A Humbling Geography Test

[via Timothy Burke at Easily Distracted]

If you have a few minutes (you are reading this blog which suggests that you have plenty of time) check out The Traveler IQ Challenge.  I was both pleasantly surprised by what I know and horrified by what I thought I knew about the location of major cities, capitals, and significant historic sites.  On the world map challenge, and after a few attempts, I managed to complete 9 of 12 levels.  The precision of the placement of the flags and the measurement of how far you are from the actual destination is both rewarding and potentially embarrassing.  I had the most difficulty with Africa and the islands in the South Pacific.  Apart from Egypt and South Africa I was struck by how little I know about the geography of these two places.  Even when I had placed the flag within the correct national boundaries I was usually way off the mark. The nice thing about this little test is that it does help you learn some of the more obscure places; no doubt the unfamiliarity with certain languages makes it extremely difficult to even identify the correct hemisphere.  Finally, the simplicity of placing flags on a map and the race against the clock makes this mildly addicting.  So give it a shot.

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9 comments… add one
  • GreenmanTim Jan 2, 2008 @ 20:30

    Level 11 44620. Blew a couple of Russian cities badly, but those years in Africa paid off. Hit Fenway Park within 40 kilometers, which at this scale is no mean feat.

  • Jeremy Young Jan 1, 2008 @ 21:16

    Level 10, IQ 113, score 386,262.

    I’m surprised I remember that much geography, really.

  • Kevin Dec 29, 2007 @ 20:34

    Billy Yank, — Very impressive!

  • Billy Yank Dec 29, 2007 @ 19:42

    I used to teach Geography…IQ 111, 365,677…finally paying off.

    I would love to see what my kids get when we get back after the holidays.

    Billy

  • Kevin Dec 28, 2007 @ 16:34

    Steve, — It’s nice to hear from you. Hope all is well up in Michigan.

  • Steven Ramold Dec 28, 2007 @ 15:19

    My undergraduate geography minor finally came in handy! Score: 475,880 IQ: 123

  • Kevin Dec 28, 2007 @ 11:54

    I made the mistake of sharing this with my wife. She now carries around a world map wherever she goes.

  • John Maass Dec 28, 2007 @ 6:58

    Who knows all that stuff about Canada anyway?!?

  • Mannie Gentile Dec 27, 2007 @ 16:04

    Surinam?

    Mannie

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