Hard Geography Questions Quiz

Explanation
The largest metropolitan area in the world not located near a significant body of water is Mexico City, Mexico. It is situated in the Valley of Mexico, also known as the Basin of Mexico, on the Mexican Plateau. Historically, it was built on Lake Texcoco, but the lake was drained and does not exist as a major body of water anymore, making the city one of the largest inland metropolitan areas.

Explanation
Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, a country located in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia. It is situated on the western shore of the Caspian Sea. The Caspian Sea is the world's largest inland body of water, and Baku is one of the major cities along its coastline. As Azerbaijan's cultural and economic hub, Baku has a rich history and is known for its modern skyline juxtaposed with historic architecture. The city plays a crucial role in the region's geopolitics and has significant importance as an oil-producing and trading center.

Explanation
The correct answer is Manila, Accra, Windhoek, and Paramaribo. These cities are all capital cities of their respective countries. Manila is the capital of the Philippines, Accra is the capital of Ghana, Windhoek is the capital of Namibia, and Paramaribo is the capital of Suriname. St. Petersburg and Lijiang are not capital cities.

Explanation
The correct answer is Baltic Sea. The Kaliningrad Oblast is a Russian exclave located between Poland and Lithuania, with the Baltic Sea to its north and west. Therefore, it is logical to conclude that the Kaliningrad Oblast borders the Baltic Sea.

Explanation
Mongolia has a population density of 2.17 people per square mile. It has a lower population density than the other countries listed. Mongolia is 3 times larger than Thailand. However, with steppe, deserts, and mountains comprising much of Mongolia’s geography, this plays a role in Mongolia's low population and density. Mongolia has 3.2 million people. Half of Mongolia’s population lives in Ulaanbataar. 

Explanation
The Puerto Rico Trench is the second deepest depth in the world. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean and reaches a depth of approximately 8,376 meters. The Mariana Trench holds the title for the deepest depth in the world, making the Puerto Rico Trench the second deepest. The Arctic Basin and Java Trench are not as deep as the Puerto Rico Trench.

Explanation
Iran is the oldest country. This refers to the ancient history of Iran, tracing its origins to around 3200 B.C. This date is associated with the emergence of one of the world's oldest civilizations, known as Elam, in the region that is present-day Iran. The Elamite civilization predates many other ancient civilizations and played a significant role in the cultural and historical development of the region. It's important to note that the concept of the "oldest country" can be subjective, and various regions around the world have rich histories that contribute to the tapestry of human civilization.

Explanation
Greenland is the largest island on Earth. It is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, northeast of Canada. Despite being referred to as an island, Greenland is also a large landmass, and its size makes it the largest island globally. It is known for its vast ice sheet, stunning fjords, and unique Arctic landscapes. The other options, Sumatra, Great Britain, and Honshu, are also islands but are smaller in size compared to Greenland.
 
Here's a comparison of their sizes:


Greenland: 2,130,800 sq km (826,756 sq mi)
Sumatra: 473,606 sq km (182,937 sq mi)
Great Britain: 209,331 sq km (80,823 sq mi)
Honshu: 227,940 sq km (88,007 sq mi)
 

Explanation
Mandarin Chinese and English are the top two most spoken languages in the world. Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language due to its large population in China, while English is widely spoken as a result of its global influence and use as a lingua franca in many countries. These two languages have a significant number of speakers and are used in various aspects of international communication, trade, and education.

Explanation
The Atacama Desert, located in northern Chile, is known as the driest nonpolar place in the world. It is an extreme environment where some areas have never recorded rainfall. This hyperarid region's unique climatic conditions mean that many parts of the desert indeed receive less than 1 millimeter of rain annually, contributing to its reputation as a place where life struggles to exist.