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Countries Closest to United States A-Z

For each letter of the alphabet, which countries lie closest to the United States?
Using country names from the Countries of the World quiz
Excludes overseas territories
Quiz by Jerry928
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Last updated: April 4, 2021
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First submittedApril 17, 2015
Times taken65,700
Average score70.8%
Rating4.56
3:00
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Letter
Country
A
Antigua and Barbuda
B
Bahamas
C
Canada
D
Dominican Republic
E
El Salvador
F
Finland
G
Guatemala
H
Haiti
Letter
Country
I
Iceland
J
Jamaica
K
Kiribati
L
Luxembourg
M
Mexico
N
Nicaragua
O
Oman
P
Panama
Letter
Country
Q
Qatar
R
Russia
S
St. Kitts and Nevis
T
Trinidad and Tobago
U
United Kingdom
V
Venezuela
Y
Yemen
Z
Zambia
+2
Level 75
Apr 17, 2015
Yes 100% :D
+3
Level 75
Aug 21, 2015
This advanced version gets you to name the three closest countries to the US for each letter A-Z.
+5
Level 29
May 24, 2018
Got Micronesia but not Russia...
+2
Level 88
Jul 22, 2018
Same here. The only one I missed is the closest besides the only 2 we touch.
+2
Level 71
Apr 17, 2015
Nice!
+2
Level 75
Sep 4, 2015
Also try Quizzer6794's equivalent quiz for the United Kingdom.
+2
Level 76
Apr 19, 2015
Good quiz. I needed about 30 more seconds.
+16
Level 77
Aug 3, 2015
Alright...so I couldn't for the life of me figure out why Cuba wasn't working. Holy Crap!
+2
Level 52
Aug 31, 2015
I think I tried it twice before giving myself a facepalm.
+3
Level 56
Aug 4, 2015
Good Quiz! I was going to ask about why you didn't include France (because of Guadalupe) like the other Countries Closest to the U.S. quiz, but I just went back and saw your comment there about it. I agree with not adding overseas regions. Keeps things simple.
+29
Level 70
Jan 22, 2020
strangely typing France fills in the answer of federated states of micronesia. That doesn't seem right
+5
Level 67
Mar 15, 2020
Same distance, practically.
+21
Level 46
May 27, 2021
I typed france and it said finland like wth
+6
Level 65
Jun 4, 2021
Same 🤷‍♀️
+1
Level 46
Feb 1, 2023
I typed "France" and it gave me Finland. I'm seeing other people having weird issues with this too
+1
Level 78
Aug 6, 2015
Effing Iceland! (Not that I remembered Ireland either). Also those Federated States.. I tried Fiji, Finland and France, each of them 3 times before I concluded there must be an error.
+1
Level 46
May 24, 2018
i literally thought 'iceland' put didnt type it. why, me?
+2
Level 46
Feb 1, 2023
I tried France and it filled in Finland. I'm hearing other people having odd issues with this too.
+1
Level 85
Aug 22, 2015
I seriously doubt that the distance between Hawaii and Micronesia is inferior to that between mainland USA and Guadeloupe...
+1
Level 75
Aug 31, 2015
It isn't. If you exclude overseas territories and departments, Fed St Micronesia is closest, via Hawaii, 4356 km / 2707 miles away. If you include overseas territories and departments, then Guadeloupe, 335 km / 208 miles from US Virgin Islands, makes France the closest.
+1
Level 64
Jan 18, 2023
I know France is accepted as an answer now, but I do want to reiterate the point that if your definition of 'overseas territories' excludes Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana, then by that same definition it also excludes Hawaii. Including Hawaii as a non-overseas territory of the US is just an exercise in American exceptionalism and at odds with factual reality.
+9
Level 85
Sep 10, 2015
If you include Hawaii, then you should include Guadeloupe. France being not a federal state, departements are even more integrated to it than states are to the USA.
+1
Level 74
Oct 3, 2015
But if Federated States of Micronesia works for "F", then I guess Dominion of Canada should work for "D". (And, for a proximity to Greece quiz, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia should work for "T".)
+1
Level 75
Oct 3, 2015
See reply to howard38 below
+5
Level 56
Jan 22, 2020
I guess it's more about: Why shouldn't you count Hawaii as an overseas territory as it is roughly 2000 miles away from mainland US.

Counting Hawaii should also allow French Guyana to be counted towards France.

+1
Level 52
Aug 31, 2015
Might I suggest you accept "FSM" for Federated States of Micronesia?
+1
Level 75
Aug 31, 2015
OK, FSM works now.
+7
Level 67
Apr 3, 2021
That's very offensive to pastafarians, who believe in the Flying Spaghetti Monster as their Lord and Saviour. May you be touched by His Noodly Appendage. Ramen!
+1
Level 29
Apr 4, 2021
uh- ok
+1
Level 57
Jun 18, 2022
this was funny like 10 years ago but maybe the new generation is catching up now
+3
Level 69
Sep 15, 2015
Not quite enough time :-(
+5
Level 83
Sep 15, 2015
Micronesia starts with an F now?
+9
Level 75
Sep 15, 2015
If you're happy for United States to start with a U then do you mind if Federated States starts with an F?
+6
Level 76
Sep 15, 2015
I think there needs to be more consistency with the world country quizzes. Sometimes Congo is accepted for both countries, sometimes not. Sometimes it's Micronesia, sometimes it must be Federated States of Micronesia. No one argues that China should start with a P for People's Republic of China, or Australia should start with a C for Commonwealth of Australia. Your instructions said to use the names of the countries from the Countries of the World quiz, and there Micronesia is an accepted answer, so I didn't even think of it as a possibility for an F country. I don't care what we call the countries as long as there is consistency.
+7
Level 75
Sep 15, 2015
The name of that country is Federated States of Micronesia. Many quizzes (including this one) also accept "Micronesia" as a type-in, but that's not because it's the country's name. It's just to save you typing lots of letters!
+6
Level 33
Sep 18, 2015
But once you start with "that's the name of the country", then you should be consistent. For example, "Republic of Iceland" starts with an "R", not an "I", "United Mexican States" is closer to the USA than the United Kingdom, so that should be the answer for "U"... etc ... etc

I think the "short names" should be used for all countries except maybe for the case of the two Congos (since they share the same name), and that seems to be the general practice with quizzes on this site. Not sure why Micronesia deserves "special treatment".

+1
Level 75
Sep 18, 2015
See reply to howard38 below
+1
Level 83
Jan 10, 2017
What slkrr9 said. Otherwise, the closest D should be the Dominion of Canada.
+2
Level 46
May 24, 2018
jerry, i think it should be the letter people associate with the country, the common name of the country. Most people dont think 'federated states of micronesia', but rather micronesia.
+3
Level 75
May 25, 2018
Agreed, we've changed our tune on this one, and generally we use Micronesia in our quizzes now for that country. We'll stay in synch with Dan's Federated States... usage from the Countries of the World quiz, but now the nearest country starting with F, assuming FSM starts with M, is accepted as a type-in.
+3
Level 46
Jan 23, 2020
I actually typed France and it came correct as Fererated States of Micronesia...LOL
+1
Level 75
May 27, 2021
See our multiple answers to your point elsewhere in this comments section.
+5
Level 83
Sep 15, 2015
And.. Oman, Yemen, Qatar... for some reason they seem to show up on a lot of these countries by letter quizzes.
+2
Level 67
Sep 15, 2015
Can't tell if you're joking, but it's because they're the only countries that start with those letters!
+1
Level 57
Jun 18, 2022
you cant possibly think he's serious
+1
Level 46
Feb 1, 2023
Honestly I wish they would just block those squares out since they're too easy
+1
Level 68
Sep 15, 2015
At least 9% of the quiztakers took this one a second time.
+1
Level 10
Sep 15, 2015
Hard quiz
+1
Level 21
Sep 15, 2015
i got 24/24 and I'm only 2
+2
Level 61
Sep 15, 2015
If Micronesia is counted as Federated Staes of Micronesia then Mexico should be United Mexican States.
+3
Level 75
Sep 15, 2015
Federated States of only appears in front of Micronesia to distinguish the country from the broader region of Oceania which has the same name. Maybe Federated States will evolve into the default name over time rather like United States has managed to do. Overall we use the common names of countries, otherwise there would be a heap of mismatches: not only would, as you point out, Mexico start with U, but North Korea, Venezuela and China would start with D, B and P respectively!
+2
Level 69
May 24, 2018
If you Google Micronesia right now, your first result will be the region but the sidebar and second result will be the country. The US State Department and the United Nations both list Micronesia alphabetically under the letter M with "Federated States" parenthetically following. As you point out, maybe Federated States will evolve over time into the default name, but the fact is, at present, it hasn't.
+1
Level 75
May 25, 2018
Agreed, see our comment just below qcumber's above.
+1
Level 69
Sep 16, 2015
And I was wondering why Cuba wasn't on the list...
+1
Level 38
Oct 30, 2015
I type in Chile first then Canada then Cuba haha
+2
Level 85
May 25, 2018
You typed in Cuba after you had already gotten the correct answer for C?
+1
Level 37
Oct 6, 2016
Because the "C" was taken by Canada
+1
Level 57
Jun 18, 2022
thanks michael owen
+4
Level 65
Sep 16, 2015
There is nowhere near enough time
+1
Level 65
Sep 16, 2015
Because Oman, Qatar, Yemen, and Zambia are near the United States....
+5
Level 60
Sep 18, 2015
When there are only 1 or 2 countries in the world that start with a given letter, they're going to be the closest country to the US no matter where they're geographically located...
+1
Level 64
Nov 11, 2015
Thanks!
+1
Level 51
Dec 23, 2021
Hey, should've done Antarctica! It would be more fun ;')
+1
Level 65
Dec 1, 2015
Federal States of Micronesia? Are you kidding me? All other quizzes is used micronesia
+3
Level 75
May 25, 2018
Are you kidding me? I cannot find any Federal States answers here.
+1
Level 49
Oct 6, 2022
No they don't. Honestly, all the people complaining about the "Federated States of Micronesia" should start with an M are the same type of people saying the "United States of America" starts with an A
+1
Level 68
Jan 3, 2016
bad score... great quiz!
+1
Level 49
Feb 10, 2016
How did I miss ______?????
+3
Level 75
Feb 10, 2016
Probably the same forgetfulness with which you forgot to include it in your comment...
+1
Level 72
Feb 17, 2016
I wish 'Dominican' would work for 'Dominican Republic'...
+2
Level 69
Apr 6, 2021
dr works
+1
Level 51
Mar 11, 2016
Nice quiz. You would be much more loved if you would not use FSO Micronesia.
+1
Level 75
May 25, 2018
You can love me now then - see the comment just after qcumber's above.
+2
Level 71
May 19, 2016
I would have thought that France was nearer to USA than FSO Micronesia is to Hawaii....... don't like the use of FSOM as it's always called Micronesia in the World Quiz which is quoted as derivation.
+1
Level 75
May 25, 2018
It's called Federated States of Micronesia in the World quiz, but now we accept the nearest F country apart from FSM, as a type-in.
+1
Level 70
May 23, 2016
These quizzes need to get together on certain topics. Yes, the official name is Federated States of Micronesia but on other countries quizzes, they use Micronesia, just like Ivory Coast instead of Cote de Ivoire.
+4
Level 71
Jan 28, 2017
Silly to have Micronesia accepted for F and sillier still to expect people (other than dedicated nitpickers) to enter Federated States of Micronesia for F.......... so why not I = Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, R = Republic of Albania, T = Territory of American Samoa, P= Principality of Andorra, C = Commonwealth of Australia, K = Kingdom of Bahrain ..... All of these just as valid as Micronesia's silly F initial. (Many other examples if needed)
+1
Level 78
May 24, 2018
You really should change F. On literally every other quiz it is "Micronesia", and it is also the common short name for the country. I've seen your attempted defense, and it is very weak. Just change it to France and drop Micronesia from the quiz.
+1
Level 75
May 25, 2018
It was an outstanding and brilliantly argued argument actually, but we have changed our tune and are closer to your line of thinking now. Both answers work now.
+1
Level 85
May 25, 2018
Out of curiosity, how far off is Liberia from the actual L answer? Would like to know just how bad my global distance intuition is.
+1
Level 75
May 25, 2018
Liberia 6763 km / 4203 miles; the actual L answer 5293 km / 3289 miles. With Liberia, check out where the nearest point on the US is on a globe - you'll be surprised.
+6
Level 66
Nov 2, 2018
If you type 'France' you get Micronesia smh
+1
Level 77
Mar 5, 2019
Yeah
+1
Level 77
Mar 5, 2019
Why does 'Federated States of Micronesia' appear when we type 'France'?
+1
Level 75
Mar 8, 2019
This point is covered in several places in the comments - please check those.
+1
Level 77
Apr 3, 2021
Oh.
+1
Level 38
Nov 17, 2018
why guatamela doesn't work
+1
Level 38
Nov 17, 2018
sad
+1
Level 34
Jul 9, 2019
I also got frustrated that Cuba wasn't on the list and even went to Google Maps just to say; "SEE?". Then I saw Canada. Time for bed...
+1
Level 61
Sep 24, 2019
I'd never thought of Micronesia :/
+1
Level 23
Dec 12, 2019
I typed 'France' and it checked in 'Federated States

of Micronesia'...well thanks I guess

+1
Level 77
Jan 22, 2020
I typed "France" and "Federated States of Micronesia" appeared. I then typed "France" again and was told "You've already answered that (Federated States of Micronesia)."
+1
Level ∞
Jan 22, 2020
Arguably France is closer if you count overseas territories such as Saint Pierre and Miquelon. That's why we accept it.
+1
Level 58
Jan 26, 2020
Isn't Samoa closer than Saint Kitts?
+1
Level 75
Jan 26, 2020
Yes, but please note the instructions.
+1
Level 56
Feb 17, 2020
i thought i had found a loophole when it asked for u and i typed usa. lol
+1
Level 50
Apr 8, 2020
Why do you accept France for F. S. Micronesia?
+1
Level 75
Apr 8, 2020
We've responded several times about this already, but we'll go over it one more time. For people who consider the country Micronesia (full name Federated States of Micronesia) starts with an F, then the correct answer is Micronesia. But if you consider Micronesia starts with an M, then France becomes is the right answer. We allow both answers to cover both possible approaches by quizzers.
+2
Level 75
Jun 24, 2020
Got them all... except for Mexico.
+2
Level 63
Apr 3, 2021
Same here! I only missed Mexico and Luxembourg. I really don't know how I was able to forget Mexico.
+1
Level 47
Apr 3, 2021
I thought I was the only stupid one around here :D
+1
Level 54
Jul 2, 2020
I typed "France" and "Micronesia" appeared. Strange.
+1
Level 41
Apr 3, 2021
Same here, not sure what’s going on
+1
Level 83
Apr 3, 2021
It's explained by Jerry928 a few comments above.
+1
Level 54
Mar 9, 2021
100% with 0:01 left, almost forgot Luxembourg. whew!
+1
Level 59
Apr 3, 2021
I type in France and it fills in F. S. Micronesia
+1
Level 54
Apr 4, 2021
me: france

quiz: F.S. Micronesia

me: yea that

+3
Level 43
Apr 4, 2021
Maybe it's because I'm from Canada but, my first attempt at F was Finland. When that didn't work I tried France and it auto-filled with FSM. I found that confusing. When I read through the comments, I found the answer but, I still didn't feel right. Since there are only four countries that start with F I didn't think it would be too much effort to Google it. Here's what I found:

from Point Barrow, Alaska to Nuorgam, Finland - 2658 mi.

from Ni'ihau, Hawaii to Kosrae, FSM - 2714 mi.

from Sail Rock, Maine to Pointe de Corsen, France - 2877 mi.

from Kalae, Hawaii to Volivoli beach, Fiji - 3067 mi.

Actually, I thought of this because a couple of months ago I remember reading an interesting fact that Canada was closer to Norway than Ireland. I hadn't really thought too much about it before but, when I looked into it, it made sense. After all we live on a sphere, not a mercator projection. Ever since, whenever I think about distances between countries I consider the polar routes.

+1
Level 75
Apr 4, 2021
Thanks for your interesting research, and as regards Finland and FS Micronesia, you are absolutely right! Finland is closer than FSM as you say, so we'll get the quiz updated. France is 2163 km / 1344 miles away from Florida, as Guadeloupe is a part of France proper, but since quizzes like these often work off the distance from Metropolitan France (ie the part of France in Europe), we do accept France as a type-in.
+2
Level 43
Apr 5, 2021
Thanks for the explanation. There's that island I didn't know about. I always thought Guadeloupe was a territory.

I love this site. I'm always learning something new.

+1
Level 43
Apr 4, 2021
I thought that interesting comment was from Jetpunk but, I can't seem to find it now.

I'm sort of new to this so, if I missed something (like an island that belongs to Hawaii or FSM) that I don't know about, I apologize for wasting your time but, I still think it's worth mentioning.

+1
Level 75
Apr 4, 2021
43,382 quiz takers, plus us as quiz-setters, didn't spot this until you did - thanks!
+1
Level 43
Apr 5, 2021
Wow! I never would have guessed there were so many quiz takers.

Keep up the good work. It looks like your bringing enjoyment to lots of people.

+1
Level 54
Apr 4, 2021
Who else tried Hawaii?
+1
Level 76
Aug 26, 2022
I hope nobody.
+3
Level 48
Apr 5, 2021
just put in france and it was correct but then said finland. ????? im so confused hahahaha
+3
Level 64
Apr 5, 2021
France fills in Finland.
+1
Level 74
Apr 6, 2021
It's amazing that the whole Micronesia debate was rendered moot in this quiz. Pretty funny.
+1
Level 34
May 6, 2021
Hey, I think I found a glitch in the system. When you try writing France, it writes Finland, but I'm pretty sure that this is just from the close words thing.
+1
Level 34
May 6, 2021
And I also missed the other people that said that too
+1
Level 64
Jun 4, 2021
Huge Bug!

I type-in France,then I got Finland?!

+2
Level 75
Jun 4, 2021
Did you check the comments, and the responses, before you posted this?
+1
Level 47
Oct 30, 2021
Wow I forgot Mexico
+2
Level 45
Dec 21, 2021
I tried Costa Rica and then said "Huh? There's nothing any closer" then proceeded to try China
+1
Level 64
May 9, 2022
Logic
+2
Level 59
Feb 24, 2022
got it with 1 second left
+3
Level 47
Mar 2, 2022
Props to the 17% who thought of Luxembourg
+1
Level 64
May 9, 2022
Facts
+2
Level 64
May 9, 2022
I like how France is accepted for Finland, I'm assuming the distances are quite close
+1
Level 61
Feb 8, 2023
Finally, someone who isn't asking the same answered question lmao
+2
Level 21
Jun 23, 2022
I got all but Antigua and Barbuda...

Also why is France a type-in for Finland?

+1
Level 69
Oct 17, 2022
I noticed that type-in, too. I put in France and Finland popped up!
+1
Level 53
Oct 23, 2022
I typed france and finland showed up?
+1
Level 64
Dec 31, 2022
I typed France and I got Finland.

You should update the quiz.

+1
Level 64
Apr 3, 2023
I'd say it's for St Pierre and Miquelon, but thats an overseas territory, Idk why they wouldnt count French Guiana tho.
+1
Level 55
Jan 11, 2023
Same here. This surprised me, which wasted about 5 seconds of my time.
+1
Level 53
Feb 28, 2023
24/24 with 1 second remaining.