Can You Get More Than 11 Right on This Difficult European Geography Challenge?

Kale Havervold

Image: wsfurlan / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

While there are many diverse continents and parts of the world, Europe might sit at the top of that list. Nearly every race and nationality is represented in Europe, with more and more people from around the world calling it home. There are almost 30 different currencies in the continent, 24 official and working languages and countless others spoken by smaller groups.

However, in addition to the people of Europe, even the geography of the area is incredibly diverse. You have huge cities with millions of people, frozen tundras, rainforests, beaches, villages and everything in between. There are the highest of peaks and the lowest of valleys located throughout the country. But how much do you know about this varied geography of Europe? Do you know which of Europe's thousands of mountains is the tallest? How about which country in Europe is the largest by land area?

If you know the answers to these questions and others like them, or want to challenge yourself to improve your knowledge, this quiz is right for you. It will look at European countries, landscapes, populations, inhabitants and more. So, get your passport ready, and prepare to take on our challenging European geography quiz. How many of these questions can you answer correctly?

How many countries are there in Europe?

Europe is home to 44 countries. This is the number, according to the United Nations. The continent is home to other areas and dependencies, but these are not considered countries by most.

There are many large countries in Europe, but which is the largest by area?

Russia is the largest country in Europe by an incredibly large margin. It has an area of 6.60 million mi², compared to just over 233,062 mi² by the next closest country, Ukraine.

When was the EU founded?

The European Union is an organization that comprises of many European nations. The EU was founded on November 1, 1993, to enhance European integration and unify policies shared by its member countries.

Which country in Europe is shaped like a boot?

One of the most beautiful countries on the planet, Italy is known to many by its shape, which resembles a boot, particularly the southeastern part of the country.

According to WorldAtlas.com, as of 2018, which European city is the oldest?

While many think Athens is the oldest city in Europe, that is not the case. That distinction goes to Plovdiv in Bulgaria. The city was founded around 6,000 B.C, making it the oldest by a wide margin, according to WorldAtlas.com.

Flowing throughout Russia, what is the longest river in Europe?

While these are all names of long rivers in Europe, none are longer than the Volga. It is found in Russia and spans 3,692 km long, nearly 1,000 km longer than the second-longest river, which is the Danube.

According to the World Bank, in 2018, what is the average GDP per capita (Current US$) of Ukraine?

While many European countries and sovereign states aren't all that wealthy and have gone through some struggles, Ukraine is currently the poorest of them all, recently unseating Moldova for that title. According to the World Bank, their GDP per capita in 2018 was $3,095.

Where is the headquarters for the EU located?

The headquarters for the EU is in Brussels, Belgium. While there is no official capital of the European Union, many believe that the de facto capital is Brussels. This is because it holds many seats in the European Parliament.

What is the capital of Croatia?

In addition to being the capital of Croatia, Zagreb is also the largest city in the country as it is home to around 800,000 people. With the population of Croatia only around 4 million, it makes up a large chunk of the country.

How many people call Moscow home?

Not only is Russia the biggest country in Europe, it is also home to one of Europe's largest cities, Moscow. The city has a population of 12 million, which is the largest in Europe (unless you count Istanbul, Turkey).

While many different currencies are used throughout Europe, which one is the most common and popular?

As you might suspect, the most popular and commonly used currency in Europe is the euro. It is used by approximately 25 different countries throughout the continent.

The world's largest inland body of water is in Europe. What is it called?

The Caspian Sea is by far the largest inland body of water on the planet. It has an area of over 370,000 KM squared. The next closest is Lake Superior, which is only around 82,000 KM squared.

Who is the former UK Prime Minister who resigned on May 24th, 2019?

Since 2016, Theresa May has been the Prime Minister of the UK. However, she announced in late May 2019, that she would resign. She will continue to hold the position until a successor is named. (Note: As of this writing, May was set to be replaced within a few days.)

Which city does the British Royal Family call home?

The Royal Family live in Buckingham Palace, which is located in London. It was built in 1703 but has had several changes and additions over the last few hundred years, of course.

If you want to visit the top of the Eiffel Tower, which city do you need to visit?

If you want to visit the Eiffel Tower, you need to head to Paris, France. The Eiffel Tower is without a doubt one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe and is visited by millions every year.

How many landlocked countries are there in Europe?

In Europe, there are 17 different countries that are landlocked. A landlocked country is one that is completely enclosed by land, without and coastline. Worldwide, there are nearly 50 landlocked countries.

Of what country is Minsk the capital?

Minsk is the capital of the European country of Belarus. In addition to being the capital city of the country, it is also the largest. Minsk has a capital city population of nearly 2 million people.

Which European city is home to a large clock tower often called Big Ben?

Arguably the most famous clock and clock tower on the planet, Big Ben is located in London. The clock was constructed and completed in 1859 and was the largest chiming clock at the time.

Of all the large mountains in Europe, which is the tallest?

Located in Russia, Mount Elbrus is the tallest mountain in Europe. It stands at 5,642 meters high, a few hundred meters taller than the next closest mountain. Throughout history, it has been climbed numerous times.

What country listed here does not share a border with Poland?

Of the four countries listed, only France doesn't share a border with Poland. Other countries that share a border with Poland include the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Slovakia. However, it isn't landlocked as it has a coastline to the north.

Which small country is located directly to the west of Spain?

Portugal shares a border with Spain. Portugal is a lovely country that is quite similar to Spain and has a beautiful coastline. The capital of Portugal is Lisbon.

Europe has several populous countries, but which has the highest population?

Along with being the largest country by land area in Europe, Russia is also the most populous country in the continent. The total population of the country is more than 140 million, tens of millions more than the next closest country.

How many Nordic countries are there?

Generally, there are believed to be five different Nordic countries. They are Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. Many of these countries consistently rank highly when it comes to the best places to live.

IKEA is an incredibly popular store. In which European country was it founded?

IKEA has stores all over the world and is known for its household items and furniture. However, the store got its start in Sweden and was founded in 1943 by Swedish businessman Ingvar Kamprad.

Which European country has the highest per capita GDP?

Luxembourg is a small country located in Western Europe. It is a very wealthy nation, where the average GDP per capita is over $100,000, well higher than every other country in Europe.

How many countries does the Alps mountain range go through?

The Alps is among the largest mountain ranges on the planet, and it travels through eight different nations. This includes countries such as Germany, France and Switzerland, to name a few.

Which city would you need to visit in order to see The Coliseum?

If you want to pay a visit to the legendary Coliseum, you need to go to Rome. The Coliseum was completed in 80 A.D and had an average audience of 65,000 people during its prime. It was used for a variety of events, such as gladiator battles and public speeches.

Ibiza, an incredibly popular island for partying, is a part of which European country?

If you like to party, Ibiza is a place to check out. It is one of the Balearic Islands, which are Spanish. It hosts popular outdoor parties, and people all over Europe and the rest of the world will often travel there.

Which two countries have the largest forest in Europe?

The largest forest in Europe is the Bialowieza Forest, which has an area of over 3,000 KM squared. It is located in both Belarus and Poland and is home to incredibly large and old trees, some that are hundreds of years old.

Where in Europe does the Pope live?

The Pope calls Vatican City home. Vatican City is located within the limits of Rome but is its own sovereign state. It is home to many different cultural and religious landmarks, such as the Sistine Chapel.

Which of these countries is currently scheduled to leave the EU?

While it hasn't officially happened yet, England is scheduled to leave the EU as a result of Brexit. The exit was supposed to take place on March 29, 2019, but the deadline has been extended until October 31, 2019.

Where in Europe was the birthplace of democracy?

While it is tough to nail down exacts, Athens is believed to be where the concept of democracy began. It dates back to a form of government in Athens, which existed as far back as 508 B.C.

How was the name "Europe" decided on?

The name for Europe is believed to have come from Greek mythology and a Phoenician princess named Europa. The naming of the continent dates back thousands and thousands of years.

How many countries directly border Russia?

As you could imagine with the sheer size of Russia and how far it spans, it shares its borders with many different countries. In total, there are 14 countries that border Russia, including some in Europe and some in Asia.

Which European country was the first to decriminalize all drugs?

In 2001, Portugal decided to get rid of all penalties and fines for possessing any kinds of drugs. While other nations have experimented with this idea, none dealt with it as quickly and early as Portugal did.

If you like to drive fast, you need to check out the Autobahn highway, which is located in what country?

Germany is home to the Autobahn. There are no federally mandated and controlled speed limits for certain types of vehicles. However, if areas are urbanized or under construction, speed limits can be posted.

In which country is Amsterdam located?

Amsterdam is the most popular (and capital) city of the Netherlands. It is known for its heritage, culture and the gorgeous canal system that flows throughout it. It is one of the most visited cities in all of Europe.

The Olympic Games are famous all around the world. Which European nation founded them?

The Olympics, which features the world's best athletes and is watched by billions of viewers, can trace its beginnings to Ancient Greece. Ancient Olympic Games took place from 8th century B.C to 4th century A.D.

How many people live in Vatican City?

While it is technically a sovereign state, Vatican City is often seen as the smallest country in Europe and the world. This minuscule nation has a population of around 1,000 residents, including the pope.

Which city is the capital of the Czech Republic?

Prague is not only the capital of the Czech Republic and home to 2 million people, but it is also quickly becoming one of the hottest tourist destinations in the entire continent. Its culture makes it a must-visit for many.

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