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.
A Humbling Geography Test
[via Timothy Burke at Easily Distracted]
Civil War Memory has moved to Substack! Don’t miss a single post. Subscribe below.
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.
Level 10, IQ 113, score 386,262.
I’m surprised I remember that much geography, really.
Billy Yank, — Very impressive!
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
Steve, — It’s nice to hear from you. Hope all is well up in Michigan.
My undergraduate geography minor finally came in handy! Score: 475,880 IQ: 123
I made the mistake of sharing this with my wife. She now carries around a world map wherever she goes.
Who knows all that stuff about Canada anyway?!?
Surinam?
Mannie