The capital city of the Ukraine is Kiev. The Ukraine is also the European country that grew notoriety following the 1986 nuclear disaster in Chernobyl.

Answer: Azerbaijan

The Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan is another European country with a politically complicated past. It became an independent country in 1918 before being incorporated into the USSR two years later. Then in 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet states it once more became an autonomous nation.

At the cross-roads to Asia, Azerbaijan borders Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Russia, and Turkey. Baku is the capital of the country and earned the right to host the first ever European Games in Sport in 2015.

Answer: Norway

Norway is officially designated as a kingdom similarly to near neighbors Sweden and Denmark. Norway has a 1,000 mile border with Sweden and northern borders with Finland and Russia. The capital of Norway is Oslo. Norway is known as the land of glaciers and fjords. The world's longest fjord, Sognefjorden, is located in Norway.

Answer: Israel

Israel is geographically located in the heart of the middle east. The country shares land borders with Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, and the contentious lands of Palestine. The financial center of the country is Tel Aviv and the nation's capital is Jerusalem. Due to its proximity to Europe, Israel is permitted to compete in FIFA World Cup qualifying in the European group. Israel has also been a competitor in the Eurovision song contest which is a singing competition with entries from all European countries.

Answer: Albania

The Republic of Albania is located in southeastern Europe and is bordered by Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Montenegro. Albania has a Mediterranean climate and has borders on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. The country also has three of the deepest tectonic lakes on the Balkan Peninsula that partially fall within its borders: Lake Shkoder, Ohrid Lake, and Butrinti Lake.

The Balkan Lynx is a the largest member of the cat family in the Balkan states. The animal is critically endangered with estimates of less than 30 animals remaining in the wild in Albania and perhaps some parts of Macedonia in the second decade of the 21st century.

Answer: Lithuania

Vilnius is the largest city in Lithuania and the second largest city found within the Baltic states. The architecture of Vilnius is stunning and persuaded Napoleon in 1812 to call it the "Jerusalem of the North." In 2009, the city earned the distinction of being named the European Capital of Culture. Lithuania is bordered by Latvia, Belarus, and Poland and is a member of the European Union.