Knowledge consists of facts and skills that are taught or learned. It is what most standardized tests (SAT, ACT, ASVAB) measure. Intelligence is different and has several aspects.
Intelligence includes creativity, speed of learning, pattern recognition, and the ability to solve unfamiliar problems. That last ability is rare and crucial and often requires creativity.
In general, knowledge and intelligence go together, but knowledge is easier to increase through study and experience. Experience is the best teacher, but reading a lot also helps. Books are concentrated experience.
It is possible to get better at solving unfamiliar problems through practice because most problems have common elements. Tolerance for uncertainty is important in that endeavor.
The varieties of intelligence often cited such as verbal, mathematical, spatial, etc. would more accurately be called skills.
My advice: read a lot on a variety of topics and try many different activities. Narrow your focus as needed for practical reasons (time and money).
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