Using the map
Move the map by dragging it. To zoom, spread two fingers or roll the mouse wheel; the plus, minus and frame buttons do the same and bring back the full view. A tap only counts when you press and release without moving, so panning never answers by accident.
Small states get a dot that you can tap. At the world view on a phone, countries such as Belgium or Slovenia are easier to hit after one zoom in. Anything outside the chosen region is shaded darker and cannot be tapped.
Points work as in every quiz here: 100 for a right answer plus up to 50 for speed. A hint circles the general area, deliberately not centred on the answer, and halves the points.
Getting your bearings
- Learn rivers and coasts as landmarks. Countries that touch the sea are easier to place from the shape of the coast.
- Use the big countries as frames. Once you know where Brazil, Russia or Algeria sit, their neighbours fall into place around them.
- In Europe and the Caribbean, zoom first and then look. A careful tap is worth more than a fast miss.
- After a miss, read the distance. Two hundred kilometres off means the right neighbourhood; two thousand means it is worth a look at the atlas.
Each Atlas page for a region lists its countries by area with population figures, handy for learning one region at a time.
Levels in practice
On easy you are asked about the larger and better-known countries of the region. Medium widens the list, and hard leaves out only the easiest quarter, so small and remote countries come up often. Every wrong tap draws a dashed line between your guess and the right country, and the results card lists each miss, so a single round on hard teaches the map quickly.
Questions
How are borders drawn?
From Natural Earth's de facto country outlines. Disputed territories are shown as neutral grey land and are never asked.
Why does the map look simplified?
It is drawn at a world scale that keeps the page light. Small islands and lakes are left out, and tiny states get a dot.
What gives rays on the Venture lamp?
The same as Flags: finish the eight questions to light it, five right answers for two rays, seven or more for three.
Can I use the keyboard?
Yes. With the map focused, the arrow keys move a cursor from country to country, it is read out for screen readers, and Enter answers.