North America is a vast and diverse continent full of culture, history and natural wonders. It’s home to many countries, landscapes, cities and people. Here are 45 riddles that test your knowledge about this amazing part of the world.
Geography Riddles
Let’s start with some riddles about the geography and landscapes of North America.
Riddle 1
What is the largest country in North America by land area?
Answer: Canada
Riddle 2
I am the longest north-south mountain range in North America. What am I?
Answer: The Rocky Mountains
Riddle 3
I am a desert that covers parts of California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah. With extremely hot summers and mild winters, what desert am I?
Answer: Mojave Desert
Riddle 4
I am a large body of water surrounded by the United States and Canada. I contain about 22% of the world’s fresh water supply. What Great Lake am I?
Answer: Lake Superior
Riddle 5
I am a rainforest home to jaguars, sloths and macaws. I am located in Central America. What am I?
Answer: The Amazon Rainforest
History Riddles
Now let’s look at some riddles about North American history.
Riddle 6
I am a 177 foot tall monument gifted from France to the United States. What monument am I?
Answer: The Statue of Liberty
Riddle 7
I was the first European to reach the mainland of North America. I landed in 1492. Who am I?
Answer: Christopher Columbus
Riddle 8
I am a Native American woman who helped Lewis and Clark explore the West. I served as their guide and interpreter. Who am I?
Answer: Sacagawea
Riddle 9
I am a famous ship that sank in 1912 on its maiden voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. What ship am I?
Answer: The Titanic
Riddle 10
We were a group of patriots who protested unfair British taxes by dumping tea into Boston Harbor in 1773. Who are we?
Answer: The Sons of Liberty
Culture Riddles
Let’s move on to some riddles about North American culture.
Riddle 11
I am a tower in Paris, France that was gifted to the United States in the late 1880s. What tower am I?
Answer: The Eiffel Tower
Riddle 12
I am a jazz style that originated in New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. I am characterized by improvisation and syncopated rhythms. What jazz style am I?
Answer: Dixieland Jazz
Riddle 13
I am a style of music that emerged from the hip hop scene in the 1980s and became mainstream in the 1990s and 2000s. I was pioneered by artists like Nelly and Kid Rock. What genre am I?
Answer: Rap Rock
Riddle 14
I am an annual festival held in New Orleans, Louisiana celebrating the Catholic tradition of Carnival. I feature parades, masks, costumes, and music. What festival am I?
Answer: Mardi Gras
Riddle 15
I am a tall, cone-shaped hat worn by a fictional character named The Cat in the Hat. What colorful hat am I?
Answer: Red and white striped top hat
Food Riddles
Are you hungry yet? Here are some food riddles from North America.
Riddle 16
I am a thin, round bread made with flour, water and yeast, often topped with sauce and cheese. I originated in Italy but am now popular in North America. What am I?
Answer: Pizza
Riddle 17
I am a thick, sweet syrup made from the sap of maple trees. I am a popular topping for pancakes and waffles. What am I?
Answer: Maple syrup
Riddle 18
I am a deep fried dough pastry covered in powdered sugar or cinnamon and sugar. What sweet breakfast food am I?
Answer: Beignet
Riddle 19
I am a tall, cool, sweet drink made with iced tea, lemonade and sugar. I was invented in the late 1800s. What southern drink am I?
Answer: Sweet tea
Riddle 20
I am a burger topped with peanut butter, pickles, cheese and bacon. I am the signature dish of a fast food restaurant founded in 1940. What burger am I?
Answer: Big Mac
Animal Riddles
Let’s take a walk on the wild side with these North American animal riddles.
Riddle 21
I am North America’s largest land mammal. I am brown and have a distinct hump on my back. What animal am I?
Answer: Bison
Riddle 22
I am the only marsupial native to North America. I have a pouch to carry my young. You may find me hopping around the desert southwest. What animal am I?
Answer: Kangaroo rat
Riddle 23
I am the national animal of Canada. I have antlers, hooves, and live in the Arctic tundra. What am I?
Answer: Caribou
Riddle 24
I am a large predatory cat with excellent night vision. My range stretches from Canada to the tip of South America. What stealthy animal am I?
Answer: Jaguar
Riddle 25
I am a small, bushy-tailed rodent found across North America. My cousin is a popular cartoon character. Who am I?
Answer: Chipmunk
Plant Riddles
How much do you know about North American plant life? Test yourself with these plant riddles.
Riddle 26
I am a type of cactus with thick, segmented stems armed with sharp spines. I am native to desert regions and am the state plant of Arizona. What cactus am I?
Answer: Saguaro
Riddle 27
I am a deciduous tree that produces early spring flowers ranging from white to pink to red. What flowering tree am I?
Answer: Redbud
Riddle 28
I am a coniferous tree with needles instead of leaves. My bark smells of oranges when cut. I am the official state tree of Maine. What fragrant tree am I?
Answer: White pine
Riddle 29
I am a ornamental plant that produces large, colorful flowers in summer. I am the national flower of Mexico. What flower am I?
Answer: Poinsettia
Riddle 30
I am a vine that produces edible gourds. When dried, I am used to make maracas, birdhouses and other crafts. What fast-growing vine am I?
Answer: Gourds
General Knowledge Riddles
Lastly, here are some general trivia riddles about North America.
Riddle 31
I am the capital city of the United States, located along the Potomac River. What city am I?
Answer: Washington D.C.
Riddle 32
I am the largest country in the world by population located entirely in North America. What country am I?
Answer: United States of America
Riddle 33
I am a famous mountain located in Alaska’s Denali National Park. I am the tallest peak in North America. What mountain am I?
Answer: Mount McKinley (or Denali)
Riddle 34
I am a famous canyon located in Arizona carved out by the Colorado River. What natural wonder am I?
Answer: The Grand Canyon
Riddle 35
I am the second largest country in the world by land area, located north of the United States. What country am I?
Answer: Canada
Riddle 36
I am the longest river in North America, flowing south from Lake Itasca in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. What mighty river am I?
Answer: Mississippi River
Riddle 37
I am the hottest, driest and lowest point in North America located in Death Valley, California. What geographic place am I?
Answer: Badwater Basin
Riddle 38
I am the largest freshwater island in the world, located between the United States and Canada. What island am I?
Answer: Isle Royale
Riddle 39
I am the largest coral reef in North America, located off the coast of Florida and the Florida Keys. What colorful reef am I?
Answer: Great Florida Reef
Riddle 40
I am the tallest waterfall in North America, located on the Niagara River between New York and Canada’s Ontario province. What thundering waterfall am I?
Answer: Niagara Falls
Riddle 41
I am a famous national historic site located in South Dakota featuring massive sculpted heads of U.S. presidents. What monument am I?
Answer: Mount Rushmore
Riddle 42
I am the capital and largest city in Mexico. I am one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. What bustling metropolis am I?
Answer: Mexico City
Riddle 43
I am the largest tropical rainforest in North America, located in southern Mexico and northern Guatemala. What jungle am I?
Answer: Selva Maya
Riddle 44
I am the national animal of the United States. I am a large bird of prey with mostly dark brown plumage. What majestic bird am I?
Answer: Bald eagle
Riddle 45
I am the only active volcano in North America, located on Hawaii’s Big Island. What volcano am I?
Answer: Kilauea
Conclusion
How did you do with these North American riddles? This continent is enormously diverse, which is reflected in its rich geography, history, culture, cuisine, wildlife and landscapes. Testing your knowledge with fun riddles is a great way to learn more about this part of the world. Whether you got them all right or still have more to learn, exploring the many wonders of North America is an adventure for all!
