Where in the world? A geography quiz for travelers

From the Seattle Times:  Where in the world? A geography quiz for travelers

It’s that time of year again when we roll out NWTraveler’s annual geography quiz. So sharpen your pencil, and your mind, and test your knowledge of places near and far.
CLOSE TO HOME
1. What two major rivers flow by Portland?
2. What town is at the southwest tip of Washington?
3. Name at least four Western Washington rivers ending in “mish.”
4. Americans sometimes call them “the Canadian San Juans.” What’s the real name of the islands?
5. Which is farther north, Bellingham, Wash., or Victoria, B.C.?
6. What is the highest mountain in Olympic National Park?
7. The Washington town of Metaline Falls is on which river?
8. Which state has a bigger population, Washington or Oregon?
9. What is the overall name for the inland marine waters of southwest British Columbia and northwest Washington?
10. What national forest covers much of the northwest Cascades in Washington?
FARAWAY PLACES
1. Which country is larger in area, the United States or Brazil?
2. What island nation sits off southern India?
3. Name at least three countries that border Kenya.
4. What body of water divides Alaska and Russia?
5. Name two landlocked South American countries.
AMERICAN STATE CAPITALS
1. The capital of Idaho has a name derived from French. What is it?
2. Name the four U.S. state capitals whose names include the word “City.”
3. What four state capitals were named for U.S. presidents?
4. What state capital has the largest population within its city limits?
5. Name at least five state capitals situated on saltwater.
WORLD CAPITALS
1.What is the capital of Malaysia?
2. Name the capital of Brazil.
3. What is the capital of Bhutan?
4. What is Australia’s capital?
5. Name the capital of Costa Rica.
WERE YOU PAYING ATTENTION?
1. Name at least three of the five national parks in Utah.
2. How many states are there in Mexico?
3. What is the second biggest Italian island?
4. Where will the 2014 Winter Olympics be held?
5. What is the second biggest Hawaiian island after the Big Island?

ANSWERS:
CLOSE TO HOME
1. Columbia River and Willamette River.
2. Ilwaco, Pacific County.
3. Duwamish, Snohomish, Skykomish, Stillaguamish, Skokomish, Samish, Sammamish.
4. The Gulf Islands (in British Columbia).
5. Bellingham.
6. Mount Olympus (7,980 feet).
7. Pend Oreille River.
8. Washington (approximately 6.8 million people; Oregon has 3.8 million).
9. Salish Sea.
10: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
FARAWAY PLACES
1. The United States (3.79 million square miles vs. Brazil’s 3.28 million).
2. Sri Lanka.
3. Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan border Kenya.
4. The Bering Strait.
5. Paraguay and Bolivia.
AMERICAN STATE CAPITALS
1. Boise (derived from the French for “trees” or “wooded”).
2. Carson City (Nev.), Jefferson City (Mo.), Oklahoma City (Okla.), Salt Lake City (Utah).
3. Jackson, Miss.; Jefferson City, Mo.; Lincoln, Neb.; Madison, Wis.
4. Phoenix, Ariz. (1,469,471, according to 2011 census figures).
5. Annapolis, Md.; Boston, Mass.; Honolulu, Hawaii; Juneau, Alaska; Olympia, Wash.; Providence, R.I. (Bonus point: Salt Lake City, Utah, touches a marsh at the edge of the Great Salt Lake.)
WORLD CAPITALS
1. Kuala Lumpur.
2. Brasilia.
3. Thimphu.
4. Canberra.
5. San Jose.
WERE YOU PAYING ATTENTION?
1. Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion national parks.
2. 31 states plus the federal district of Mexico City.
3. Sardinia (Sicily is the biggest).
4. Sochi, Russia.
5. Maui (727 square miles compared to the Big Island’s 4,028 square miles)