Eric Yang was a thirteen-year-old seventh-grade student when he won the National Geographic Bee on May 20, 2009 in Washington, D.C. According to National Geographic, it was their most difficult Bee to date but the Texas teenager had a perfect score as he captured the title during a tie-breaker round.National Geographic: Hardest National Geographic Bee (May 20, 2009)

For winning the annual competition, Yang received a $25,000 college scholarship, a lifetime membership in the National Geographic Society, and a trip to the Galapagos Islands.Dallas News: On the Spot in Geographic Bee Finals (May 20, 2009) Yang and his family will appear on the Today show on May 21, 2009.

Eric Yang won the 2009 National Geographic Bee when he correctly answered the third question of a tiebreaker round. The question was:

• "Timis County shares its name with a tributary of the Danube and is located in the western part of which European country?"
• Yang's correct answer: "Romania"KVIA: Texas Teen Wins National Geography Bee (May 20, 2009)

• 1989: Annual competition began as a "response to the lack of geographic knowledge among young Americans"National Geographic: Hardest National Geographic Bee (May 20, 2009)
• The ten finalists were allowed two mistakes eachNational Geographic: Hardest National Geographic Bee (May 20, 2009)
• Finalist questions were highlighted by live animal appearances that related to the questionNational Geographic: Hardest National Geographic Bee (May 20, 2009)
• The 2009 Bee began with 55 contestants between fourth and eighth gradeNational Geographic: Hardest National Geographic Bee (May 20, 2009)
• The 55 contestants defeated approximately five million students in state competitions to earn a place in the national championshipsNational Geographic: Hardest National Geographic Bee (May 20, 2009)
• The competitors included children from 50 states, in addition to Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the U.S. Pacific territories, the Department of Defense Dependent Schools, and Washington, D.CNational Geographic: Hardest National Geographic Bee (May 20, 2009)

• Dallas News: On the Spot in Geographic Bee Finals (May 20, 2009)