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Quizzes > Geography

Kansas trivia questions to test your Sunflower State smarts

Take a quick, free Kansas trivia quiz. Instant results and answers.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Jesse LuckettUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art Kansas silhouette with landmarks compass history icons quiz design on sky blue background

This Kansas trivia quiz helps you check what you know about Kansas history, places, and people. Answer quick questions and see your score right away. Love sports or more state facts? Try Kansas City Chiefs trivia, expand with state trivia questions, or explore a neighbor with Iowa trivia.

What is the capital of Kansas?
Kansas City
Manhattan
Topeka
Wichita
Topeka was chosen as the capital of Kansas in 1855 and remains the seat of government. It is located near the geographic center of the state along the Kansas River. The city houses the Governor's Mansion and the state legislature.
What is the official nickname of Kansas?
Sunflower State
Cornhusker State
Prairie State
Show-Me State
Kansas is known as the Sunflower State in honor of the native wild sunflower that grows abundantly across its plains. This nickname reflects the state's agricultural heritage and natural beauty. Sunflowers have been an important symbol in Kansas since the 19th century.
Which state does NOT border Kansas?
Arkansas
Oklahoma
Colorado
Missouri
Kansas is bordered by Nebraska to the north, Missouri to the east, Oklahoma to the south, and Colorado to the west. It does not share a border with Arkansas, which lies to the southeast of Missouri. The state's rectangular shape gives it a straightforward set of neighboring states.
What is the largest city in Kansas by population?
Topeka
Overland Park
Kansas City
Wichita
Wichita is the largest city in Kansas, with a population over 390,000. It is a major manufacturing and cultural hub in south-central Kansas. Wichita is known as the Air Capital of the World due to its large number of aircraft manufacturing companies.
What is the state flower of Kansas?
Sunflower
Lilac
Rose
Goldenrod
The sunflower was adopted as the state flower of Kansas in 1903. It is native to the region and symbolizes the state's prairie landscape. These bright yellow flowers grow abundantly across the state in summer.
Which river forms part of the eastern border of Kansas?
Mississippi River
Kansas River
Arkansas River
Missouri River
The Missouri River forms much of Kansas's northeastern boundary with Missouri. It is one of the longest rivers in North America. The river played a crucial role in exploration and settlement of the region.
In what year did Kansas become a state?
1870
1803
1854
1861
Kansas was admitted to the Union as the 34th state on January 29, 1861. Its admission came after years of conflict over slavery known as "Bleeding Kansas." The state's entry helped shape the political landscape leading up to the Civil War.
What is the state bird of Kansas?
Northern cardinal
Blue jay
American robin
Western meadowlark
The western meadowlark was designated the state bird of Kansas in 1937. Known for its distinctive flute-like song, it inhabits open prairies and grasslands. The bird's bright yellow chest and pleasant call make it a familiar sight and sound across the state.
Which famous sharpshooter and exhibition shooter lived much of her life in Kansas?
Belle Starr
Annie Oakley
Jane Addams
Calamity Jane
Annie Oakley moved to North America in her youth and later settled near Cincinnati, but her career as a sharpshooter had strong ties to Kansas through Wild West shows. She became widely known as "Little Sure Shot." Oakley's exhibitions toured worldwide, often featuring her marksmanship in Kansas events.
Which university is located in Manhattan, Kansas?
Emporia State University
Kansas State University
Wichita State University
University of Kansas
Kansas State University, founded in 1863, is located in Manhattan, Kansas. It was the first land-grant college established under the Morrill Act. The university is known for its programs in agriculture, engineering, and applied sciences.
What is the official state mammal of Kansas?
American bison
Coyote
White-tailed deer
Pronghorn
The American bison was designated the state mammal of Kansas in 2015. Once nearly extinct, the bison is a symbol of the Great Plains and prairie ecosystems. Conservation efforts in Kansas have helped restore healthy bison herds.
Which historic mail service, famous for speedy delivery, ran through Kansas in the early 1860s?
Santa Fe Trail courier
Oregon Trail mail
Pony Express
Transcontinental Railroad mail
The Pony Express operated from April 1860 to October 1861, with stations across Kansas providing fast mail delivery between Missouri and California. Riders covered nearly 2,000 miles in about ten days. The service dramatically reduced communication times before the telegraph.
Which National Historic Site in Kansas preserves a frontier fort used during the Indian Wars?
Fort Leavenworth
Fort Dodge
Fort Larned National Historic Site
Fort Scott
Fort Larned was established in 1859 near the Santa Fe Trail to protect travelers. It became a key military post during conflicts known as the Indian Wars. Today, it is preserved as a National Historic Site near Larned, Kansas.
In which Kansas city was aviator Amelia Earhart born?
Wichita
Topeka
Atchison
Kansas City
Amelia Earhart was born on July 24, 1897, in Atchison, Kansas. The city celebrates her legacy with an annual festival and a museum dedicated to her life. Earhart became a pioneering aviator and the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
What is Kansas's rank among U.S. states by land area?
22nd
15th
10th
34th
Kansas covers about 82,278 square miles, making it the 15th largest state in the U.S. It spans 410 miles east to west and 211 miles north to south. The state's flat terrain contributes to its substantial agricultural output.
The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, protecting one of the last tallgrass prairies, is located in which Kansas county?
Chase County
Douglas County
Jackson County
Riley County
The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is located near Strong City in Chase County. It protects a remnant of the once vast tallgrass prairie ecosystem. The preserve offers guided tours, bison herds, and historical ranch structures.
How many electoral votes does Kansas have in the Electoral College?
8
6
5
7
Kansas has four congressional districts plus two senators, giving it six electoral votes. This number has remained consistent since the 1990 census. Electoral votes determine presidential election outcomes.
Which 1854 act allowed settlers in the Kansas Territory to decide on slavery by popular sovereignty?
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Fugitive Slave Act
Missouri Compromise
Compromise of 1850
The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska and allowed settlers to vote on slavery. It effectively repealed the Missouri Compromise. The act led to violent confrontations known as "Bleeding Kansas."
What is the name of the highest geographical point in Kansas?
Flint Hills Peak
Mount Katahdin
Mount Sunlight
Mount Sunflower
Mount Sunflower is the highest natural point in Kansas at 4,039 feet above sea level. It is located near the Colorado border in Wallace County. Despite its name, it is a gentle rise rather than a distinct peak.
The Kansas River is formed by the confluence of which two rivers?
Big Blue and Wakarusa Rivers
Republican and Smoky Hill Rivers
Kansas and Arkansas Rivers
Missouri and Platte Rivers
The Kansas River, also known as the Kaw, begins at Junction City where the Republican and Smoky Hill Rivers meet. It flows eastward for 148 miles before joining the Missouri River at Kansas City. The river valley played a key role in Kansas's settlement.
Which is the largest National Wildlife Refuge in Kansas, known for its wetlands and bird migrations?
Quivira National Wildlife Refuge
Cimarron National Wildlife Refuge
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area
Quivira National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 22,000 acres of salt marshes, wetlands, and grasslands in central Kansas. It is a critical stopover for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. The refuge is part of the larger Cheyenne Bottoms ecosystem.
What is the state motto of Kansas?
Union and Liberty
Ad astra per aspera
Forward ever
Home on the Plains
"Ad astra per aspera," Latin for "To the stars through difficulties," is the official state motto of Kansas. It was adopted in 1861 upon statehood. The phrase reflects both the pioneer spirit and the challenges faced by early settlers.
In which city is the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library located?
Wichita
Abilene
Lawrence
Topeka
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home are in Abilene, Kansas, the president's hometown. The complex preserves his papers and artifacts. It serves as a research center for scholars of the Eisenhower administration.
In what year did the Santa Fe Trail officially cease operation due to the arrival of the railroad?
1865
1872
1890
1880
The Santa Fe Trail, a vital commercial highway from Missouri to New Mexico, declined after the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway reached Santa Fe in 1880. The railroad provided faster and safer transport than wagon caravans. The trail's historic route is now marked by trails and museums.
What is the official state soil of Kansas?
Harney soil
Bokar soil
Hagerstown soil
Miami soil
Harney soil was designated the state soil of Kansas in 1990. It is a deep, well-drained prairie soil found on uplands in east-central Kansas. Recognizing it highlights the importance of soil conservation in the state.
The name 'Kansas' is derived from which Native American tribe?
Cherokee tribe
Kansa (Kaw) tribe
Osage tribe
Pawnee tribe
The state name 'Kansas' comes from the Kansa or Kaw people who lived along the river that now bears their name. French explorers recorded it as "les Kansas." The tribe's name likely meant "people of the south wind."
Who was the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress from Kansas?
Jocelyn Burdick
Kathryn O'Loughlin McCarthy
Alice Bacon
Nancy Kassebaum
Kathryn O'Loughlin McCarthy, elected in 1932, was the first woman to represent Kansas in Congress. She served one term in the House of Representatives from 1933 to 1935. Her election came during the Great Depression era.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Kansas geography features -

    Locate major rivers, plains, and landmarks across the Sunflower State to strengthen your Kansas geography trivia knowledge.

  2. Recall historical milestones -

    Summarize significant events from Kansas statehood to Jayhawker legacies to boost your Kansas history quiz performance.

  3. Differentiate key cultural icons -

    Distinguish famous Kansans and state symbols to deepen your understanding of local heritage.

  4. Apply critical thinking skills -

    Use logic and deduction to answer challenging quiz questions and improve test-taking strategies.

  5. Evaluate your state knowledge -

    Assess your mastery of Kansas trivia and identify areas for further exploration and learning.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Geographic Landmarks and Boundaries -

    Kansas sits at the heart of the U.S., straddling the 100th meridian - this invisible line divides its humid east from arid west (University of Kansas Geography Dept). Remember "East Wet, West Dry" to ace those Kansas geography trivia questions on your next Kansas Trivia Quiz.

  2. Climate and Tornado Alley -

    Kansas experiences extreme weather, residing squarely in Tornado Alley with an average of 60 tornadoes per year (NOAA). Use the mnemonic "KANSAS: Keep Analyzing Nature's Storms And Squalls" to recall key climate facts for your Test Your Kansas Knowledge challenge.

  3. Statehood and Bleeding Kansas -

    Admitted in 1861, Kansas was a battleground over slavery during "Bleeding Kansas" (KS Historical Society). A simple timeline - 1854 (Kansas - Nebraska Act), 1856 (Lawrence raid), 1861 (statehood) - will lock in your Kansas history quiz answers.

  4. Brown v. Board of Education -

    In 1954, the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Topeka ended school segregation nationwide (Library of Congress). Link "Brown" with "Books for All" to cement this pivotal moment for your Kansas history quiz section.

  5. Agricultural Prowess and the Wheat State -

    Kansas grows about one-fifth of U.S. wheat, earning its nickname "Breadbasket of the World" (USDA). Remember the fraction 1/5 to score high on Kansas quiz questions about its economy and crops.

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