50 Fascinating World Geography Facts to Supercharge Your Trivia Game

Want to dominate your next geography quiz? These 50 facts cover everything from borders and capitals to extreme climates and quirky landmarks. Whether you’re playing Global Quiz Domination or brushing up for pub night, these geography nuggets will boost your brainpower.

Countries & Capitals

• The capital of Canada is Ottawa—not Toronto or Vancouver.
• Australia’s capital is Canberra—not Sydney or Melbourne.
• There are two countries with “Guinea” in their name in Africa: Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.
• Bogotá is the capital of Colombia, located over 2,600 meters above sea level.
• South Africa has three capital cities: Pretoria (executive), Bloemfontein (judicial), and Cape Town (legislative).

Geographic Extremes

• Russia is the largest country in the world by land area.
• Vatican City is the smallest country, with an area of just 0.49 km².
• Mount Everest is the highest mountain above sea level at 8,848 meters.
• The Dead Sea is the Earth’s lowest land elevation at 430 meters below sea level.
• The Amazon River is the second-longest river in the world, after the Nile.

Surprising Facts

• Alaska is the westernmost, easternmost, and northernmost state in the U.S.
• China borders 14 countries—the most of any country.
• Iceland runs almost entirely on renewable energy, mostly geothermal and hydropower.
• Singapore is a city, an island, and a country all at once.
• Greenland is geographically part of North America but politically tied to Europe (Denmark).

Tricky Trivia

• “Holland” refers to just two provinces of the Netherlands, not the whole country.
• There is no town named “Hell” in Norway—but there is a “Hell” that’s a train stop!
• Some countries like Bolivia have more than one capital city.
• The equator runs through 13 countries, including Ecuador, Kenya, and Indonesia.
• Asia is both the largest and the most populous continent.
• The Nile River flows northward, which is uncommon for rivers of its size.
• Africa is the only continent situated in all four hemispheres: north, south, east, and west.
• Lake Baikal in Siberia is the deepest freshwater lake in the world.
• The Amazon rainforest produces more than 20% of the world’s oxygen.
• There is a town in Norway called Å—just one letter long.
• The Great Wall of China is over 13,000 miles long.
• The Sahara Desert is almost as large as the continental United States.
• Antarctica is the driest, coldest, and windiest continent on Earth.
• The Ganges River in India is considered sacred by Hindus.
• Japan is made up of over 6,800 islands.
• Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world.
• The Danube River flows through 10 countries, more than any other river in the world.
• Madagascar is home to thousands of species found nowhere else on Earth.
• The Atacama Desert in Chile is one of the driest places on Earth—some parts have never recorded rain.
• Istanbul is the only city in the world that straddles two continents: Europe and Asia.
• Russia spans 11 time zones, more than any other country in the world.
• Canada has the longest coastline of any country—over 202,000 kilometers.
• The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth's surface at about 430 meters below sea level.
• Indonesia is the world's largest island country, made up of over 17,000 islands.
• Mount Everest grows by about 4 millimeters every year due to tectonic activity.
• The Amazon River is the second-longest river in the world, but it carries the most water.
• Vatican City is the smallest country in the world by area and population.
• Greenland is the largest island that is not a continent.
• Australia is the only continent that is also a country and an island.
• Chile stretches along the western edge of South America for more than 4,300 kilometers, but it’s only about 177 kilometers wide.
• The Ural Mountains form the natural boundary between Europe and Asia.
• Africa has 54 countries—the most of any continent.
• The Mariana Trench is the deepest part of the world's oceans.
• Bolivia has two capital cities: La Paz (administrative) and Sucre (constitutional).
• Iceland has no mosquitoes, thanks to its cold climate and lack of standing water.

Apply It in Global Quiz Domination

Knowing these facts won’t just impress your friends—they’ll help you score big in games like Global Quiz Domination. Geography questions pop up often, and answering quickly can give you an edge—especially in fast-paced modes like Quiz and Sudden Death.

So the next time a geography statement flashes across your screen, you’ll be ready. And if you’re not sure? Remember—trust your gut and eliminate the obvious wrong answers first.

Conclusion

Trivia is more fun when you know a little bit about everything—and a lot about something. Geography is a favorite topic for quizmasters around the world, so keep these 50 facts in your mental backpack. And when you’re ready to test your skills, jump into Global Quiz Domination and climb the leaderboard!