Asia Knowledge Helps Geography Whiz, 12, Win National Contest
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WASHINGTON — Twelve-year-old Alex Kerchner of Washington state won the National Geography Bee on Wednesday by knowing what country is Asia’s most densely populated, with about 3 million people in less than 250 square miles.
The correct answer--Singapore--gave Kerchner victory over 56 other finalists and more than 5 million students nationwide. He also won a $25,000 college scholarship and a lifetime subscription to National Geographic, the magazine that sponsored the contest.
It was the fourth time that Alex, a seventh-grader at Kamiakin Junior High School in Kirkland, Wash., had made the geography bee finals.
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