How good is your Spanish geography knowledge?
Think you can beat our tough Spanish Geography Quiz?
Take a crack at these 20 challenging questions—there are plenty of interesting facts, fun trivia, and surprises along the way. Challenge your friends by sharing your results and see who truly knows Spain best!
Good luck, and may the best quiz master win!
Correct Answers and Fun Facts
1. Where is Spain's highest mountain located?
Answer: Canary Islands.
Fun Fact: Spain’s highest peak, Mount Teide (3,718 meters), is located on the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands. This dormant volcano is part of Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s so tall that astronauts have said they can see its shadow cast on the ocean! The volcanic landscape around it is truly otherworldly, and visitors often feel like they’ve landed on another planet.
2. Which of these Spanish rivers flows through Portugal?
Answer: Duero.
Fun Fact: The Duero River starts in northern Spain and flows into Portugal, where it is known as the Douro River. The river is famous for flowing through the Douro Valley, one of the world’s oldest wine-producing regions. The steep vineyards that line its banks produce Port wine, a globally celebrated fortified wine. The Duero has been a vital water source for millennia, supporting agriculture and trade in the region.
3. What is the name of Spain’s largest lake?
Answer: Mar Menor.
Fun Fact: Mar Menor, located in the Murcia region, is Spain’s largest saltwater lagoon. Its name means “smaller sea,” but at 170 square kilometers, it’s anything but small! Mar Menor is separated from the Mediterranean by a narrow sandbar called La Manga, which has become a popular tourist destination. The lagoon is also known for its therapeutic mud baths, which people believe can help with skin conditions and arthritis.
4. In which Spanish region can you find the desert of Tabernas, the only desert in Europe?
Answer: Andalusia.
Fun Fact: The Tabernas Desert, located in the province of Almería, is the only true desert in Europe. It spans around 280 square kilometers and has a striking, barren landscape with rocky hills and dry riverbeds. Due to its resemblance to the American Southwest, it became a popular filming location for Spaghetti Westerns, with classics like “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” shot here. Today, you can still visit some of the old Western film sets!
5. What is the southernmost point of mainland Spain?
Answer: Tarifa.
Fun Fact: Tarifa is famous for its windsurfing and kitesurfing due to the strong winds that blow through the Strait of Gibraltar. It’s also the southernmost point of mainland Europe and only 14 kilometers from Africa, making it one of the closest connections between the two continents. You can even take a ferry from Tarifa to Morocco in under an hour!
6. What is the highest mountain in Spain?
Answer: Mount Teide.
Fun Fact: Mount Teide, located on the island of Tenerife, is Spain’s highest peak at 3,718 meters. The volcano and its surrounding landscape are part of the Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The lava fields, craters, and rugged terrain have made it a popular destination for hikers, photographers, and stargazers alike. The national park is also home to an astronomical observatory that takes advantage of Tenerife’s clear night skies.
7. Which river is the longest in Spain?
Answer: Tagus.
Fun Fact: The Tagus River, known as Tajo in Spain, stretches for 1,007 kilometers, making it the longest river on the Iberian Peninsula. It begins in the mountains of Aragon and flows westward through Portugal before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon. The river has played a crucial role in the history of both Spain and Portugal, serving as a natural barrier and trade route. Its banks are dotted with historic cities and castles, including Toledo and Alcántara.
8. Which city is known as the “City of Three Cultures” because of its Christian, Muslim, and Jewish history?
Answer: Toledo.
Fun Fact: The ancient city of Toledo, perched on a hill above the Tagus River, is often called the “City of Three Cultures” because of its rich history of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish influences. During the Middle Ages, these three communities lived in relative harmony, and the architecture of Toledo reflects their legacy. Visitors can explore the Toledo Cathedral, the Mosque of Cristo de la Luz, and the Synagogue of El Tránsito, all within a short walk from each other. Toledo was also the capital of Spain until the mid-16th century.
9. Which mountain range forms the backbone of Spain, running from east to west across the center of the country?
Answer: Sierra de Guadarrama.
Fun Fact: The Sierra de Guadarrama is part of the Central System mountain range and stretches across central Spain, forming a natural barrier between Madrid and Castile-León. Its highest peak, Peñalara, rises to 2,428 meters, and the range is popular for hiking, birdwatching, and skiing.
10. Which island is home to the mysterious Dragon Tree, one of the oldest trees in the world?
Answer: Tenerife.
Fun Fact: The Dragon Tree of Tenerife is a fascinating species that has puzzled scientists and intrigued locals for centuries. Dracaena draco produces a bright red resin when cut, historically called dragon’s blood. Ancient peoples, including the Guanches (the indigenous inhabitants of the Canary Islands), used the resin for its supposed healing properties. Some even believed it had magical powers! Today, the Dragon Tree is considered a symbol of Tenerife, and its unique appearance continues to draw visitors from around the world.
11. Which Spanish city is known as the “Gateway to the Pyrenees”?
Answer: Jaca.
Fun Fact: The small town of Jaca is the base for many who want to explore the Pyrenees Mountains. It’s also known for its medieval walls and citadel, and it was a key stop along the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. Jaca is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, making it a favorite destination for outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and mountaineering.
12. What is the name of the river that runs through the city of Seville?
Answer: Guadalquivir.
Fun Fact: The Guadalquivir River is one of Spain’s most important rivers, flowing through Seville and providing a key navigational route during Spain’s colonial era. Ships once sailed up the river, bringing treasures from the Americas. The river’s name comes from the Arabic Wadi al-Kabir, meaning “the great river.”
13. Which region is home to Spain’s smallest autonomous community?
Answer: La Rioja.
Fun Fact: La Rioja is the smallest of Spain’s autonomous communities and is world-famous for its wine production. The region’s capital, Logroño, is a hub for wine tourism and a key stop on the Camino de Santiago. La Rioja produces some of the most celebrated red wines in the world, especially Tempranillo.
14. Where would you find the most extensive palm forest in Europe?
Answer: Elche.
Fun Fact: The Palm Forest of Elche is the largest in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It contains more than 200,000 palm trees, some of which are over 300 years old. The forest was originally planted by the Moors during their occupation of Spain, and it remains an important symbol of the town’s cultural and historical heritage.
15. Which city is known for its iconic windmills, made famous by Don Quixote?
Answer: Consuegra.
Fun Fact: The windmills of Consuegra became famous thanks to Miguel de Cervantes’ novel Don Quixote. The protagonist, Don Quixote, mistakes these windmills for giants and attempts to battle them, creating one of the most iconic scenes in Spanish literature. Visitors to Consuegra can still see these 16th-century windmills standing proudly on the Cerro Calderico ridge.
16. What is the largest island in the Canary Islands?
Answer: Tenerife.
Fun Fact: Tenerife is not only the largest island in the Canary Islands, but it is also home to Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak. Tenerife is famous for its black sand beaches, formed by volcanic activity, and its thriving tourism industry. It hosts the world-renowned Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which is one of the largest and most vibrant carnivals in the world.
17. In which region of Spain is the Picos de Europa mountain range located?
Answer: Asturias.
Fun Fact: The Picos de Europa mountain range is known for its dramatic peaks, deep gorges, and lush valleys. The range spans three regions: Asturias, Cantabria, and Castilla y León, and it is one of Spain’s most beautiful national parks. The area is also famous for its Cabrales cheese, a strong blue cheese made from a mix of cow, goat, and sheep milk.
18. What is Spain’s longest beach?
Answer: Playa de Doñana.
Fun Fact: Playa de Doñana stretches for over 30 kilometers along the Andalusian coast and is part of the Doñana National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is home to the endangered Iberian lynx and is one of Europe’s most important wetlands. Visitors to the park can explore sand dunes, marshes, and forests while spotting rare wildlife.
19. What region of Spain is known for the spectacular "Las Médulas" landscape, once a major Roman gold mining site?
Answer: Castile and León.
Fun Fact: Las Médulas, located in Castile and León, was the largest gold mine of the Roman Empire. The landscape is characterized by towering red rocks, created by Roman hydraulic mining techniques. The name “Las Médulas” comes from the Latin word “metalla,” meaning "mines" or "metal-bearing areas." This unique landscape is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular spot for hiking and exploring Spain’s ancient history.
20. Where can you find the oldest lighthouse still in operation?
Answer: A Coruña.
Fun Fact: The Tower of Hercules, located in A Coruña, is the world’s oldest functioning lighthouse. Built by the Romans in the 2nd century AD, it still serves as a guide for ships today. The lighthouse is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a powerful symbol of Spain’s long maritime history. Visitors can climb to the top for spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean.
