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Quizzes > Geography > Maps & Flags

13 Colonies Map Quiz: Pinpoint Every Colony!

Ready to master the map of the thirteen colonies quiz? Begin now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper art map of the thirteen colonies on a golden yellow background with text inviting users to test geography skills

Use this 13 Colonies Map Quiz to pinpoint each colony on the map and see where you're solid and where you need review before a history test. When you're done, keep practicing with our related colonies quiz or try a fresh set of questions in the practice version .

Easy
Which colony is directly north of the Colony of Massachusetts?
New York
New Hampshire
Connecticut
Rhode Island
On colonial maps, New Hampshire is depicted immediately north of Massachusetts Bay Colony. It separated as its own royal colony in 1679. The two share a long land border extending from the Atlantic coast to northern lakes.
Which colony is the smallest by land area among the original 13?
Rhode Island
New Jersey
Connecticut
Delaware
Rhode Island is the smallest of the original thirteen colonies, covering just over 1,000 square miles. Its compact geography includes Narragansett Bay and a rugged coastline. Despite its size, it played an outsized role in colonial trade and politics.
Which colony is directly south of Pennsylvania?
Virginia
Delaware
Maryland
New York
On colonial maps, Maryland is located directly south of Pennsylvania. The boundary dispute between these two colonies was later settled by the Mason - Dixon Line. Maryland's northern border touches Pennsylvania's southern edge.
Which colony is the southernmost of the original 13?
South Carolina
Virginia
North Carolina
Georgia
Georgia was the southernmost of the thirteen colonies, bordered to the west and south by Spanish Florida. Founded in 1732, it extended from the Savannah River to the St. Mary's River. This position placed Georgia at the frontier of British colonial territory.
Which colony is directly east of New York?
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
New Jersey
Connecticut
Connecticut lies directly east of New York on colonial maps, sharing a long border from the Hudson River to the Long Island Sound. This boundary stems from competing Dutch and English claims resolved in the 17th century. Connecticut's position made it a vital link between New England and the middle colonies.
Which colony is located between New York and Pennsylvania on colonial maps?
Maryland
New Jersey
Connecticut
Delaware
New Jersey sits between New York to the north and Pennsylvania to the west on colonial maps. It was divided into East and West Jersey before unification in 1702. Its location on the mid-Atlantic coast made it a crossroads for trade and migration.
Which colony lies on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay?
Maryland
Delaware
Virginia
Pennsylvania
Virginia occupies most of the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, extending from the bay's northern reaches down to its mouth. Maryland lies to the north and east across the bay. Virginia's coastal plain and Tidewater region were central to its plantation economy.
Which colony's coastline includes Cape Fear?
Georgia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Virginia
Cape Fear is a prominent headland on the coast of North Carolina, marking its southeastern tip. Early maps labeled the adjacent river and sound accordingly. The area was a key navigation point for colonial shipping.
Medium
Which colony, founded by William Penn, is located directly west of New Jersey?
New York
Pennsylvania
Delaware
Maryland
William Penn received his charter for Pennsylvania in 1681, and the colony lies directly west of New Jersey across the Delaware River. Its capital, Philadelphia, became a central hub in colonial America. The placement west of New Jersey facilitated trade and westward expansion.
Which colony's western border is largely defined by the crest of the Appalachian Mountains?
Georgia
Virginia
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
Virginia's western boundary roughly follows the Appalachian Mountain crest, which separated colonial settlements from interior tribal lands. This natural barrier influenced settlement patterns and defense strategies. Maps from the 18th century often show the mountains as the western limit of the colony.
Which colony shares a border with both New York and Pennsylvania?
Connecticut
New Jersey
Delaware
Maryland
New Jersey borders New York to the north and Pennsylvania to the west on colonial-era maps. Its strategic position provided access to key rivers and ports. The colony's boundaries were confirmed by royal decree in 1702.
Which colony's northern border with New York was disputed and involved the 1683 "Line of Property" charter?
Connecticut
New Hampshire
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Connecticut's 1662 charter granted it land westward to the "South Sea," overlapping New York's claims. The 1683 "Line of Property" attempted to define the boundary along a north - south line. This dispute persisted until a royal commission intervened.
Which colony's coast is indented by the Chesapeake Bay, forming its eastern shoreline?
Maryland
Virginia
Delaware
North Carolina
Maryland's eastern shore is characterized by its deep inlets into the Chesapeake Bay, including the Patuxent and Choptank rivers. This bay indentation shaped its colonial economy of shipping and tobacco farming. Maps from the period clearly show Maryland hugging the bay.
Which colony's southern coast includes the Outer Banks barrier islands?
South Carolina
North Carolina
Virginia
Georgia
The Outer Banks are a series of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina, protecting the mainland from storms and waves. Colonial maps label these shoals and inlets as vital navigation landmarks. They remain one of the state's most distinctive geographic features.
Which colony's territory includes both Cape Ann and Cape Cod Bay?
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
Massachusetts
Connecticut
Massachusetts Bay Colony's northern coastline includes Cape Ann and extends south to Cape Cod Bay. These peninsulas were key fishing and shipbuilding centers in the 17th century. Cartographers often highlighted their unique shapes on maps.
Which colony was the last of the original 13 to be founded?
Delaware
Pennsylvania
Georgia
New York
Georgia was chartered in 1732 as the last of the thirteen colonies, intended as a buffer against Spanish Florida. It was founded by James Oglethorpe and settled thereafter. No other colony was established later than Georgia.
Hard
Which colony's capital was moved from Jamestown to Williamsburg in 1699?
North Carolina
South Carolina
Maryland
Virginia
Virginia's colonial legislature relocated the capital from Jamestown to Middle Plantation, which was then renamed Williamsburg, in 1699. The move was driven by health concerns and better defensible terrain. Williamsburg remained the capital until shortly after the Revolution.
Which colony encompassed the New Haven Colony before merging under the 1662 charter?
Rhode Island
Massachusetts
New York
Connecticut
The New Haven Colony merged with Connecticut under the 1662 royal charter, consolidating both jurisdictions. Connecticut's charter granted it land extending westward, which included the New Haven settlements. This political union ended New Haven's autonomy.
Which colony's boundary dispute with Maryland was settled by the Mason - Dixon Line in the 1760s?
Virginia
Pennsylvania
Delaware
New Jersey
The Mason - Dixon Line was surveyed between 1763 and 1767 to resolve a long-standing dispute between Pennsylvania and Maryland over their mutual border. Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon ran the line at the latitude of 39°43? N. It later became symbolic in U.S. history.
What was the name of the original single province that later split into North and South?
Province of Massachusetts
Colony of Virginia
Province of Carolina
Province of New York
The Province of Carolina was chartered in 1663 and covered a vast territory before officially splitting into North Carolina and South Carolina in 1712. This division reflected administrative challenges and differing settlement patterns. Maps from the late 17th century still show Carolina as one entity.
Which colony's charter, granted in 1732, included lands extending to the Pacific Ocean, though never colonized?
South Carolina
Georgia
North Carolina
Virginia
King George II's 1732 charter for Georgia nominally extended from the Atlantic coast all the way to the Pacific, similar to many colonial charters. In practice, the colony settled only the coastal plain. The western claims were never enforced.
Which colony was the only one established as a proprietary colony under the Calvert family?
Maryland
Rhode Island
Delaware
Pennsylvania
Maryland was granted to Cecilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore, as a proprietary colony in 1632. The Calvert family governed it with broad powers until the American Revolution. This proprietary model contrasted with royal and charter colonies.
Which colony was formerly the Dutch colony New Netherland before English control in 1664?
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
New York
Delaware
New Netherland was a Dutch colony established in the early 17th century, encompassing parts of present-day New York, New Jersey, and Delaware. England seized it in 1664, renaming the territory New York after the Duke of York. This transfer changed the region's cultural and political landscape.
Expert
Which colony's irregular "Wedge" panhandle between Pennsylvania and Maryland was a result of colonial-era boundary disputes?
Maryland
New Jersey
Delaware
Pennsylvania
The so-called New Castle or Delaware Wedge was disputed territory between Pennsylvania and Maryland due to ambiguous wording in 17th-century deeds. It was eventually ruled as part of Delaware in the 18th century. This irregular panhandle remains visible on modern maps.
0
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Original Colonies -

    Learn to recognize and name all 13 of the original colonies that laid the foundation of early America.

  2. Pinpoint Colony Locations -

    Accurately locate each colony on a map of colonial America, enhancing spatial awareness of historic regions.

  3. Distinguish Colonial Regions -

    Differentiate between the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies by their geographic and cultural groupings.

  4. Analyze Spatial Relationships -

    Examine how the proximity and boundaries of the colonies influenced trade, travel, and settlement patterns.

  5. Strengthen Geography Skills -

    Apply interactive map-based exercises to improve your overall geographic literacy and map-reading abilities.

  6. Assess and Improve Accuracy -

    Use instant quiz feedback to evaluate your performance and reinforce correct colony placements for better retention.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Regional Groupings -

    Understanding that the original 13 colonies are split into New England (MA, NH, RI, CT), the Middle Colonies (NY, NJ, PA, DE), and the Southern Colonies (MD, VA, NC, SC, GA) is key for any 13 colonies map quiz. A handy mnemonic - "Nifty Mice Sing" (New England, Middle, Southern) - helps you recall the three regions and their member colonies. Mapping these groups first grounds your geography review in clear, manageable sections.

  2. Founding Dates Timeline -

    Plotting when each colony was established (e.g., Virginia in 1607, Massachusetts in 1620, Georgia in 1733) on a chronological axis helps anchor locations in time and space. Use a simple timeline drawn beneath your blank map to connect dates with pinpoints - this technique is recommended by the National Archives for historical cartography study. Seeing dates and positions together sharpens both your temporal and spatial recall.

  3. Natural Boundaries & Landmarks -

    Rivers like the Hudson and Chesapeake Bay, plus features like the Appalachian Mountains, often define colonial borders. Labeling these on your practice map (Library of Congress source) gives context clues that guide you to the right colony - e.g., Pennsylvania hugs the Delaware River. Remember: "Rivers Rule Regions" as a mnemonic to prioritize natural landmarks when you pin colonies.

  4. Capitals & Major Settlements -

    Knowing Boston, Jamestown, Philadelphia, and Charleston pinpoints helps anchor colonies on the quiz map. Practice by marking these three or four key cities on a blank outline, then draw the colony boundaries around them - this cross”referencing method is endorsed by university history departments. Associating cities with their parent colonies boosts your accuracy in the american 13 colonies map quiz.

  5. Interactive Map Practice -

    Regularly test yourself using a map of the thirteen colonies quiz from reputable sources like the Smithsonian Learning Lab to get instant feedback. Adopting the "write”and”erase" method - label, check, then wipe clean - reinforces memory through active recall and spaced repetition. This strategy, proven in educational research journals, turns your review into a dynamic, confidence”building game.

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