The Geographical Dictation. Photo: Chuvash Republic Branch of the RGS
The Russian Geographical Society announces the launch of the international contest «Write Your Question for the Geographical Dictation — 2025»! Everyone can take part in it, regardless of age, nationality, and place of residence. You can send questions until June 15.
In 2025, the Geographical Dictation will be held for the 11th time. The project is getting bigger and more interesting every year, partly owning to the participation of enthusiasts. The contest gives everyone the opportunity to contribute to the preparation of the assignments. The best questions will be included in the materials of the event and the quiz with the obligatory indication of authorship.
What questions are accepted for the contest?
Topics: geography of Russia, its nature, climate, unique attractions, cultural and historical heritage of the regions, as well as achievements of Russian researchers. Foreign territories and the names of scientists can only be mentioned in the context of Russia.
Format: only closed-ended questions with multiple choice answers (one of which is correct).
Difficulty: the questions should be interesting and understandable to participants with different levels of training.
Originality: it is not allowed to repeat questions from previous years (you can view the archive of questions here).
At the central venue of the Geographical Dictation of 2024. Photo: Anna Yurgenson / RGS press service
This year, the contest participants can not only submit questions to the main contest but also offer their questions in the following categories.
«180th Anniversary of the Russian Geographical Society: A Journey through Time» — questions about the history of the RGS, its founders, significant expeditions, and contributions to the study of geography.
«Remembering the Heroes: 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War» — questions about the geographical aspects of the war, key battles, regions and monuments related to the memory of heroic events.
«The Northern Sea Route: History and Discoveries» — questions on key events, personalities and historical facts related to the beginning of the development of the Northern Sea Route by Russian explorers. The questions may cover both the past and the present, including the impact of the Northern Sea Route on Russia’s economy, culture, and geopolitics.
«Geographical Bridges: Interrelations between Russia and the BRICS Countries» — issues that reflect geographical and historical events connecting Russia and the territories of modern BRICS member states.
Each participant can submit up to three questions for the main contest and one question for each additional category, for a total of no more than seven questions.
Participants of the Geographical Dictation at the Headquarters of the RGS in Moscow. Photo: Anna Yurgenson / RGS press service
What will the finalists and winners get?
All finalists will be awarded a participant’s certificate, and their questions will be included in one of the variants of the Geographical Dictation tasks and/or used in quizzes with mandatory indication of authorship.
In addition, the finalists will receive a promo code with a 10% discount in the RGS online store. The winners will receive souvenirs from the RGS as well as an invitation to the central venue of the Geographical Dictation in Moscow.
The results of the contest
The list of finalists — until August 1, 2025.
The list of winners — until September 1, 2025.