October 2013 Travel Trivia: Are You A Maphead?

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

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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.

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.

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.

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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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.

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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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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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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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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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.

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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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.

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.