February Travel Trivia: Are You A Maphead?

Explanation
The ancients referred to the peninsula between Spain and Africa as the northern "Pillar of Hercules" because it is located at the entrance of the Mediterranean Sea and was considered the westernmost point of the known world. The Strait of Gibraltar, which separates Europe from Africa, was seen as a significant landmark and a symbolic boundary. The name "Pillar of Hercules" originated from Greek mythology, where Hercules was said to have created the Strait of Gibraltar by splitting the mountains on either side.

Explanation
The Ho Chi Minh Trail was a network of roads and trails that stretched from North Vietnam to South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. It was used by the North Vietnamese Army to transport troops, supplies, and weapons. Most of the trail passed through the neighboring country of Laos, which is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia. Laos provided a strategic location for the trail as it was difficult for the United States to conduct military operations there due to political constraints.

Explanation
The Pinnacles are located east of the Salinas Valley, and in December, the U.S. senate voted to make them the newest national park. Since the Salinas Valley is in California, it can be inferred that the Pinnacles are also in California.

Explanation
Catania and Palermo are both cities located in Sicily, which is an island in the Mediterranean Sea. Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and is known for its rich history, beautiful landscapes, and vibrant culture. Catania and Palermo are the two largest cities on the island, making Sicily the correct answer to the question.

Explanation
The terms "plunge," "horsetail," and "punchbowl" are all commonly used to describe different types of waterfalls. "Plunge" refers to a waterfall that drops vertically, "horsetail" describes a waterfall that maintains contact with the rock face as it falls, and "punchbowl" refers to a waterfall that plunges into a pool or basin. Therefore, the correct answer is waterfalls or waterfall.

Explanation
Red Square is the famous plaza that you would cross while walking between the Kremlin and the GUM Department Store. Red Square is located in the heart of Moscow, Russia, and is known for its historical and cultural significance. It is surrounded by iconic landmarks such as the Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral, and the State Historical Museum. The plaza is a popular tourist destination and a symbol of Russian history and power.

Explanation
Brazzaville and Kinshasa are both located on the banks of the Congo River. Therefore, the two African countries they are the capitals of are named after the Congo River.

Explanation
From atop the nearby Red Fort of Agra, India, one can see the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is located in Agra, just a short distance away from the Red Fort. The Taj Mahal is a magnificent white marble mausoleum that was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife. It is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and attracts millions of visitors each year.

Explanation
Vancouver is the correct answer because it is the city in Canada that is separated from Victoria by the Gulf Islands and the Strait of Georgia. It is also known as Canada's largest port.

Explanation
Bruges, the capital of West Flanders, is located in Belgium. Belgium is a European country known for its medieval towns, rich history, and cultural heritage. Bruges, with its well-preserved medieval architecture and picturesque canals, is a popular tourist destination in Belgium. It is renowned for its historic city center, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Therefore, Belgium is the correct answer for the location of Bruges.

Explanation
Lake Michigan is the correct answer because it is the only Great Lake that is entirely located within the United States. The other Great Lakes (Superior, Huron, Erie, and Ontario) are shared between the United States and Canada. Michigan is also mentioned in the answer, but it is not a Great Lake itself. It is a state that borders Lake Michigan.

Explanation
The Quechuan word for "plains" that is still used for the vast, fertile plains between Argentina and Uruguay is "Pampa".

Explanation
The Okefenokee Swamp is located on the border between Georgia and Florida. Therefore, any of the given options - Georgia, Florida, Georgia and Florida, or Georgia or Florida - would be correct as they all include either one or both of the states.

Explanation
The correct answer is Africa because the "horn" referred to in the question is a geographical feature that is located in the eastern part of Africa and is commonly known as the Somali Peninsula. This peninsula juts out into the Indian Ocean and is home to countries such as Somalia, Djibouti, and parts of Ethiopia and Kenya. Therefore, Africa is the continent that encompasses this region.

Explanation
Edinburgh is the correct answer because it was the first city in Scotland to host the Commonwealth Games twice. The city first hosted the games in 1970 and then again in 1986. This distinction makes Edinburgh a significant and historic location for the Commonwealth Games in Scotland.