The world is a vast and diverse place, teeming with an incredible array of cultures, languages, and traditions. These differences give us our unique identities, shaping our perspectives and ways of life. Celebrating and learning about cultures from around the world broadens our horizons and fosters empathy, understanding, and a greater appreciation for the richness of human experience.
In our increasingly interconnected world, it’s more important than ever for students to develop a deep global awareness. Exploring different cultures allows students to expand their minds, challenge preconceived notions, and become more compassionate global citizens. This is why understanding and celebrating cultural diversity is crucial—not just in classrooms but in our daily lives.
To honor the beauty of global diversity, we’ve created a fun and educational quiz. Test your knowledge with these fascinating cultural trivia questions and learn something new about the world we share. (The answers are revealed at the end!)
Culture and Diversity Quiz
Linguistic Diversity
Which CONTINENT is the most linguistically diverse in the world?
Africa is home to anywhere from 800 to 1,500 of the world’s languages, making it the most linguistically diverse continent.
What’s the most linguistically diverse country in the world?
With more than 840 languages spoken, Papua New Guinea holds the title of the most linguistically diverse country. Some say this is due to the country’s isolation, with over 80% of the population living in rural areas and having little contact with outside influences. Although English is the official language, only 1–2% of the population speaks it.
Which language has the most native speakers in the world?
With nearly 1.3 billion native speakers, Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language in the world. This is followed by Spanish with 485,063,960, English with 379,682,200, and Arabic with 373,000,000.
What language is considered the hardest for English speakers to learn?
The hardest language to learn is also the most widely spoken native language in the world: Mandarin Chinese. Its writing system is extremely difficult for English speakers (and anyone else) accustomed to the Latin alphabet.
Geographical Diversity
Which country is known as “the land of no rivers”?
Saudi Arabia has no permanent rivers, and most of its fresh water comes from desalination plants or underground reservoirs.
Which country has the most natural lakes?
Canada has the most natural lakes in the world, with some estimates of more than 2 million. In fact, lakes cover about 9% of Canada’s surface area. Many of Canada’s lakes were formed by glaciers that melted during the last Ice Age, along with glaciers in other Northern Hemisphere countries like Russia, Scandinavia, and Alaska.
Which country is the largest producer of oxygen?
Siberia, in Russia, is home to about 25% of the world’s forests, making Russia the largest producer of oxygen globally. However, the ocean is estimated to produce about half of the Earth’s oxygen, with the majority coming from oceanic plankton.
Which country is the most mountainous?
Bhutan is the most mountainous country in the world, with mountains covering 98.8% of its land. The small South Asian country is located in the eastern Himalayas and has an average elevation of 10,760 feet (3,280 meters) above sea level.
Which country is the flattest?
The Maldives, an island chain in the Indian Ocean, is the flattest country in the world. The country’s terrain is consistently 1.5 meters above sea level or about 5 feet above sea level.
Cultural and Historical Diversity
Where was the world’s oldest fossil found?
A 3.4 billion-year-old fossil was discovered in Australia, making it the location of the oldest known fossil.
Which country is known for having the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites?
Italy is home to 60 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the most of any country in the world. These sites include cultural, historical, and natural landmarks.
What are the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World?
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World are: Great Pyramid of Giza, Colossus of Rhodes, Lighthouse of Alexandria, Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Temple of Artemis, Statue of Zeus at Olympia, and Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
What are the Seven Wonders of the Modern World as named by the American Society of Civil Engineers?
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) honored the following civil engineering achievements of the 20th century: the Channel Tunnel (England & France), the CN Tower (Toronto), the Empire State Building (New York), the Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco), Itaipú Dam (Brazil/Paraguay), the Netherlands North Sea Protection Works (Netherlands), and the Panama Canal (Panama).
What is the most widely practiced religion in the world?
Christianity is the most widely practiced religion in the world, with 31.1% of the global population identifying as Christian as of July 2024. Islam is the second most practiced religion, with 24.9% of the global population identifying as Muslim.
Fun Cultural Facts
How much pizza do Americans eat each day?
Americans consume approximately 100 acres of pizza daily, which equals about 3 billion pizzas sold annually.
Who consumes the most ice cream?
New Zealanders consume the most ice cream per capita in the world, eating around 28 liters (eight gallons) per person each year. The U.S. is second, with Americans consuming around 26 liters (seven gallons) per person annually.
What is the most popular sport in the world?
Soccer, also known as football, is considered the most popular sport in the world, with an estimated 4 billion fans globally. The FIFA World Cup, held every four years, draws billions of viewers from around the world, with more than a billion people watching the finals alone.
Where was pasta invented?
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) honored the following civil engineering achievements of the 20th century: the Channel Tunnel (England & France), the CN Tower (Toronto), the Empire State Building (New York), the Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco), Itaipú Dam (Brazil/Paraguay), the Netherlands North Sea Protection Works (Netherlands), and the Panama Canal (Panama).
When was the first modern Olympics?
The first modern Olympic Games took place in Athens, Greece, from April 6–15, 1896.
Where was the first modern Olympics?
Nepal has the most public holidays in the world, with 39 holidays celebrated each year. These holidays bring the country to a standstill and allow people to come together in the spirit of community and celebration.
Embracing Global Diversity
Learning about your own heritage and celebrating cultures from around the world is more than just fun trivia—it’s a step towards building a more inclusive and understanding world. K12-powered schools are committed to providing flexible education that meets the diverse needs of students everywhere. By fostering a love for learning and a respect for global cultures, we help students become thoughtful, informed, and compassionate global citizens.
Check out the answers to the quiz below. Have a cultural fact of your own? Share it with us in the comments!