Are You Smarter Than A Fourth Through Eighth Grader?

Sure Fox has a hit show in Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader and people scream over the Spelling Bee on TV and in movies like Akeelah and the Bee and Spellbound. But I have the real challenge today - the National Geography Bee! So test your geo-knowledge against these questions from yesterday's finals (the answers are below the handy world map. No cheating, but you are welcome to use the map if it helps.)

1. What is the Arabic term for a valley in the hot desert areas of northern Africa and the Middle East that carries a stream occasionally?

2. In late March 2007, Protestant and Catholic leaders from Northern Ireland agreed to form a power-sharing government that took effect in early May 2007. The leaders met in what city that lies at the mouth of the Lagan River?

3. The second-largest oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa is also the richest Portuguese-speaking country in Africa. Name this country.

4. Lampedusa, an island whose geographical location has made it a target for illegal immigrants seeking to enter the European Union from Africa, is administered by which country?

5. A city that is divided by a river of the same name was the imperial capital of Vietnam for more than a century. Name this city, which is still an important cultural center.


1. wadi

2. Belfast

3. Angola

4. Italy

5. Hue (Hway)

Feeling smart anymore? You can always get ready for next year with National Geographic's daily quiz.