Quizology.Online

Tag: geography

  • Quirky Queries: A Journey Through Art, History and Curiosities | Answers

    The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below.

    Ecstasy of St Teresa.
    Wikipedia
    1. Bernini—Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s The Ecstasy of St. Teresa, depicting Teresa of Ávila’s mystical experience is in the Cornaro Chapel in Santa Maria della Vittoria, Rome. The chapel was commissioned by Federigo Cardinal Cornaro and St. Teresa is surrounded by sculptures of the cardinal and his family. Teresa of Ávila was born 28 March 1515.
      Istanbul.
      Wikipedia
    2. Istanbul—Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city, was the capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Located on a peninsula between Europe and Asia, it has been a strategic city for over 2,500 years. The city’s name evolved from Byzantium to Constantinople, and finally to Istanbul in 1930.
      Virginia Woolf. Wikipedia
    3. Virginia Woolf—Virginia Woolf, an English writer, is known for her novels, essays, and letters. Her works, including Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse, influenced the genre through their non-linear narrative.
      Three Mile Island on the Susquehanna
      River.
      Wikipedia
    4. Susquehanna River—The Three Mile Island accident near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1979 was the most serious nuclear power accident in US history. A valve malfunction caused a partial core meltdown, but fortunately, radioactive gases did not pose a threat to the surrounding population.
    5. Spanish Civil War—The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) was a conflict between the Nationalists, supported by Italy and Germany, and the Republicans, aided by the Soviet Union and International Brigades. The Nationalists, led by General Francisco Franco, emerged victorious, establishing a dictatorship that lasted until his death in 1975.
    General Francisco Franco.
    Wikipedia

  • Quirky Queries: A Journey Through Art, History and Curiosities

    All of today’s questions relate to 28 March.

    Ecstasy of St Teresa
    Wikipedia
    1. The Ecstasy of St. Teresa, shown above, is in the Cornaro Chapel, Santa Maria della Vittoria, Rome. Whose work is the sculpture?
      • Bernini
      • Donatello
      • Michelangelo
    2. This city, dating back to c657 BCE, underwent name changes under the Romans in the 4th century and again in 1930. Can you name it?
      • Baghdad
      • Istanbul
      • Sofia
    3. This author, who passed away on this day in 1941, is best known for her novels Mrs. Dalloway (1925) and To the Lighthouse (1927). Who is she?
      • Rebecca West
      • Katherine Mansfield
      • Virginia Woolf
    4. The Three Mile Island nuclear power plant experienced an accident on 28 March 1979 that resulted in radioactive leakage. On what river does the plant stand?
      • Atchafalaya River
      • Susquehanna River
      • Willamette River
    5. On this day in 1939, General Franco, the leader of the Nationalist forces during a civil war, captured his nation’s capital city. This was one of the last events before he declared victory. What civil war?
      • Austrian Civil War
      • Greek Civil War
      • Spanish Civil War

    Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

    Three Mile Island nuclear generating station, 1979.
    Wikipedia

  • Blowin’ in the Wind—Answers

    The correct answers to my earlier post are highlighted in bold.

    All about flags with 27 February connections.

    1. Argentina—The Argentine flag, created during the War of Independence by Manuel Belgrano, and raised for the first time by him on 27 February 1812, features celeste, white, and celeste stripes with the Sun of May. Adopted in 1818, it influenced several Central American flags. A darker version was introduced in 2010. Its colours reflect the Criollos’ spirit from the May Revolution.
      • Flag of Argentina
      Flag 1. Flag of Argentina
      [Image Wikipedia]
    2. Antigua and Barbuda—The national flag of Antigua and Barbuda, adopted on 27 February 1967, symbolises self-government. Designed by Sir Reginald Samuel, it features red, black, blue, and white colours representing ancestry, hope, and life. The sun signifies a new era. The flag’s unique design celebrates local heritage and victory.
      • Flag of Antigua and Barbuda
      Flag 2. Flag of Antigua and Barbuda
      [Image Wikipedia]
    3. Dominican Republic—The Dominican Republic’s flag was designed by Juan Pablo Duarte and adopted on 27 February 1844. It features a central white cross dividing blue and red rectangles, symbolising liberty, salvation, and heroism. The coat of arms includes a Bible, cross, and the motto Dios, patria, libertad.
      • Flag of Dominican Republic
      Flag 3. Flag of The Dominican Republic
      [Image Wikipedia]
    4. Western Sahara—The national flag of Western Sahara, representing the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, features Pan-Arab colours – black, white, green, and red. Adopted on 27 February 1976, with design resembling the Palestinian flag, it includes a red star and crescent, symbolising Islam.
      • Flag of Western Sahara
      Flag 4. Flag of Western Sahara
      [Image Wikipedia]
    5. Japan—The national flag features a white rectangular banner with a crimson-red circle at its centre, symbolising the sun. This design reflects Japan’s nickname the Land of the Rising Sun and is deeply rooted in Japanese mythology, where the sun goddess Amaterasu is considered the ancestor of the Japanese emperors. The flag’s use dates back to the 7th century BC, with the first recorded use in 701 by Emperor Monmu. It became the de facto national flag in the 19th century, officially adopted for merchant ships on 27 February 1870 and later for the Navy. Standardised in 1870, the current form was officially adopted on 5 August 1854, as Japan began opening to the West. The flag’s simplicity and symbolism, with the red sun contrasting against the white background, are highly valued in Japan. Despite its historical significance, the flag’s use has been contentious, especially after World War II, due to its association with Japan’s militaristic past. The flag and the national anthem, Kimigayo, were officially recognised by the Japanese parliament on 13 August 1999, a decision that sparked debate between conservatives and pacifists.
      • Flag of Japan
    Flag 5. Flag of Japan
    [Image Wikipedia]

  • Blowin’ in the Wind

    All about flags with 27 February connections.

    1. Today in 1812 this flag, designed by Manuel Belgrano, was first raised by him in the city of Rosario. What nation’s flag is it?
      • Argentina
      • Bolivia
      • Colombia
      Flag 1
    2. This nation, an archipelago and one of the smallest countries in the Caribbean, adopted this flag today in 1967. What country is it?
      • Grenada
      • Antigua and Barbuda
      • Dominica
      Flag 2
    3. Still in the Caribbean: this flag represents a country which sits on the island of Hispaniola. Where is it?
      • Dominican Republic
      • Curaçao
      • Martinique
      Flag 3
    4. This North African flag was adopted this day in 1976 and the largest city it may fly over is Laayoune. What flag is it?
      • Eswatini
      • South Sudan
      • Western Sahara
      Flag 4
    5. Finally—and without a multiple choice—a flag which was adapted as the national flag for merchant ships on this day in 1870 and is known officially as the Nisshōki—meaning flag of the sun, but more commonly the Hinomaru—ball of the sun. What nations flag is being described?
    Flag 5

    The answers will be posted later today.

  • Who, What, When, Where, Why and How: 26 February—Answers

    Who

    Johnny Cash

    Johnny Cash. [Image Wikipedia]

    Johnny Cash’s music explored sorrow, moral dilemmas, and redemption, featuring a deep bass-baritone voice and the Tennessee Three’s distinctive sound.  His free prison concerts and all-black stage attire solidified his iconic status.

    What

    US Army in Hawaii

    From Here to Eternity, US theatrical release poster for the 1951 film. [Image Wikipedia]

    James Jones’s debut novel, From Here to Eternity, is set in Hawaii in 1941 and follows the lives of US Army infantry company members. The novel, loosely based on Jones’s experiences, won the National Book Award and was adapted into a successful film.

    When

    1919

    Grand Canyon National Park poster (1938).
    [Image Wikipedia]

    Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona features the Grand Canyon, a natural wonder of the Colorado River.  The park, spanning over 1.2 million acres, welcomes millions of visitors annually.

    Where

    Mediterranean Sea

    Elba. [Image Wikipedia]

    Elba is a Mediterranean island in Tuscany, Italy, known for its natural beauty and historical significance as Napoleon’s first exile site. It is the largest island in the Tuscan Archipelago and part of the Arcipelago Toscano National Park.

    Elba, shown here in the Tyrrhenian Sea part of the Mediterranean Sea. [Image Wikipedia]

    Why 

    Portugal wished to control the Congo Basin

    Map showing the Congo River drainage basin.
    [Image Wikipedia]

    The Berlin Conference of 1884–1885, organised by Otto von Bismarck, regulated European colonisation and trade in Africa. The conference concluded with the signing of the General Act of Berlin. The Berlin Conference, initiated by Portugal and supported by Britain, brought together 14 nations to establish a joint policy for Africa.

    Western Lowland Gorilla, an endangered species, in the the Congo River basin. [Image Wikipedia]

    How

    Novelist


    Victor Hugo in 1829, lithograph by Achille Devéria in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. [Image Wikipedia]

    Victor Hugo was a French Romantic author, poet, essayist, playwright, and politician. His most famous works include novels like The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and Les Misérables, as well as poetry collections like Les Contemplations and La Légende des siècles.

    Portrait of Victor Hugo, deputy of the Second Republic in 1848, gallery of the representatives of the people of the French National Assembly, Paris. [Image Wikipedia]

  • Who, What, When, Where, Why and How: 26 February

    The following Who, What, When, Where, Why and How all relate to this date: 26 February.

    Who

    A singer-songwriter born this day in 1932 in Kingsland, Arkansas, US. recorded songs such as Hey, Porter; Cry, Cry, Cry and I Walk the Line and in the 1950s became the top country and western recording artist. He later became a champion for social justice and penal reform.

    • Who is being described?
      • Johnny Cash
      • Jim Reeves
      • Hank Williams

    What

    From Here to Eternity by James Jones was published today in 1951 and later was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film of the same name.

    • What was the novel mainly about?
      • Roald Amundsen’s South Pole Expedition
      • Roman Catholic Church’s Papal Conclave
      • US Army in Hawaii

    When

    Grand Canyon
    [Image from Wikipedia]

    On 26 February the Grand Canyon National Park was established by the US Congress.

    • When was this?
      • 1899
      • 1909
      • 1919 

    Where

    Napoleon
    [Image from Wikipedia]

    Napoleon escaped exile from an island on this day in 1815 and made his way to Paris where, on his arrival on 20 March, a period now known as the Hundred Days began.

    • Where was the island situated?
      • South Atlantic Ocean 
      • English Channel
      • Mediterranean Sea

    Why

    The Berlin West Africa Conference concluded on the 26 February 1885.

    • Why had it been convened some 3 months previously?
      • German Empire sought all territory between the Niger and Zambezi Rivers
      • Portugal wished to control the Congo Basin
      • Great Britain desired sole control of West Africa south of the Sahara

    How

    Victor Hugo, born today in 1802, is, according to Encyclopædia Britannica, renowned in France as one of the country’s greatest poets but that is not the case abroad.

    • How is he widely thought of elsewhere?
      • As a musician
      • As a novelist
      • As a painter

    The answers will be posted later today. 

  • Blessed Be This Noble Land—Answer

    Flag of Botswana
    [Image from Wikipedia]
    1. Bechuanaland
    2. Rain

    The title of this post Blessed Be This Noble Land is the national anthem of Botswana.

    Coat of Arms of Botswana.
    [Image from Wikipedia]

    The motto Pula, which means rain and also blessing, is the name of Botswana’s currency.

    On the 21 February 1966 the Earl of Longford, the British Colonial Secretary, announced that Bechuanaland, a British protectorate, would gain independence on 30th September 1966, subsequently being renamed Botswana.

    This landlocked country in Southern Africa is bordered by Namibia (including the Caprivi Strip) to the west and north, Zambia and Zimbabwe to the northeast, and South Africa to the southeast and south. Botswana’s borders feature a minor section along the Zambezi River with Zambia, while its boundary along the Chobe River with Namibia was settled in a 1999 International Court of Justice ruling favoring Botswana. Despite remaining one of the least densely populated nations globally, with over 2.4 million people inhabiting an area similar in size to France, Botswana, named after its dominant Tswana ethnic group, has transitioned from being one of the world’s poorest and least-developed states to a peaceful and increasingly prosperous democratic state. Approximately 70 percent of its flat, topographically consistent territory forms part of the Kalahari Desert.

  • Blessed Be This Noble Land

    Coat of Arms of Botswana.
    [Image from Wikipedia]

    The British Colonial Secretary, announced on 21 February 1966 that a British protectorate would gain independence later in the year and be renamed Botswana.

    1. What was the name of the British protectorate?
      • Barotseland
      • Bechuanaland
      • Nyasaland
    2. Botswana has a one word motto Pula, what does it mean in English?
      • Lion
      • Rain
      • Self

    The answers will be posted later today.

  • Ten Thousand Leagues Under the Seas—Answer

    Q1. A.60 days and 21 hours
    Q2. B. USS Triton
    Q3. A. Captain Edward L. Beach Jr.
    Q4. B. Jules Verne

    Map of the 1960 circumnavigation of the world by the U.S. nuclear-powered submarine USS Triton (SSRN-586).
    [Image from Wikipedia]

    Operation Sandblast, as this first-ever submerged circumnavigation of the globe was named, was accomplished by the United States Navy’s nuclear-powered submarine, USS Triton (SSRN-586), in 1960.

    Captain Edward L Beach announcing Operation Sandblast to crew onboard USS Triton, 17 February 1960. [Image from Wikipedia]

    First Submerged Circumnavigation

    Led by Captain Edward L. Beach Jr., the Triton departed New London, Connecticut on 16 February 1960 to head to the start /finish line for the journey—the St. Peter and Paul Rocks in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, near the Equator.

    Details of the Voyage

    • Dates: February 24 to April 25, 1960
    • Duration: 60 days and 21 hours
    • Distance travelled: 26,723 nautical miles* (49,491 km; 30,752 miles)
    • Average speed: 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph)

    The Triton crossed the equator four times and notably, Triton’s overall navigational track during Operation Sandblast was similar to that of the historic Spanish expedition that successfully completed the first circumnavigation of the world.

    Historic First Circumnavigation

    In 1519, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan started an epic journey that took his expedition all the way around the world; Spanish explorer Juan Sebastián Elcano finished it in 1522. Of the 270 men and five ships that set sail, only about 40 men and one ship made it back. Magellan died in battle in the Philippines in April 1521.

    Nao Victoria, the only ship in the fleet to complete the circumnavigation. Detail from a map by Abraham Ortelius, 1590.
    [Image from Wikipedia]

    *Ten Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

    The title is a poetic licence as the actual distance travelled converts to 10,251 leagues. This conversion from 26,723 nautical miles to leagues was carried out at metric-conversions.org.

  • Ten Thousand Leagues Under the Seas

    USS ___ (SSRN-586) heading out for the beginning of the circumnavigation
    16 February 1960.
    [Image from Wikipedia]

    On 16 February 1960 a United States nuclear-powered submarine departed New London, Connecticut to circumnavigate the world whilst submerged. The submarine would follow the route of the first circumnavigation of the world, started under the command of Ferdinand Magellan and completed by Juan Sebastián Elcanofrom between 1519 and 1522.


    Q1. How long did this submerged circumnavigation take?
    A. 60 days and 21 hours
    B. 87 days and 9 hours
    C. 115 days and 17 hours

    Q2. What submarine carried out this voyage?
    A. USS Thresher
    B. USS Triton
    C. USS Tullibee

    Q3. The commanding officer of this submarine also wrote several books, both fiction and non-fiction, including Run Silent, Run Deep: who was he?
    A. Captain Edward L. Beach Jr.
    B. Captain William D. Sand
    C. Captain Thomas J. Shore II

    Q4. The title of this piece is a take on the title of the 19th century novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas. Who wrote that novel?
    A. Victor Hugo
    B. Jules Verne
    C. H.G. Wells

    The answers will be posted later today.