Geography Challenge Week 1 Discover fun facts with three levels of geography questions.

Level 1 (Grades 3-5) A part of the state of Florida extends into the ocean. It is called the Florida Keys. The first undersea park in the continental United States was John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Can you find the park on a map?

Level 2 (Grades 5-7) The nickname for the state of Florida is the Sunshine State. "Full of flowers" is the meaning of the Spanish word florida. What is a nickname for your state?

Level 3 (Grades 6 and up) The highest temperature ever recorded in the United States was in Death Valley, California, on July 10, 1913: 134°F (57°C). What is the highest recorded temperature in your state?

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Geography Challenge Answers

Week 1

Level 1

Have students locate John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park on a map.

Hint: This park is located near Key Largo.

Level 2

Have students use text books, encyclopedias, Internet sites, or other resources to discover the nickname of their state.

Here's a list of all the states and their nicknames.

State	Nickname
Alabama	Yellowhammer State
Alaska	The Last Frontier or Land of the Midnight Sun
Arizona	Grand Canyon State
Arkansas	Natural State
California	Golden State
Colorado	Centennial State
Connecticut	Constitution State (official, 1959); Nutmeg State
Delaware	Diamond State; First State; Small Wonder
Florida	Sunshine State (1970)
Georgia	Peach State, Empire State of the South
Hawaii	Aloha State (1959)
Idaho	Gem State
Illinois	Prairie State
Indiana	Hoosier State
Iowa	Hawkeye State
Kansas	Sunflower State; Jayhawk State
Kentucky	Bluegrass State
Louisiana	Pelican State
Maine	Pine Tree State
Maryland	Free State; Old Line State
Massachusetts	Bay State; Old Colony State
Michigan	Wolverine State
Minnesota	North Star State; Gopher State; Land of 10,000 Lakes
Mississippi	Magnolia State
Missouri	Show-Me State
Montana	Treasure State
Nebraska	Cornhusker State (1945); Beef State
Nevada	Sagebrush State; Silver State; Battle Born State
New Hampshire	Granite State
New Jersey	Garden State
New Mexico	Land of Enchantment (1999)
New York	Empire State
North Carolina	Tar Heel State
North Dakota	Sioux State; Flickertail State; Peace Garden State; Rough Rider State
Ohio	Buckeye State
Oklahoma	Sooner State
Oregon	Beaver State
Pennsylvania	Keystone State
Rhode Island	Ocean State
South Carolina	Palmetto State
South Dakota	Mount Rushmore State; Coyote State
Tennessee	Volunteer State
Texas	Lone Star State
Utah	Beehive State
Vermont	Green Mountain State
Virginia	The Old Dominion; Mother of Presidents
Washington	Evergreen State
West Virginia	Mountain State
Wisconsin	Badger State
Wyoming	Equality State

Level 3

Have students use text books, encyclopedias, Internet sites, or other resources to discover the highest recorded temperature in their state.

Temperature highs and lows vary tremendously from state to state. Here are the highest recorded temperatures listed by state.

State	Temp. °F	Temp. °C	Date	Station
Alabama	112	44	Sept. 5, 1925	Centerville
Alaska	100	38	June 27, 1915	Fort Yukon
Arizona	128	53	June 29, 1994	Lake Havasu City
Arkansas	120	49	Aug. 10, 1936	Ozark
California	134	57	July 10, 1913	Greenland Ranch
Colorado	118	48	July 11, 1888	Bennett
Connecticut	106	41	July 15, 1995	Danbury
Delaware	110	43	July 21, 1930	Millsboro
D.C.	106	41	July 20, 1930	Washington
Florida	109	43	June 29, 1931	Monticello
Georgia	112	44	Aug. 20, 1983	Greenville
Hawaii	100	38	Apr. 27, 1931	Pahala
Idaho	118	48	July 28, 1934	Orofino
Illinois	117	47	July 14, 1954	E. St. Louis
Indiana	116	47	July 14, 1936	Collegeville
Iowa	118	48	July 20, 1934	Keokuk
Kansas	121	49	July 24, 1936 ^*	Alton (near)
Kentucky	114	46	July 28, 1930	Greensburg
Louisiana	114	46	Aug. 10, 1936	Plain Dealing
Maine	105	41	July 10, 1911^*	North Bridgton
Maryland	109	43	July 10, 1936^*	Cumberland & Frederick
Massachusetts	107	42	Aug. 2, 1975	New Bedford & Chester
Michigan	112	44	July 13, 1936	Mio
Minnesota	114	46	July 6, 1936 ^*	Moorhead
Mississippi	115	46	July 29, 1930	Holly Springs
Missouri	118	48	July 14, 1954^*	Warsaw & Union
Montana	117	47	July 5, 1937	Medicine Lake
Nebraska	118	48	July 24, 1936 ^*	Minden
Nevada	125	52	June 29, 1994	Laughlin
New Hampshire	106	41	July 4, 1911	Nashua
New Jersey	110	43	July 10, 1936	Runyon
New Mexico	122	50	June 27, 1994	Waste Isolat. Pilot Pit
New York	108	42	July 22, 1926	Troy
North Carolina	110	43	Aug. 21, 1983	Fayetteville
North Dakota	121	49	July 6, 1936	Steele
Ohio	113	45	July 21, 1934^*	Gallipolis (near)
Oklahoma	120	49	June 27, 1994^*	Tipton
Oregon	119	48	Aug. 10, 1898	Pendleton
Pennsylvania	111	44	July 10, 1936^*	Phoenixville
Rhode Island	104	40	Aug. 2, 1975	Providence
South Carolina	111	44	June 28, 1954^*	Camden
South Dakota	120	49	July 5, 1936	Gannvalley
Tennessee	113	45	Aug. 9, 1930^*	Perryville
Texas	120	49	Aug. 12, 1936	Seymour
Utah	117	47	July 5, 1895	Saint George
Vermont	105	41	July 4, 1911	Vernon
Virginia	110	43	July 15, 1954	Balcony Falls
Washington	118	48	Aug. 5, 1961^*	Ice Harbor Dam
West Virginia	112	44	July 10, 1936^*	Martinsburg
Wisconsin	114	46	July 13, 1936	Wisconsin Dells
Wyoming	114	46	July 12, 1900	Basin

* Also on earlier dates at the same or other places.

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Geography Challenge

Week 1

Level 1 (Grades 3-5)

Level 2 (Grades 5-7)

Level 3 (Grades 6 and up)

Geography Challenge Answers

Week 1

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

stay connected

FREE Article - 1st of 3 Free Items

Geography Challenge

Week 1

Level 1 (Grades 3-5)

Level 2 (Grades 5-7)

Level 3 (Grades 6 and up)

Geography Challenge Answers

Week 1

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

stay connected

FREE Article - 1^st of 3 Free Items