Can You Identify These National Treasures?

WORLD

By: Jonnathan Chadwick

7 Min Quiz

Image: Brent Clark Photography / Moment / Getty Images

About This Quiz

They say one man's trash is another man's treasure, and the same holds true for national treasures. They're everywhere, and we often take them for granted. 

More than 70 million tourists visit the country every year, because there are more than 60 national parks, 150 national forests, 100 national monuments and 2,500 historic landmarks in the country. We lead the world in sports and entertainment, and some of the biggest celebrities call the country home. We may not be as great as France or Italy in terms of culinary advancement, but we invented hamburgers and s'mores. Where ever you look, the country is full of treasures. 

What do you know about the best America has to offer? Do you know the tallest mountain in the world or where the American crocodile lives? Can you name the most popular foods from each state? Do you know the nicknames of the most popular cities or the most visited national forest or why the Smoky Mountains are smoky?

Put your knowledge of America to the test and see if you can name all of these national treasures. The land is full of distinctly American foods, forests, drinks, parks, celebrities, athletes and more. Can you name them all?


In which city might you see this iconic sign?

The Hollywood sign went up in 1923 to promote land for sale, and it originally said "HOLLYWOODLAND." It became such an attraction it was left up and has since become an iconic symbol of America. The sign has been vandalized, restored and at the center of controversy.

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Can you name this comedian who famously came out as gay on the cover of Time magazine?

Ellen DeGeneres has hosted her own talk show since 2003, and before that, she was the star of her own sitcom called "Ellen." In 1997 she famously came out as gay on the cover of Time magazine. She's gone on to become one of America's most popular celebrities.

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Where does a quarter of all the cheese in America come from?

Wisconsin treats its cheese as seriously as France treats its baguettes. The state requires all commercial cheese to be produced under licensed supervision, the only state with such a requirement, and produces close to 3 billion pounds of cheese per year.

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Do you know this 277-mile gorge carved by the Colorado River?

The Grand Canyon spreads 18 miles wide at its widest points and runs for 277 miles in Arizona. It's not the deepest canyon in the world, but is one of the most famous. More than 6 million people visited the site in 2018.

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There are more than 37,000 McDonald's restaurants in the world, but there is only one that has blue arches. Where is it?

The McDonald's golden arches are one of the most recognizable logos in the world, but in Sedona, AZ, the McDonald's golden arches are turquoise blue. City ordinances prevent companies from erecting structures that take away from the beauty of the natural landscape.

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Can you name this national animal of America?

The bald eagle and American bison are both recognized as national animals of America. The eagle can be seen on federal and state seals all over the country and was first used in 1782. It was inspired by the use of gold eagles in the Roman Republic.

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What iconic city is also known as the "windy city"?

Chicago sits under NYC and LA as the third most populous city in America. The "windy city" nickname could have originated for many different reasons, but most people associate it with the cold and windy weather of Chicago. Chicago isn't the windiest city in the country.

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Which state birthed the most U.S. presidents?

Eight U.S. presidents were born in Virginia: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor and Woodrow Wilson. Seven presidents were born in Ohio and five have been from New York.

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On what island does the Statue of Liberty stand?

The Statue of Liberty was gifted to America from France to commemorate the alliance between the two countries during the American Revolution. It was dedicated in 1886 and is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world.

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The largest diamond ever discovered in America was discovered in Arkansas. What's it called?

The Uncle Sam diamond was discovered in Arkansas in 1924 in an area that is today known as the Crater of Diamonds State Park. Tourists regularly visit the park in search of diamonds. The Uncle Sam diamond weighed more than 40 carats.

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Can you name this superstar commonly recognized as the greatest basketball player ever?

Michael Jordan played most of his career for the Chicago Bulls and won six championships with the franchise over the span of eight years. He won three in a row at the beginning of the '90s, played baseball for a season, and then returned and won another three in a row before retiring.

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Philadelphia is home to the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and what legendary sandwich?

Aside from being known for cheesesteak sandwiches, Philadelphia was the capital of America for about 10 years and is home to Independence Hall, where the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence were passed.

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Do you know the name of this geyser in Yellowstone National Park that erupts every two hours?

Old Faithful isn't the largest geyser in the country or even the largest in Yellowstone, but it's one of the most predictable in the world, giving it its nickname. It has erupted more than 1 million times since 2000, at least once every two hours.

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The bald eagle is the national bird of America. What is the national mammal of America?

President Obama designated the American bison the national mammal of America in 2016. The bison is the first national mammal of the country and can be found in all 50 states. It's been a symbol of the country since its earliest days.

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Do you know what American city is also known as "The Motor City"?

Detroit is known for many things, most notably Motown and motor cars. It became known as The Motor City after Henry Ford perfected his assembly line in the city. Detroit is also home to the oldest surviving soda in America, Vernor's Ginger Ale, which was invented in 1866.

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Can you name this cactus that is illegal to cut down, even if it's on your property?

These cacti are sacred symbols on the west coast and are only found growing wild in southern Arizona and parts of California. They are protected plants, and it's illegal to damage them in any way. A saguaro can take 100 years to reach adulthood and live for more than 200 years.

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Do you know the hottest place on Earth?

The hottest ever recorded temperature registered 134.1 degrees Fahrenheit in Death Valley, California. A temperature of 129.2 was recorded in the area in 2013, and in 1972, a ground temperature above 200 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded.

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What's the name of this suspension bridge that's been called the most photographed bridge in the world?

The Golden Gate National Recreational Area is one of the most visited parks in the country and home to the world-famous bridge. Millions of people cross the bridge every year, and the toll starts at $5 and increases according to the axles on your vehicle. Cyclists and pedestrians cross free.

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Can you name this actor who won back-to-back Oscars for "Philadelphia" and "Forrest Gump"?

Hanks has close to 100 acting credits to his name and has been a Hollywood icon for decades. He won his second Best Actor Oscar for his most famous role, Forrest Gump, and has portrayed a wide range of lovable characters, including Sheriff Woody of the "Toy Story" series.

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With almost 100 million acres of dedicated farmland, America is the leading producer of what essential crop?

America produces more corn than any other country on the planet, and Iowa has led the nation in corn production for the past four decades. Despite this, Olivia, MN has called itself the "Corn Capital of the World" since 1973.

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Do you know the only tropical wetlands in the lower 48 states?

The Everglades is one of the most unique ecosystems on the planet because it consists of several ecosystems. It's home to the American crocodile, American alligator and Florida panther, and it's technically a really slow flowing river.

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Can you name the famous American highway that stretched 2,400 miles from Chicago to California?

Route 66 was created in 1926, but less than 1,000 miles of road were paved that year. It took until 1937 for the entire highway to be paved, and in 1985 it was officially removed from all U.S. maps. Today it's a network of roads that run through several states and stretch half the country.

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Kraft and Hellman's mayonnaise are popular around the country, but if you're down south, you might use what mayo?

Duke's Mayo isn't the most popular in the country, but it's commonly considered the choice of mayo in many southern states. It was founded in South Carolina in 1917 and went international in 2017. It's known for its tangy taste.

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Do you know what state has the most coastline?

Alaska isn't the first place most people think of when they think of beaches, but it has the most beach in America. It has more than 6,000 miles of coastline, which is five times more than Florida. Hawaii has 750 miles of coastline.

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Who was president when America abolished slavery?

Although Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation often gets credited for ending slavery, it was the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment that actually did so. It was passed in January of 1865 and ratified in December of that year. Lincoln was assassinated eight months earlier.

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On one end of the National Mall is the United States Capitol. What is on the other end?

The National Mall spans between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial, and the Washington Monument stands in the middle. As soon as Lincoln was assassinated, talks of erecting a memorial began. The Lincoln Memorial opened to the public in 1922.

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Can you name this tennis icon who has 23 grand slam titles to her name?

Serena Williams is often considered the greatest female tennis player of all time. As of 2019, she's won more grand slams than any other current player, male or female, and isn't set on retiring any time soon.

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Do you know this West Coast beer that made it to the top of Mt. Everest in 1963?

The first American to scale Mt. Everest in 1963 brought a can of Rainier Beer with him. The climber, Jim Whittaker, is a Seattle native and spoke about the journey at length. The brew has been a Seattle favorite for decades.

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What is the most visited national park in America?

The Smoky Mountains sit on the Tennessee-North Carolina border and they're regularly seen smothered in blue fog, giving them the "Smoky Mountain" nickname. More than 11 million people visit the park each year.

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Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on which day that celebrates America's independence?

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were the only two signers of the Declaration of Independence to go on to the U.S. presidency. They both died on the same exact day: July 4, 1826. One other president, James Monroe, died on July Fourth, and Calvin Coolidge is the only president born on that day.

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Do you know the American city nicknamed "The Big Easy"?

New Orleans was founded in the early 18th century but its nickname didn't come until centuries later. It isn't known how the nickname came to be. Legend says the term was coined in the 1960s to contrast the hectic lifestyle of N.Y.C. (aka The Big Apple).

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Can you name this Golden Girl who holds the record for longest television career?

Betty White became famous starring in hit sitcoms of the '70s and '80s and became prominent again in the 2010s after a popular Snickers commercial. Her career began in 1939, and she just voiced a character in 2019's "Toy Story 4."

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What is America's oldest university?

There were nine colonial colleges to educate citizens of the Thirteen Colonies and Harvard University was the first one, established in 1636. Seven of the original nine went on to form today's Ivy League, and Rutgers and the College of William and Mary went on to become public universities. Cornell (the 8th Ivy) was created after the Civil War.

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Do you know the tallest mountain in the world?

Mt. Everest is the highest mountain in the world, standing more than 29,000 feet high, but Mauna Kea in Hawaii is taller. It stands 13,000 feet high and extends 20,000 feet underneath the sea. It totals 33,000 feet tall, making it the world's tallest.

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Do you know this legendary director responsible for megahits like "Jaws,"E.T." and "Jurassic Park"?

Steven Spielberg is the highest-grossing director in American cinema history. His movies have grossed more than $10 billion worldwide and are some of the most popular ever made. He also has three Academy Award wins for his work.

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What state should you visit if you want the best Key lime pie in the world?

Key lime pie is a rather new dessert and originated out of the Florida Keys in the early 20th century. It is named for the Key limes that are used in the pie and grow naturally in the Florida Keys. In 2006 it became the official pie of Florida.

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Can you name the highest mountain peak in America?

Mount Denali is also known as Mt. McKinley, and it's not just the highest peak in America. It's the highest peak in all of North America and sits in Alaska. The mountain was first noted during expeditions in the late 1700s.

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Kentucky produces 95% of all the ________ in the world?

The U.S. government recognizes bourbon as one of America's most distinctive products, and the state of Kentucky produces about 95% of the world's bourbon. Kentucky climate is suited for bourbon production like Scotland's climate is suited for scotch.

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Do you know which popular soft drink was invented in Texas in 1885?

Although Dr Pepper is regularly noted as the oldest soft drink brand in America, Vernors Ginger Ale was produced about 20 years earlier in Detroit. Dr Pepper was invented by pharmacist Charles Alderton in Waco, TX in 1885.

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Do you know the first capital of America?

New York is the most populous city in the country with more than 8.6 million residents. It's also one of the most popular cities in the world and along with London, sits at the top of the global index of Alpha cities.

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