Q 01/05

The tropics' northern boundary is named after Cancer. What is the southern one named after?

A) The Antarctic Circle

B) Scorpio

C) The Equatorial Belt

D) Capricorn

Answer · why

D) Capricorn

Both tropics sit at about 23.4 degrees, matching Earth's axial tilt.

Q 02/05

At roughly what latitude do the two tropics lie?

A) 11.5 degrees

B) 23.4 degrees

C) 33.3 degrees

D) 45 degrees

Answer · why

B) 23.4 degrees

The tropics cover almost 40% of Earth's surface and 36% of its land.

Q 03/05

About what share of Earth's surface area lies within the tropics?

A) 20%

B) 30%

C) 40%

D) 50%

Answer · why

C) 40%

The tropics are also called the torrid zone.

Q 04/05

Which country holds about 60% of the Amazon rainforest?

A) Peru

B) Colombia

C) Brazil

D) Venezuela

Answer · why

C) Brazil

The forest spans nine nations and holds an estimated 390 billion trees of some 16,000 species.

Q 05/05

The Amazon River holds which world record?

A) Widest delta

B) Largest discharge of water

C) Most tributaries over 1,000 km

D) Deepest river

Answer · why

B) Largest discharge of water

Whether it or the Nile is the longest river remains disputed.