US Geography Quiz

Sacramento is the capital of California, a role it has held since 1854 during the California Gold Rush. The choice of Sacramento was strategic due to its location at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers, which made it a major distribution point during the gold rush. As a capital, Sacramento serves as the political and administrative center of the state, hosting the California State Capitol where both the state legislature and the office of the governor are situated.

The Appalachian Mountains, located in the eastern U.S., are among the oldest mountains on Earth. They extend nearly 2,000 miles from the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador to central Alabama in the U.S., featuring a range of biodiversity and a wealth of natural resources. These mountains are known for their historic significance to early American exploration and settlement, providing barriers and corridors that shaped the movement of people and goods.

Mount Rushmore, featuring the monumental carvings of four U.S. presidents, is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Completed in 1941, the sculpture is a symbol of American history and culture, depicting George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. This location was specifically chosen for its grandeur and favorable viewing orientation, which attracts over two million visitors each year.

Chicago is famously known as the "Windy City," a nickname that may have originated from its weather, geographical location near Lake Michigan, or as a descriptor of its historical political climate, which was deemed full of "hot air" from politicians. The city experiences significant lake-effect winds that sweep into the urban area, intensifying the local weather patterns.

The Mississippi River is the longest river in the United States, stretching about 2,320 miles from its source at Lake Itasca in Minnesota to its mouth in the Gulf of Mexico. It plays a crucial role in the ecology, economy, and history of the American Midwest, serving as a vital waterway for agricultural and industrial transportation. The river's extensive drainage basin covers parts of 31 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces, making it a key geographic feature in North America.

Ohio does not border Canada, unlike the other options listed. It is bordered by Michigan to the north, Pennsylvania to the east, Indiana to the west, and Kentucky and West Virginia to the south. Its northern border along Lake Erie is entirely within U.S. territorial waters, separating it from the Canadian border by the lake's expanse.

Yellowstone National Park, primarily located in Wyoming, also stretches into parts of Montana and Idaho. Established in 1872 as America's first national park, Yellowstone is famed for its wildlife and its many geothermal features, especially Old Faithful Geyser. The park sits on the Yellowstone Caldera, the largest volcanic system in North America, making it a significant geologic site as well as a popular tourist destination.

California has the most national parks in the U.S., with nine federally protected parks. These include Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Death Valley, and Joshua Tree, among others. The state's diverse geography from coastal areas and mountain ranges to deserts and forests allows for a wide variety of ecosystems and natural attractions, making it a prime location for national parks.

Hawaii is the southernmost state in the U.S. Located in the central Pacific Ocean, it is composed entirely of islands, with the island of Hawaii being the largest. The geographic isolation of Hawaii has resulted in a unique ecosystem with numerous endemic species and distinctive landscapes that are not found anywhere else on the U.S. mainland.

Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes of North America, is the largest freshwater lake in the U.S. by surface area. Spanning an area of about 31,700 square miles, it borders Ontario, Canada, and the U.S. states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Lake Superior not only holds enough water to cover the entire landmass of North and South America in a foot of water but also plays a critical role in regional water supply and ecosystems.