Can You Guess Which of These Two American Cities Is Furthest North?

By: Gavin Thagard
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Can You Guess Which of These Two American Cities Is Furthest North?
Image: Ron and Patty Thomas/E+/Getty Images

About This Quiz

When the first European explorers came to America, they had no idea that this "New World" would transform into the vast country it is today, with 50 states and thousands of cities stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west. But that's exactly what happened, as the phrase "from sea to shining sea" became a reality. 

One of the more unique aspects of America's growth is how diverse the country has become during the transition from 13 colonies seeking independence to a nation filled with various ethnic groups who speak hundreds of languages. The unique cultures of these different groups have shaped cities all across the United States, no matter how far north or south they might be. After all, a city sitting on the coast of Oregon is far different from one located in the rural South, but they are still united in the American experience.

How familiar are you with the locations of famous and unique cities across America? Whether they're an hour apart or a day's drive, will you know which city is located further north on a map? Here's your chance to find out. When you're ready, take a shot at this quiz to see how well you know the makeup of America.

2 - Los Angeles and San Diego
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Los Angeles and San Diego are two cities in California that are known for beautiful weather, but do you know which of these coastal cities sits further north?
Los Angeles
San Diego
3 - Birmingham and Atlanta
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A traveler could take I-20 east from Birmingham, Alabama, to Atlanta. Would they be further north when they reached Atlanta?
No, Birmingham is further north.
Yes, Atlanta is north of Birmingham.
4 - Seattle and Olympia
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Is Seattle further north than Olympia, the capital of Washington?
Seattle is above Olympia.
Olympia is further north.

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5 - St. Louis and Indianapolis
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St. Louis and Indianapolis are two major cities in the Midwest. Can you guess which one is north of the other?
St. Louis
Indianapolis
6 - Columbus and Cincinnati
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How well do you know the location of these two cities in Ohio: Columbus and Cincinnati?
Columbus is north of Cincinnati.
You'd be further north in Cincinnati.
7 - Houston and Dallas
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Where are Houston and Dallas located on a map?
Houston is north of Dallas on a map.
Dallas is the more northern city on a map.

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8 - Philadelphia and Boston
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Philadelphia and Boston are two cities rich in history, but a history buff would have to travel north to reach which city from the other?
They would travel north to get to Philadelphia.
It would take a trip north to get to Boston from Philadelphia.
9 - Tombstone and Sante Fe
Walter Bibikow/DigitalVision sjlayne/E+/Getty Images
The Wild West was shaped by cities like Tombstone, Arizona, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Would an outlaw be further north if they were in Tombstone or Santa Fe?
Tombstone
Santa Fe
10 - Orlando and Miami
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Are you familiar with the locations of Orlando and Miami, two major cities in Florida?
Orlando is north of Miami.
Miami is the northernmost city.

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11 - Baltimore or Washington D.C.
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Select the city that's further north: Baltimore or Washington, D.C.
Baltimore
Washington, D.C.
12 - Chattanooga and Knoxville
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The Appalachian Mountains cover the eastern half of Tennessee, where Chattanooga and Knoxville are located. Which of these cities is further north?
Chattanooga
Knoxville
13 - Milwaukee or Chicago
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Do you know whether Milwaukee or Chicago sits further north on Lake Michigan?
Milwaukee sits further north.
Chicago is north of Milwaukee.

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14 - Salem and Portland
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In Oregon, Salem is only an hour's drive from Portland, but does that drive take you north?
Yes, you have to go north to get to Salem from Portland.
No, Portland is north of Salem.
15 - Juneau or Anchorage
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Can you guess which of these Alaskan cities is further north: Juneau or Anchorage?
Juneau
Anchorage
16 - Albany and New York City
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If the residents of New York City wanted to escape to the state capital in Albany, would they have to travel north?
Yes, Albany is north of New York City.
No, New York City sits north of Albany.

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17 - Charlotte or Raleigh
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Is Charlotte or Raleigh further north in North Carolina?
Charlotte
Raleigh
18 - Baton Rouge and New Orleans
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A journey down the Mississippi River will eventually take a boater to Louisiana, where they will pass through Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Where are these cities located along America's second longest river?
Baton Rouge is north of New Orleans.
New Orleans is north of Baton Rouge.
19 - Carson City and Las Vegas
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If you're in Carson City, Nevada, are you traveling north to go gambling in Las Vegas?
Yes, Las Vegas is further north.
No, Carson City is north of Las Vegas.

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20 - San Francisco and Sacramento
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How well do you know the location of these two major cities in California: San Francisco and Sacramento?
San Francisco is the northernmost city.
Sacramento is further north.
21 - Colorado Springs and Denver
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Colorado is known for its high elevations, and that includes cities like Colorado Springs and Denver. But which of these two cities is further north?
Colorado Springs
Denver
22 - Lansing  Detroit
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Lansing is the capital of Michigan, even though Detroit is the state's largest city. Do you know if Michigan placed its capital further north than its largest city?
Lansing is north of Detroit.
Detroit is further north.

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23 - Oklahoma City or Salt Lake City
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Identify the city that sits further north on a map: Oklahoma City or Salt Lake City.
Oklahoma City
Salt Lake City
24 - Nashville and Jackson
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If you live in Jackson, Mississippi, will a vacation to Nashville, Tennessee, take you north?
Yes, Nashville is north of Jackson.
No, you'd be further north in Jackson.
25 - Frankfort to Lexington
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Does the trip from Frankfort to Lexington, Kentucky, take you north?
Of course, Lexington is north of Frankfort.
No, Frankfort is the northernmost city.

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26 - Savannah and Charleston
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Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina, are two historical cities located on the East Coast. Which of these coastal cities is north of the other?
Charleston
Savannah
27 - Tampa and Tallahassee
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Can you guess if Tampa is further north than Tallahassee, Florida?
Tampa is further north.
Tallahassee is north of Tampa.
28 - Austin and San Antonio
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Head to the southern half of Texas, and you'll find Austin and San Antonio. How well do you know their exact locations?
Austin sits north of San Antonio.
San Antonio is the northernmost city.

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29 - Norfolk and Richmond
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Are you heading north if you take the James River from Norfolk to Richmond, Virginia?
Yes, Richmond is north.
No, Norfolk is further north.
30 - Minneapolis or Bismarck
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Minnesota and North Dakota are two states that border Canada, but is Minneapolis or Bismarck further north?
Minneapolis
Bismarck
31 - Topeka and Wichita
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Would you travel north to get to Topeka from Wichita, Kansas?
Obviously, because Topeka is north of Wichita.
Nope, Wichita is the more northern city.

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32 - Memphis and Little Rock
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Between Memphis, Tennessee, and Little Rock, Arkansas, can you select the city that's further north?
Memphis
Little Rock
33 - Pittsburgh and Philadelphia
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The bulk of Pennsylvania lies between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, but do you know which of these cities sits further north in the state?
Pittsburgh
Philadelphia
34 - Charleston and Morgantown
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Two of West Virginia's largest cities, Charleston and Morgantown, are nestled in the Appalachian region in the Mountain State. Which of these cities is further north on a map?
Charleston
Morgantown

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35 - Reno and San Jose
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Will a trip from Reno, Nevada, to San Jose, California, take you further north?
Yes, San Jose is north of Reno.
No, Reno is north of San Jose.
36 - Omaha or Lincoln
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What Nebraskan city is further north: Omaha or Lincoln?
Omaha
Lincoln
37 - Atlantic City and Ocean City
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Would you take a boat north to get from Atlantic City, New Jersey, to Ocean City, Maryland?
Yes, because Ocean City is north of Atlantic City.
Nope, Atlantic City is further north.

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38 - Phoenix or Tucson
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Can you guess which city in Arizona is further north: Phoenix or Tucson?
Phoenix
Tucson
39 - Boise and Cheyenne
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Where on a map will you find Boise, Idaho, and Cheyenne, Wyoming?
You'll find Boise further north.
A map will tell you Cheyenne is the northernmost city.
40 - Chicago or Cleveland
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Both Chicago and Cleveland are located on the Great Lakes, but which is further north?
Chicago, just barely
Cleveland, by a nose

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1 - Augusta and Montpelier
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The capitals of Maine and Vermont, two states in the far Northeast, are Augusta and Montpelier, respectively. Which capital is further north?
Augusta
Montpelier