October 2013 Travel Trivia: Are You A Maphead?

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Quizzes Created: 12 | Total Attempts: 16,431

Questions: 15 | Attempts: 1,299 | Updated: Mar 20, 2023

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It’s a big world out there: there are five oceans, seven continents, fifty states, 196 independent countries, and 450,964 cities, towns, and villages. Obviously, it would take many lifetimes of traveling to see them all. But on a map, you can visit them all without ever leaving your recliner. How much do you know about the geography of faraway places? Find out on our monthly quiz.

Questions and Answers

1.

What city was built halfway between Sydney and Melbourne in 1908?

Explanation
Canberra was built halfway between Sydney and Melbourne in 1908. It was chosen as the capital of Australia due to its central location and to resolve the rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne, both of which wanted to be the capital. The city was specifically designed to be the seat of government, with its layout and architecture reflecting this purpose. Today, Canberra serves as the political center of Australia, housing the Parliament House, government offices, and other important institutions.

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2.

The famed Burgess Shale fossil fields are found in what westernmost Canadian province?

Explanation
The Burgess Shale fossil fields are located in the westernmost Canadian province of British Columbia, often abbreviated as B.C.

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3.

In what European city could you catch a ferry at the Cais do Sodre and cross the Tagus to Barreiro?

Explanation
The correct answer is Lisbon, Portugal. Lisbon is a European city where you can catch a ferry at the Cais do Sodre and cross the Tagus River to Barreiro. Lisbon is the capital and largest city of Portugal, located on the western coast of the country. It is known for its beautiful architecture, historic sites, and vibrant culture. The Cais do Sodre is a popular transportation hub in Lisbon, offering ferry services to various destinations, including Barreiro, which is located on the opposite bank of the Tagus River.

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4.

The Namib and Karoo are what continent’s southernmost deserts?

Explanation
The Namib and Karoo are two deserts located in Africa. The Namib Desert is situated along the western coast of southern Africa, covering parts of Namibia, Angola, and South Africa. It is known for its vast sand dunes and arid conditions. The Karoo Desert, on the other hand, is found in the central part of South Africa, characterized by its semi-desert landscape and sparse vegetation. Both deserts are located in the southern region of the African continent.

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5.

What sea opens out into the Gulf of Aden at the Strait of Hormuz?

Explanation
The Red Sea opens out into the Gulf of Aden at the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway that connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and is an important shipping route for oil tankers. The Red Sea is located between the Arabian Peninsula and Africa and is known for its rich marine life and coral reefs. It is connected to the Gulf of Aden through the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb.

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6.

In what world capital could you see Chapultepec Castle or the Diego Rivera murals in the Ministry of Public Education?

Explanation
The correct answer is Mexico City, D.F., Mexico, D.F. Mexico City is the world capital where you can see Chapultepec Castle and the Diego Rivera murals in the Ministry of Public Education. The city is known for its rich cultural heritage and historical landmarks, including these iconic attractions.

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7.

The Alaskan grizzly bear takes its common name from what island, America’s second largest?

Explanation
The Alaskan grizzly bear is named after Kodiak Island, which is America's second largest island. This island is located in the Kodiak Archipelago in the Gulf of Alaska. It is home to a significant population of grizzly bears, known as Kodiak bears, which are a subspecies of the brown bear. These bears are larger in size compared to other grizzly bears and are well adapted to the island's rugged terrain and abundant food sources. Therefore, the correct answer is Kodiak, Kodiak Island.

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8.

Leave Two Harbors on Catalina Island in your yacht and sail 22 miles north-northeast. What major world city would you dock at?

Explanation
Two Harbors on Catalina Island is located off the coast of Los Angeles, California. Therefore, if you sail 22 miles north-northeast from Two Harbors, you would dock at Los Angeles. L.A. and LA are abbreviations commonly used to refer to Los Angeles. Los Angeles, California and Los Angeles, CA are the full names of the city, including the state abbreviation.

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9.

Graubünden and Valais are two of the largest of the 26 “cantons” that make up what European nation?

Explanation
Graubünden and Valais are two of the largest cantons in Switzerland. Switzerland is a European nation that is divided into 26 cantons, which are similar to states or provinces. Therefore, the correct answer is Switzerland.

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10.

Kansas City is mostly in Missouri, so what’s the most populous city in Kansas?

Explanation
Kansas City is mostly located in the state of Missouri, not Kansas. Therefore, the most populous city in Kansas would be Wichita.

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11.

Shanghai sits at the mouth of what longest river in Asia?

Explanation
The correct answer is Yangtze. Shanghai is located at the mouth of the Yangtze River, which is the longest river in Asia. It is also known as Chang Jiang in Chinese.

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12.

Name one of the two landlocked countries that form part of a lowland plain called the Gran Chaco.

Explanation
Bolivia and Paraguay are the two landlocked countries that form part of the Gran Chaco lowland plain. Bolivia is located in the central part of South America, while Paraguay is situated in the southeastern part of the continent. Both countries share borders with each other and are surrounded by other countries, making them landlocked. The Gran Chaco is a vast lowland area characterized by dry forests, savannas, and marshes, and it stretches across parts of Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina.

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13.

What U.S. state’s flag depicts an elk, a moose, and the Latin motto, “If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look around you”?

Explanation
The U.S. state flag that depicts an elk, a moose, and the Latin motto, "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look around you" is Michigan. The flag features an image of an elk and a moose supporting a shield with a blue background and a depiction of a sunrise over a lake and a peninsula. The Latin motto is displayed on a white ribbon below the shield. Michigan is known as the "Great Lakes State" and is surrounded by the Great Lakes, which is represented by the peninsula in the flag's design.

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14.

In which of the Earth’s major biomes is permafrost typically found under the topsoil?

Explanation
Permafrost is typically found under the topsoil in the Tundra biome. The Tundra is characterized by extremely cold temperatures and a short growing season, which prevents the thawing of the permanently frozen ground. This frozen layer of soil, known as permafrost, restricts the movement of water and nutrients, making it difficult for plants to establish deep root systems. The presence of permafrost in the Tundra has a significant impact on the vegetation and overall ecosystem of this biome.

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15.

What country disputes the provinces of Jammu and Kashmir with its larger eastern neighbor?

Explanation
Pakistan disputes the provinces of Jammu and Kashmir with its larger eastern neighbor. The conflict over Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan dates back to the partition of British India in 1947. Both countries claim the region in its entirety, but currently, it is divided between them by a de facto border known as the Line of Control. This dispute has led to several wars and ongoing tensions between the two countries.

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Mar 20, 2023

Quiz Edited by
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Oct 18, 2013

Quiz Created by
Dberman

October 2013 Travel Trivia: Are You A Maphead?

What city was built halfway between Sydney and Melbourne in 1908?

The famed Burgess Shale fossil fields are found in what westernmost Canadian province?

In what European city could you catch a ferry at the Cais do Sodre and cross the Tagus to Barreiro?

The Namib and Karoo are what continent’s southernmost deserts?

What sea opens out into the Gulf of Aden at the Strait of Hormuz?

In what world capital could you see Chapultepec Castle or the Diego Rivera murals in the Ministry of Public Education?

The Alaskan grizzly bear takes its common name from what island, America’s second largest?

Leave Two Harbors on Catalina Island in your yacht and sail 22 miles north-northeast. What major world city would you dock at?

Graubünden and Valais are two of the largest of the 26 “cantons” that make up what European nation?

Kansas City is mostly in Missouri, so what’s the most populous city in Kansas?

Shanghai sits at the mouth of what longest river in Asia?

Name one of the two landlocked countries that form part of a lowland plain called the Gran Chaco.

What U.S. state’s flag depicts an elk, a moose, and the Latin motto, “If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look around you”?

In which of the Earth’s major biomes is permafrost typically found under the topsoil?

What country disputes the provinces of Jammu and Kashmir with its larger eastern neighbor?