Physical geography quiz: rivers, mountains, oceans and deserts

This quiz is for secondary students studying landforms, for travellers and for anyone who enjoys poring over a map. It asks for no countries or capitals: only the landforms, bodies of water and deserts that shape the planet.

It opens with the records everyone has heard of, the largest ocean or the highest mountain, then heads down to the lowest points and the driest places. Tip: many questions hinge on the difference between “largest”, “longest” and “deepest”, so check the criterion carefully before you answer.

Physical geography quiz: rivers, mountains, oceans and deserts

1. Which is the largest ocean on the planet? *

2. Which peak is the highest in the world above sea level? *

3. What is the largest hot desert in the world? *

4. What is the longest mountain range on land? *

5. Which river carries the greatest volume of water? *

6. Which lake is the deepest in the world? *

7. Where is the lowest point on dry land? *

8. Which ocean is home to the Mariana Trench, the deepest known trench? *

9. Which river forms a vast delta in Romania before flowing into the Black Sea? *

10. Which desert is known as the driest in the world outside the polar regions? *