National Geographic World Championship Comes to Google Wednesday

Can you answer the following: The production of maple syrup is an important economic activity in which state?

Wait, the questions get tougher. What about this: Oil spills from ships traveling through the Bosporus are an environmental concern in what country?

If you answered Vermont and Turkey, then you'll enjoy the 10th National Geographic World Championship. The geography competition, held even years in different countries has come to the Bay Area for 2011, and this year, Mountain View will be the seat for the final round at on Wednesday.

Legendary Jeopardy host Alex Trebek will moderate the final three teams.

"We were impressed by the caliber of students that made the cut during the national competition and are looking forward to seeing the best of the best from around the world demonstrate their skills as they take a shot at the world title," said Brian McClendon, vice president of Google Maps and Earth.

"Through this competition, we hope to inspire the future generation of leaders and innovators to become more geographically literate and have a deeper understanding about the world they live in."

This is Google's third year as sponsor of the National Geographic Bee. The competition will be broadcast on the Google Earth YouTube channel starting at 10:30 a.m. PDT.