Geography Bee Frequently Asked Questions

The following link is the homepage for the National Geography Bee and has some excellent online resources to help you prepare: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee/

1) What is the purpose of the National Geographic Bee?

The National Geographic Bee, an educational program of the National Geographic Society, is a nationwide geography competition for U.S. schools with any grades four through eight, designed to encourage the teaching and study of geography.

2) Who can participate in the National Geographic Bee?

Schools from all 50 U.S. states, the U.S. territories, and the U.S. Department of Defense schools participate in the National Geographic Bee. Students enrolled in public or private schools may not compete as part of a homeschool association's Bee and, conversely, students who are homeschooled must participate through a registered homeschool association.

3) What is the format of the Bee competition?

Registered schools hold their school-level contest following the eligibility rules and may use the suggested procedures contained in the school-level instruction booklet. The school is responsible for their school-level Bee. Each participating school produces one school winner.

A teacher administers the written qualifying test (included in the packet) to the one school winner. Only the answer sheet is returned to the National Geographic Society. Tests received after the specified deadline will not be graded.

In early March the teacher who signed the qualifying test is notified if the school Bee winner qualified to represent his or her school at the state level. The top one 100 students (selected based on qualifying test scores) qualify to represent their schools and compete at the state level. Scores are not released, only notification as to whether the student qualified or did not qualify for the state competition. The notification includes information on where the qualified student is to report, the date, time, etc. This information is not given over the telephone.

State qualifiers compete in an oral competition at the state level, which is usually held in late March or early April. To compete, invited qualified students must be present at the state Bee on the assigned day and at the assigned time. The 2009-10 State Bee will be on April 9, 2009 and is usually held at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY.

State winners are invited to National Geographic headquarters in late May to compete in the national finals for scholarships in the amount of U.S. $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000.

Sample Geography Bee Questions

Here are some sample questions from the National Geographic Bee, along with ideas about how to look for clues within the questions that can help you figure out the right answers.

Which state has a climate suitable for growing citrus fruits—California or Maine? You know that oranges and grapefruit are citrus fruits and that they grow in warm places. Since California's climate is definitely warmer and sunnier than Maine's, you correctly answer California.

Which country has the world's largest Muslim population—Indonesia or Mexico? If you have studied maps showing world religions, you will know the answer immediately. If you haven't, you might reason that Mexico was settled by the Spanish, followers of Christianity not Islam. Either way, you correctly answer Indonesia.

The North Atlantic current brings warm waters from the tropics to the west coast of which continent? From studying physical maps you know that the North Atlantic is the area of the Atlantic that lies north of the Equator and that the entire west coast of Europe borders the North Atlantic, so you correctly answer Europe.

What is the term for a part of an ocean or sea that cuts far into the bordering landmass and may contain one or more bays? From studying physical features on maps and using your geographical reference book to learn about physical features, you narrow your choices to two terms: bay and gulf. Since the word "bay" is used in the question, you eliminate it as a possibility and correctly answer gulf.

The port of Rotterdam is built on the delta of which major European river? This question requires thinking in layers. From studying major world cities, you know Rotterdam is in the Netherlands. Using your mental map, you know that the country lies in northwestern Europe along the Atlantic Ocean. Now use your mental map to picture major rivers that flow across this region of Europe into the Atlantic Ocean, and you correctly answer Rhine River.

Which Canadian province produces more than half of the country's manufactured goods? Even if you haven't studied profiles of Canadian provinces, you know from your mental maps that Ontario borders all of the Great Lakes and has access to the St. Lawrence Seaway. This puts it in a better position than any other Canadian province to import materials needed for manufacturing and to export finished goods. So you correctly answer Ontario.

To visit the ruins of Persepolis, an ancient ceremonial capital of Persia, you would have to travel to what present-day country? From history books or from studying country profiles, you know that Persia is the former name of Iran, so you correctly answer Iran. Study Corner

What's the best way for students to prepare for the Bee? Here are some tips from the National Geographic Bee Official Study Guide:

• Get the Necessary Tools: A good, up-to-date world map, atlas, and geography reference book are your best study tools, along with blank outline maps with which to practice locating places.

• Learn Map Terminology: Understanding what you're looking at and correctly reading labels and coordinates on a map are essential.

• Understand the Interconnectedness of Geography: Subdivisions of geography, such as physical features, climate, and culture, are all influenced by each other. Once you understand this, it will be easier to categorize and remember information about countries and regions.

• Follow Current Events: News items regarding political upheavals, international agreements, and discoveries are fair game for Bee questions, so make sure you are an informed citizen of the world. See our Kids News site for recent stories.

• Analyze the Questions: Visit our Sample Questions page to see the types of questions asked in the Bee and to learn how you can look for clues within the questions to help you figure out the right answers.

• Keep Geography Fun: There are many games you can play to help study for the Bee. Check out GeoBee Challenge, with ten new questions each day, and GeoSpy, to test your map skills.