How Good is Your Geographic? [4]

[BDunnell]

Here's my question. What did the small areas of West Berlin known as Steinstücken and Eiskeller have in common during the time the Berlin Wall was up?

[D-Type]

A wild guess - they contained the Avus?

[BDunnell]

A wild guess - they contained the Avus?

No.

[Tazio]

I only think this is half right. :mad:
Both areas were surrounded by East Germany and access needed to be procured in the form of buying the part of East Germany that the access covered when the wall was erected?

[BDunnell]

I only think this is half right. :mad:
Both areas were surrounded by East Germany and access needed to be procured in the form of buying the part of East Germany that the access covered when the wall was erected?

I have to give it to you, I think. They were indeed both 'exclaves' of West Berlin on DDR territory, where the access was across DDR land and thus subject to particular restrictions until better routes were agreed in the 1970s. The specific link I was looking for was that those two were the only ones to have people living on them. Read more here — Berlin Exclaves (http://berlin.enclaves.org/)

Anyway, I doubt anyone else will get closer, so your go!

[Tazio]

That is a very informative page, thanks for sharing it. I was already in elementary school when the wall was built. I still can’t even begin to think about how easy my day to day life must have been compared to Berliners around that time.

Here is your question, it should be an easy one.

Lake Nemi held two extraordinary artifacts for almost 2,000 years. Where is Lake Nimi? What are these artifacts, and who was their owner?

[BDunnell]

That is a very informative page, thanks for sharing it. I was already in elementary school when the wall was built. I still can’t even begin to think about how easy my day to day life must have been compared to Berliners around that time.

Here is your question, it should be an easy one.

Lake Nemi held two extraordinary artifacts for almost 2,000 years. Where is Lake Nimi? What are these artifacts, and who was their owner?

Forgive me, but which of the two spellings you mention is correct?

[Tazio]

That is a very informative page, thanks for sharing it. I was already in elementary school when the wall was built. I still can’t even begin to think about how easy my day to day life must have been compared to Berliners around that time.

Here is your question, it should be an easy one.

Lake Nemi held two extraordinary artifacts for almost 2,000 years. Where is Lake Nemi? What are these artifacts, and who was their owner? Possibly a technicality that could affect someones getting the answer correct. I should have asked: "Who ordered what is left of these arifacts built"!

[Tazio]

Alea iacta est

[D-Type]

I'm finding this fascinating - I had never heard of the sand dunes of Lençóis, an exclave, Lake Nemi,or any of the other recent answers until I looked them up.

[Tazio]

I guess this question is more difficult than I imagined. This is a giveaway, but only addresses one of the historical aspects of this question.
Here is another clue; In what may be his most popular work, the late English author Robert Graves, presented this man as being a murderous sociopath from his childhood, who became clinically insane in adulthood.

[EuroTroll]

Ah. Now I've read "I, Clavdivs". Perhaps we're talking about emperor "Little Boots", Caligula?

[Tazio]

Ah. Now I've read "I, Clavdivs". Perhaps we're talking about emperor "Little Boots", Caligula?Now we are getting somewhere :up:

[Tazio]

I'm finding this fascinating - I had never heard of the sand dunes of Lençóis, an exclave, Lake Nemi,or any of the other recent answers until I looked them up. It really is a fun way to study geology, and a little history as well :)

[EuroTroll]

I gather, then, that we're talking about artifacts that are pretty substantial in size, since the emperor Caligula had them built. And they were at the bottom of the lake, so perhaps they loaded something on a vessel which sank...?

Maybe some large-scale artwork depicting some military campaign? Perhaps even his father's campaign in Germany?

[BDunnell]

I have not the slightest clue what the artefacts might be. Nemi could be the name of a lake in all sorts of places, too. My first reaction was Hungary, but I don't believe that can be right.

[Tazio]

I gather, then, that we're talking about artifacts that are pretty substantial in size, since the emperor Caligula had them built. And they were at the bottom of the lake, so perhaps they loaded something on a vessel which sank...?

Maybe some large-scale artwork depicting some military campaign? Perhaps even his father's campaign in Germany? You are close enough. ;) I'm not going to drag this one question on forever. The two Nemi ships were enormous, as big as any Rome was rumored to be capable of making. Caligula used them as a Floating Palace, where he worshiped Diana, and Isis. These ships contained technology considered to have not been harnessed until recent times. Here is one link; it's a little long winded.
Nemi ships - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemi_ships)
BTW Lake Nemi is 19 miles south of the city of Rome

[Tazio]

You go studious! :wave:

[EuroTroll]

Alrighty then. :cool:

Which is the farthest point on the Earth's surface from the Earth's center?

[EuroTroll]

You are close enough. ;) I'm not going to drag this one question on forever. The two Nemi ships were enormous, as big as any Rome was rumored to be capable of making. Caligula used them as a Floating Palace, where he worshiped Diana, and Isis. These ships contained technology considered to have not been harnessed until recent times. Here is one link; it's a little long winded.
Nemi ships - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemi_ships)
BTW Lake Nemi is 19 miles south of the city of Rome

Interesting! :up:

[Tazio]

Which is the farthest point on the Earth's surface from the Earth's center?

We had this question a long time ago, before I took my last vacation ;) If my memory serves me it was a mountain in southern Central America or in north western South America. Correct so far?

[EuroTroll]

We had this question a long time ago, before I took my last vacation ;) If my memory serves me it was a mountain in southern Central America or in north western South America. Correct so far?

Yup. :) But I wonder if anyone can give me the name of the mountain.

[edv]

Aconcagua?

[EuroTroll]

Aconcagua?

Not close enough to the equator, I'm afraid.

[Tazio]

:s ailor: Chimborazo?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POE_fHCCzxU

[EuroTroll]

:s ailor: Chimborazo?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POE_fHCCzxU

Correct! :up:

Its peak is 6 268 m (20 565 ft) above sea level, but because it's so close to the equator, it is the farthest point on the Earth's surface from the Earth's center.

[Tazio]

This country has 3 of the top 10 longest rivers. Name one.

[BDunnell]

This country has 3 of the top 10 longest rivers. Name one.

Danube.

[Tazio]

Danube.It was at one time, but no longer passes through this country.
Edit: It is also not one of the 10 longest, not by a long shot.

[gadjo_dilo]

Volga

[Tazio]

Volga You have the right country, but according to my sources The Volga is only the
18th longest river in the world

[gadjo_dilo]

Amur?

[Tazio]

Amur is #11 :(

[BDunnell]

Don.

[Tazio]

I'm sorry, you have the right country, but The Don comes in at about #50

[gadjo_dilo]

Enisei

[Tazio]

Enisei I have it spelled Yenisei; however I think we are talking about the same river.
Great job!! Have you got a question ready, because it is your turn? :up:
Principal Rivers of the World (http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0001779.html)

[gadjo_dilo]

Beautiful croatian town = currency of an african country = very rude word in romanian.
Name it.

[schmenke]

I have no clue...

Split?

[gadjo_dilo]

No.

It's easy. There aren't many combinations.

[Gregor-y]

Dubrovnik? ;)

People say it's pretty and it's on the coast. Not so sure about the currency or how it translates from Slavic to Dacian.

[schmenke]

Without consulting a map, the only other city I know of is Zagreb :mark:

[Gregor-y]

There's also Rijeka, I guess.

[donKey jote]

Pula, Pizda or Curu I bet :laugh:
:erm:

[gadjo_dilo]

Pula, Pizda or Curu I bet :laugh:
:erm:

You make me blush, you're such a donkey....

One of them. But which one?

[Tazio]

I'll take a stab at it............. Curu :confused:

[donKey jote]

You make me blush, you're such a donkey....

... said billy's missus :p

:wave: :kiss: :andrea:

[donKey jote]

I'll take a stab at it............. Curu :confused:

I prefer Pizda :s ailor: :p

[gadjo_dilo]

Wrong. Both of you. :laugh:

[Tazio]

Wrong. Both of you. :laugh: HaHaHaHA how about some freakin' clues bro :D

[donKey jote]

Pula mea :dozey:

[gadjo_dilo]

Pula mea :dozey:

Yeah. I reckon donkeys are famous for this.... :laugh:

Anyway, add an "ce" before this syntagm and you'll get the most popular romanian saying of these days. Used by both men and women.

Pula is right ( as weird as it may sound ).

It's a town in Croatia ( also known as Pola ) and the currency of Botswana.

Time for a donkey question.....

[donKey jote]

not anymore :dozey: :laugh:

There's also a town called Santa Pola in Spain :p

Anyway, here's some portuguese music for you, while I think about a donkey question:
1-KTaKCyKe8
:erm:

[schmenke]

There's a town in the Canadian province of Newfoundland called Dildo :erm:

I hear mkbilly's wife is applying for citizenship :mark:


Where's your Q donks? :dozey:

[BDunnell]

To say nothing of the village of Twatt in the Shetland Islands.

[Tazio]

To say nothing of the village of Twatt in the Shetland Islands.
I bet "French Lick" Indiana would like to get into a little somthin' somethin' up in there. :)

[donKey jote]

Don't have time for a decent one so have a quickie, as billy's missus would say:

Name 5 of the 10 least densely populated countries in the world.

[donKey jote]

To say nothing of the village of Twatt in the Shetland Islands.
http://www.absoluterandom.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/****ing-austria-thumb.jpg
hmmm... stoopid filters :laugh:
http://i41.tinypic.com/5b8ns.jpg

[BDunnell]

Twinned with...

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--JUcAO_avHU/T0QJQhlj6KI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/f4MM0LO_xpY/s1600/****.jpg

[edv]

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/5262216.jpg

[donKey jote]

Taken in Switzerland last month:
http://i42.tinypic.com/28uit5v.jpg

[Tazio]

:s ailor: Iceland, Nambia, Austrailia, Russia, and Mongollia

http://cache.virtualtourist.com/4/2745611-Souvenir_tank_top_makes_ideal_gift_for_girlfriend_ French_Lick.jpg

[schmenke]

:laugh:


As to the current donky Q:
I can't help but think that both Canada and Australia are among the top 10.

Then, um...

Denmark
Argentina
Kazahkstan

:?:

[edv]

Name 5 of the 10 least densely populated countries in the world.

-Mongolia?
-Chad?
-Niger?
-Mauritania?
-Australia?

[donKey jote]

:s ailor: Iceland, Nambia, Austrailia, Russia, and Mongollia

1 (I'd give you a few more if you could spell them better :p :D )

[donKey jote]

:laugh:


As to the current donky Q:
I can't help but think that both Canada and Australia are among the top 10.

Then, um...

Denmark
Argentina
Kazahkstan

:?:
2 (I'd give you 3 for Denmark+Greenland, but my source doesn't see it that way)

[donKey jote]

-Mongolia?
-Chad?
-Niger?
-Mauritania?
-Australia?
3

[schmenke]

Canada
Australia
Mongolia
Mauritania
Namibia (thanks Doc :p : )

[donKey jote]

:p
Top Ten Least Densely Populated Countries (http://www.mapsofworld.com/world-top-ten/world-top-ten-least-densely-populated-countries-map.html)
In fact Canada is "only" No. 9 :crazy:

go schmenke ! :up:

[donKey jote]

Where's your Q schmenks? :dozey:
:p

[schmenke]

:p

Back in a bit... :arrows:

[D-Type]

Russia (with all of Siberia)
Libya (all that desert)
Botswana (ditto)
Saudi Arabia (ditto)
Tibet (is it a country or is it part of China nowadays?)
Norway (all those mountains)

Do the Falklands count as a country?

[donKey jote]

bit late, and only a 2 according to my source (Tibet I guess is an Autonomous Region of China, and the Falkvinas are a British Overseas Territory :) )

[schmenke]

Looking forward to Mrs. Schmenke's roast pork loin and mashed potatoes for dinner tonight :facelick: .

I believe the potatoes in our local grocery store are sourced from the U.S. (at least at this time of year), which is not surprising as the U.S. is one of the world’s top 10 spud-producing countries.

Name the other 9.

[donKey jote]

China Russia India Germany Ireland Mexico Spain France Belgium

[D-Type]

Looking forward to Mrs. Schmenke's roast pork loin and mashed potatoes for dinner tonight :facelick: .

I believe the potatoes in our local grocery store are sourced from the U.S. (at least at this time of year), which is not surprising as the U.S. is one of the world’s top 10 spud-producing countries.

Name the other 9.
Ireland
Poland
Russia
Canada
Germany
UK
South Africa
Egypt
Brazil

[BDunnell]

UK
France
Spain
Russia
Egypt
Germany
India
Canada
Ukraine
Indonesia

[schmenke]

1. China leads the world with an annual production (as of 2010 stats) of 74,800,000 MT ( :eek: )
2. India: 36,577,000 MT
3. Russia: 21,141,000 MT
4. Ukraine: 18,705,00 MT
5. U.S.A. 18,016,000 MT
6. Germany: 10,202,000 MT
7. Poland: 8,766,000 MT
8. ???
9. ???
10. France: 6,582,000 MT

Donks and B-Dunnel 5 correct each.
D-Type 3

Let's go for the remaing two...

[BDunnell]

Hungary
Bulgaria

[BDunnell]

Fascinating question, by the way.

[Tazio]

If it is good enough for France than it should also be good enough for :::::::::
The Netherlands?

[Tazio]

Do sweet patatoes count :)

[schmenke]

1. China leads the world with an annual production (as of 2010 stats) of 74,800,000 MT
2. India: 36,577,000 MT
3. Russia: 21,141,000 MT
4. Ukraine: 18,705,00 MT
5. U.S.A. 18,016,000 MT
6. Germany: 10,202,000 MT
7. Poland: 8,766,000 MT
8. ???
9. Netherlans: 6,844,000 MT
10. France: 6,582,000 MT

One to go and it ain't sweet :p :

[Tazio]

The only other large state in ther Eastern European Patatoe Belt that hasn't been mentioned is.......... Belarus?

[gadjo_dilo]

Anyway, here's some portuguese music for you, while I think about a donkey question:


Thanks a lot. I have a soft spot for portuguese language. Since I don't like to owe something to somebody I'll offer you some other portuguese dedications.

Jorge Moises - Larga dessa muie, larga - Muzic (http://www.trilulilu.ro/muzica-diverse/jorge-moises-larga-dessa-muie-larga)
Rio Negro e Solimões Pula Boi Pula Cavalo - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye0KeevpzMA)
Both of them big hits here.


Coming back to potatoes just checked our annual production. With about 3,5 mil. t, we're not in top 10.

[EuroTroll]

I have a soft spot for portuguese language.

Me too! It does sound good, doesn't it. Like a verbal caress. :)

[Tazio]

There are currently 10 countries that are spelled with four letters.
Name them!

[Koz]

Iran
Iraq
Chad
Mali
Oman
Peru
Fiji
Laos

Is all I have.

[Tazio]

Good start Koz
1 Iran
2 Iraq
3 Chad
4 Mali
5 Oman
6 Peru
7 Fiji
8 Laos
9 ?
10 ?

[gadjo_dilo]

I'm just listerning to a song and the band who sing it is half cubanese.

So let's add Cuba.

[Tazio]

Lets do :)

1 Iran
2 Iraq
3 Chad
4 Mali
5 Oman
6 Peru
7 Fiji
8 Laos
9 Cuba
10 ?

[schmenke]

Oh, sorry, were we growing tired of digging for the last answer for the potato question?

Hey no problem, by all means go ahead with a fresh Q :mark:

[Tazio]

Oh, sorry, were we growing tired of digging for the last answer for the potato question?

Hey no problem, by all means go ahead with a fresh Q :mark:
Sorry I was very confident I got the last one right. Now we aparrantly have two questions with one answer each remaining. :)

[Gregor-y]

Siam doesn't county anymore. :(

[schmenke]

Bangladesh is the world’s 8th largest potato producing country if anyone is interested (not quite in the Eastern European potato belt) :dozey:
Source: FAOSTAT (http://faostat.fao.org/site/339/default.aspx)

Carry on :dozey:

[Tazio]

Bangladesh is the world’s 8th largest potato producing country if anyone is interested (not quite in the Eastern European potato belt) :dozey:
Source: FAOSTAT (http://faostat.fao.org/site/339/default.aspx)

Carry on :dozey: According to the link you provided (which includes 2010 as its latest date) unofficially has Bangladesh at #6 and the UK are #10. What's up with that? :confused: ;)

[schmenke]

You will notice that I ordered the list in terms of annual production by MT, not revenue :) . Apologies if this caused any confusion.

As to the current Q...

Not to sound presumptuous, er, I mean confident, but I believe Togo might be the last country we’re looking for, although I’m not sure of the official name (Togolese Repubic, or somesuch).

[Tazio]

You will notice that I ordered the list in terms of annual production by MT, not revenue :) . Apologies if this caused any confusion.

As to the current Q...

Not to sound presumptuous, er, I mean confident, but I believe Togo might be the last country we’re looking for, although I’m not sure of the official name (Togolese Repubic, or somesuch). You did everything right. I simply confused myself. If I had not just glanced at it I would have seen the disparity for each country in that arena.
So there is still unfinished business with that Q
BTW:
1 Iran
2 Iraq
3 Chad
4 Mali
5 Oman
6 Peru
7 Fiji
8 Laos
9 Cuba
10 Togo
Good call :)

[EuroTroll]

So... what now? :)

[Tazio]

There is one more potato country left to name!

[schmenke]

See post #352.

[EuroTroll]

So... what now? :p :

[schmenke]

Post a Q :p :

[EuroTroll]

I think Koz should post a Q. ;)

[donKey jote]

Me too! It does sound good, doesn't it. Like a verbal caress. :)

so you and gagjo both enjoy some língua portuguesa... :erm: :angel: :p

[EuroTroll]

And Brazilians! :up: :angel: :p :

[EuroTroll]

I guess Koz has forgotten us, so here's a quicky.

Which is the most northern capital city in the world? Which is the most southern?

[donKey jote]

Reykjavik and Wellington

[EuroTroll]

Reykjavik and Wellington

How true. ;) Your turn. :cool:

[donKey jote]

Where would you go to find Muff?
and Cunit ?

[edv]

Where would you go to find Muff?
and Cunit ?

Anywhere near here??:

http://2.wildwalks.com/gallery2/247512.jpg

Or maybe here???:

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3204/3059136636_d9c0e5f4d6_z.jpg?zz=1

[donKey jote]

don't think so :p

[schmenke]

Is it cheating to ask mkbilly's missus?

[Koz]

I guess Koz has forgotten us, so here's a quicky.

:(


Where would you go to find Muff?
and Cunit ?

That really sounds dirty.

IIRC, characters in a English cartoon?

[EuroTroll]

:(

Sorry about that mate. ;) I should have been more patient.

[donKey jote]

:(



That really sounds dirty.

IIRC, characters in a English cartoon?

No dirtier than Pula :p

Not cartoon characters, towns... in what countries?

[BDunnell]

Two different countries?

[donKey jote]

yes

[BDunnell]

Canada and Portugal.

[Tazio]

France, and Portugal

[EuroTroll]

Belgium and Azerbaijan? :)

[donKey jote]

France, and Portugal
right continent at least, and fairly close to Cunit :)

[Tazio]

Netherland and Greece ???? :)

[gadjo_dilo]

Muff sounds very English. I suppose it's in UK or Ireland.

Cunit - I have no clue. I thought it's somewhere in the "slavic" area. But if it's close to France and Portugal...
Let's choose something exotic: Andorra?



so you and gagjo both enjoy some língua portuguesa... :erm: :angel: :p

If "lingua" means only "language" then I definitely love it. :laugh:

[donKey jote]

very close gadjo... in fact I'll hand you your Muff (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muff,_County_Donegal) :erm: as it's in Northern Ireland.
Now for the bonus :erm: :andrea:
What ****ry is close to Portugal, France and Andorra?
(oops I meant country)


p.s. Língua means tongue :erm: as in language tongue :)

[gadjo_dilo]

In Spain,
in Spain....

( Telling it like Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady...)

[donKey jote]

Well Cunit's in Catalonia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cunit) to be precise, but close enough ;) :p
I drove through it a couple of weeks ago but it wasn't funny enough for the others (all Germans :p ) to stop for a group pic.

Your Q :up:

[gadjo_dilo]

Where in this world is a merry cemetery?
Name the village/town.

[EuroTroll]

Where in this world is a merry cemetery?
Name the village/town.

In Merry? In 'Merrica :dork: :D

[donKey jote]

Where in this world is a merry cemetery?
Name the village/town.
hmmm.... can't think of the name...
it's the one everybody's dying to get into, right? :erm: :andrea:

[schmenke]

Shame on you Donks, this is a grave matter.

[donKey jote]

skulldiggery if you ask me :mark:

[schmenke]

This thread has gone deathly quiet.

[donKey jote]

Wait... I think I can hear someone coffin.

[schmenke]

I would have thought answers to this Q would have been coming up in spades.





< cough >

[donKey jote]

suddenly turned dead serious :dozey:

[donKey jote]

Oh well, donkey's bedtime...
see y'all tomb orrow :wave:

[schmenke]

G'night Donks.
We'll see you in the mourning.

[donKey jote]

:laugh: :up: :wave:

[EuroTroll]

Bloody pun-dits. :hmph: :p :

[gadjo_dilo]

Some tips:

The Merry Cemetery is a cemetery in the village of ............that is famous for its colourful tombstones with the native paintings that represent scenes from the life of the buried persons and even poetry in which those persons are described.

The unusual feature of this cemetery is that it grows apart from most of the ..........cultures, that consider death something solemn. Sometimes this is put in connection with the .......... culture, whose philosophy was based on the immortality of the soul and the belief that somebody's death was a joyful moment, as that person was getting to a better life.

The cemetery has its origin in some crosses sculpted by .......... ,born 1908 - died 1977,his own grave will be seen here ,made by himself before dying. In 1935, ........ sculpted the first epitaph and since the 1960s, the whole cemetery was populated with over 800 such crosses, sculpted from oak wood, and it became an open-air museum and a tourist attraction.His work will be continued by one of his learners,by ............,restaurating now old and creating new tombstones.


Pictures to follow.....

[gadjo_dilo]

I think "native paintings" should be read "naive paintings".

[schmenke]

Ah, now I know what you’re on about gadjo.

I’ve actually seen this in, of all things, a cooking show (Anthony Bourdain) on the telly :mark: .

The brightly coloured tombstones (many blue, if I recall) are found in a cemetery in Romania. Sorry, I don’t recall the name of the small town/village :mark: .

[gadjo_dilo]

Ah, now I know what you’re on about gadjo.

I’ve actually seen this in, of all things, a cooking show (Anthony Bourdain) on the telly :mark: .

The brightly coloured tombstones (many blue, if I recall) are found in a cemetery in Romania. Sorry, I don’t recall the name of the small town/village :mark: .

Ha! The Merry cemetery in a cooking show....

Anyway, since I don't think anybody would remember the name of the village and for the continuity of the thread I'll take your answer as right.

The name is Sapanta ( well, the 2 "a" and the "t" have a special pronunciation ) and is placed in Maramures county, northern Romania.

Pics of the place: Merry Cemetery in Sapanta,Romania Photo Gallery by Franz Bauer at pbase.com (http://www.pbase.com/bauer/sapanta)

Travel to Maramures - Sapanta - Merry Cemetery - Pictures, Information (http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/maramures/sapanta)

And these are some crosses of those who died in car or train crashes:
Captivating Romania » Blog Archive » The Merry Cemetery, S (http://www.captivatingromania.com/en/blog/2009/02/21/merry-cemetery-sapanta/)

Your turn Schmenke!

[donKey jote]

cool :)
I remember seeing that now in a documentary too, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't a cooking one :crazy:

[schmenke]

Ahem, just for the record, I’m not in the habit of watching many cooking shows :erm: Anthony Bourdain’s show is aired on the Discovery Channel :mark: (decent show; have a boo when you get a chance).

Um... next Q up in a bit... :erm:

[EuroTroll]

Ahem, just for the record, I’m not in the habit of watching many cooking shows :erm: Anthony Bourdain’s show is aired on the Discovery Channel :mark: (decent show; have a boo when you get a chance).

Seen it a couple of times. It is quite good. :up:

[schmenke]

Apologies in advance as this probably qualifies more as a civil engineering rather than a geo question :erm: .

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7188/6980061777_863ab3be81.jpg

At 1,160m, there are many suspension bridges around the world with a longer centre span, i.e. distance between towers. However the one in this photo has the distinction of having the longest span between anchorages, 2,626m, in the western hemisphere.
The total length of the bridge, including the approaches over water, is over 8kms. For comparison, the world’s longest bridge, the Akashi-Kaikyo in Japan, has a total length of just under 4kms.

Where, approximately, is this bridge? I.e. name the body of water it spans (or at least the two nearby significant major bodies of water), or name the two points of land that it connects.

Hints provided upon request... :erm: .

Good luck!

[schmenke]

Well, that was quick :s

Yes, it's the Mackinac Bridge, spanning the Strait of Mackinac which connects Lakes Michigan and Huron.

Well done Starter :up: . Have a go!

[schmenke]

I can’t help but feel guesses to this Q will span several pages.

[D-Type]

In the West of Scotland there's a bridge that spans over an arm of the sea - it's known as the "Bridge over the Atlantic" the only one spanning the Atlantic

[schmenke]

Perhaps the Bridge of Americas that spans the Panama Canal, linking North and South America?

[D-Type]

Tacoma Narrows?

[schmenke]

Ah, of course! The new bridge over the Colorado river, replacing the previous vehicle route over the Hoover dam :idea: . Don’t recall the name of the bridge though.
Another Discovery Channel show ;)

[edv]

Howza bout that bridge over the Achefelayah Swamp (spelling?) Interstate 10 in Louisiana...it's pretty long, around 25-30 miles, I think.

Oh wait..you say single span replacing an existing bridge?
Then how about the new Oakland Bay Bridge (San Fran to Oakland).
Either that or the (new-ish) Sunshine Skyway Bridge just south of Tampa in Florida.

[Tazio]

San Diego-Coronado Bridge ?
It replaced the San Diego to Coronado Ferry, but that water looks too clean for San Diego Bay

[schmenke]

The Confederation Bridge linking the province of Prince Edward Island to the mainland of Canada (New Brunswick), replacing the previous ferry crossing?
Mind you, that’s been around for over 10 years now :mark:

[edv]

The old Sunshine Skyway was butt ugly...the newer one is gorgeous.

OK Here's a Question:

Which world capital city name means 'the capital' in its native language?

[schmenke]

I feel like cabbage for dinner tonight...

[Tazio]

Athens?

[edv]

No.
Athens, I believe, was named for the goddess Athena, who won out in a popularity contest against Poseidon.

[schmenke]

Ever seen the James Bond film Goldfinger? I wish I had a hat like Oddjob.

[Gregor-y]

Beijing, I believe.

[schmenke]

How often do you have the oil changed in your vehicle? I believe my current Hyundai is due.

[edv]

Not Beijing, although that is getting closer.

(schmenke, is your hovercraft full of eels again?)

[schmenke]

My hovercraft is fine, thanks.
Did I mention that I'm thinking of purchasing a Samsung tablet?

[edv]

Nobody seems to be taking your bait, so go ahead with a Q, if you like.

[Tazio]

My hovercraft is fine, thanks.
Did I mention that I'm thinking of purchasing a Samsung tablet?

This clue leads me to believe that it is Seoul :dork:

[edv]

This clue leads me to believe that it is Seoul :dork:
Correct.
I vow that my next question shall be schmenke-proof!

[Tazio]

edit let me try that once again

[Tazio]

The confluence of the St Mary's and St. Joseph rivers form a river that flows right next to this U.S City that has the same name as an ancient yet
contemporary European City (although pronounced slightly differently) what city is this?

[D-Type]

Paris?

[Tazio]

Paris?Not a bad guess. You have the Western Europe part right, but you are off by about 675 miles.

[Lousada]

Have you wikipedia'ed your question? Because it actually has two correct answers :o

[Tazio]

Have you wikipedia'ed your question? Because it actually has two correct answers :o
Is the "other" U.S. city on the path of the river that is formed by the confluence of the The St. Joseph and St. Marys River?
It's not a particularly long river!
Aha you are right I will change the Q to give me either set!
and a big bonus for getting both of them ;)

[Tazio]

I can see issues down the way so I am going to relinquish this Q and turn it over to Lousada.
The answer I was looking for was Toledo.
And as Lousada so adroitly pointed out Antwerp also fits the criteria,
With a population of 2,000 in Antwerp Ohio, I don't know how I missed it :bigcry:
Your Q Lousada

[Tazio]

In the interest of keeping this thread rolling I will pose a Q :cool:
Name the oldest constitutional republic in the world

[EuroTroll]

Liechtenstein

[Tazio]

No but you are relatively close in more than just proximity

[schmenke]

Switzerland?

[Tazio]

It is not Switzerland but if you took its southern most boundary you would be closer than Liechtenstein

Here is another clue:
It has the smallest population of all the members of the Council of Europe.

[Tazio]

Ok guys I want off the hook so other members can contribute Q's
This next clue should close the deal.
It has had an association with Formula 1 Racing :bulb:

[schmenke]

San Marino :dozey:

[BDunnell]

EDIT — a pointless effort deleted!

[Tazio]

San Marino :dozey: Bingo!!!

San Marino is the oldest surviving sovereign state and constitutional republic in the world, as the continuation of the monastic community founded on 3 September 301, by stonecutter Marinus of Rab. Legend has it that Marinus left Rab, then the Roman colony of Arba, in 257 when the future emperor, Diocletian, issued a decree calling for the reconstruction of the city walls of Rimini, which had been destroyed by Liburnian pirates.[7]

The constitution of San Marino, enacted in 1600, is the world's oldest constitution still in effect

[BDunnell]

Oh, didn't see the F1 bit. Monaco, then?

[schmenke]

I can’t be bothered to research anything juicy, so I’ll throw in a quickie.

The 49th parallel defines much of the Canada – US border. However, geographically a good portion of Canada lies south of this latitude. What percentage of the Canadian population lives south of the 49th?
First answer within a couple of % gets to ask something better :D

[D-Type]

Blind guess - 55%

[BDunnell]

80 per cent.

[Tazio]

:s ailor: Seventy-one %

[schmenke]

:s ailor: Seventy-one %

Spot on. Mostly due to large cities like Toronto and Montreal.

[Tazio]

Are you serious? I plucked that out of the clear blue.
I'll pass the forum to BDunnell to ask the next question

[Tazio]

OK I'll go again.
What do these three cities have in common geographically, beside the probability Eki has stayed in a hotel in each of them ;)

Havana, Cuba
Hanoi, Vietnam
Honolulu, USA

[EuroTroll]

Same latitude?

[Tazio]

Same latitude? You are correct, but what is significance of that latitude?

[Tazio]

There is a clue hidden in this video
Carl Sagan Cosmos - Eratosthenes - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpp7i5bYLxI)

[EuroTroll]

Is it maybe the border-line between tropical and temperate climate zones?

[EuroTroll]

There is a clue hidden in this video
Carl Sagan Cosmos - Eratosthenes - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpp7i5bYLxI)

Ah! Is it the northernmost latitude where the Sun can be at zenith?

[Tazio]

Is it maybe the border-line between tropical and temperate climate zones? I'll accept that because you explained (as far as I know) two of its attributes. What I was looking for is its name; Tropic of Cancer.
Your Q

[EuroTroll]

Cool, thanks! :cool:

What does this map show?

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t424/studiose1/pilt.jpg

[Tazio]

Comparative % of suicides? :confused: :vader:

[gadjo_dilo]

Romanian emigrants' destinations. :laugh:

[EuroTroll]

No and er... no. :)

[schmenke]

Interesting Q. The fact that both Somalia and China are both red is throwing me for a loop :cornfused:

Perhaps the number of homes without internet access?

[Gregor-y]

Freedom of press?
Cuba, Eritrea, North Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, China, Burmah and Syria all look like they're bad, while Scandinavia, Canada and Australia look good.

[EuroTroll]

Freedom of press?
Cuba, Eritrea, North Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, China, Burmah and Syria all look like they're bad, while Scandinavia, Canada and Australia look good.

Correct! :up: This is the world press freedom index map, according to Reporters Without Borders in 2009.

Your Q, Gregor-y. :cool:

[Gregor-y]

And I did guess that from looking at the red countries before I noticed the word 'restraints' in the corner!

Here's a simple one. At a major US city two rivers merge and lose both their names. Name the city and the rivers.

[edv]

Pittsburgh?
I say that because at '3 rivers stadium' 2 rivers merge to become the 3rd.
The resultant river is the Ohio.
One of the inputs is the Monongehela and the other is...ummm.... cannot exactly recall.

EDIT. Susquehana?

[Tazio]

I've watched too many sporting events at Three Rivers Stadium on TV to ever forget that the confluence of the Monongahela, and the Allegany form the Ohio River

[schmenke]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I figured the Ohio River was somehow involved in that trio, but wasn't sure how.

[Gregor-y]

Right city, 2 of three rivers, but the Susquehana is farther east and flows through New York and eastern Pennsylvania to the Chesapeake Bay while the Ohio meanders west and south to join the Mississippi. I never really thought about it growing up, but having two rivers firm a third isn't very common.

I'll say it's plenty close enough as the Allegheny River is easy to look up when you know the rest.

So ask away.

[edv]

Okay, this is about countries that are named after people.
There are only a few:
Bolivia (Simon Bolivar)
Colombia (Columbus)
America (Vespucci)
Nicaragua (Chief Nicarao)
Liechtenstein (Johann von Liechtenstein)
Saudi Arabia (King Saud)

There is one other major country that is named for a person. What is it?

[schmenke]

Petoria!

[EuroTroll]

Petoria!

Named after Peter Griffin? :laugh:

Great Q btw. I wish I had an idea. :)

[Gregor-y]

Rhodesia. Well, not any more.

[Tazio]

Let's try Dominica for the daily double ;)
**** you said major countries, how about Georgia?

[edv]

Nice try, but nope.

I'm now offline for 4 or 5 hours. Pls be patient.

[Tazio]

El Salvador?

[EuroTroll]

Luxembourg, after Rosa Luxemburg? :dork:

Just wanted to join in. :p : :dork:

[schmenke]

El Salvador?

El Salvador means "The Saviour" does it not?

[schmenke]

The Cook Islands come to mind, but I'm not sure if they are an independant nation.

[Tazio]

The Cook Islands come to mind, but I'm not sure if they are an independant nation.

There is one other major country that is named for a person. What is it?

I'm about 90% the sure The Cook Islands are a solverign state, but do you think they are a major country? What is the criteria to be considered a "Major Country?"

[Tazio]

El Salvador means "The Saviour" does it not? The saviour Jesus was a man. :dork: :)

[schmenke]

I'm about 90% the sure The Cook Islands are a solverign state, but do you think they are a major country? What is the criteria to be considered a "Major Country?"

Ah, good point.
I'm not sure whe edv's criteria for a "major" country is, but I can't imagine that the Cook Islands qualify :p :

Well, I used to know a bloke named Chad. And I met his friend Jordan once who's a fairly decent hockey player btw.


:erm:

[Tazio]

I have a nephew named Jordan who has been whippin' some a$$ in tennis for Occidental College

[D-Type]

San Marino (well, it's major enough to have a grand prix ;) )

[edv]

Howdy again.
I had not considered the Cook Islands when I posed my Q.
But I did put the word 'major' in the Q in order to disqualify these piddly little places like Saint Pierre and Saint Barthelemy, etc. Or even Turkey (named for schmenke, no?)

HINT: The country I'm looking for is bigger than all the others on my list save for America.

[BDunnell]

I assume this isn't a reference to Great Britain and Britannia? Because that would be incorrect.

[edv]

I assume this isn't a reference to Great Britain and Britannia? Because that would be incorrect.

No, Ben, it's not about G Britain, although a case might be made that G Britain was named for a bunch of albinos (Albion -white-) rather than the -white- cliffs LOL

[Tazio]

I assume this isn't a reference to Great Britain and Britannia? Because that would be incorrect.
I always thought the Great Britain was named after its most fierce warrior.... Boudica :p

[Tazio]

Philippines ?

[edv]

Philippines ?

CORRECT!

Named for King Philip II

[Tazio]

The first successful nonstop circumnavigation of the earth by hot air balloon was in 1999. Where did it depart from? I'll accept the name of the country, but it would be way cool if you can be more specific. :cool:

[Tazio]

San Marino (well, it's major enough to have a grand prix ;) )
Even though it was never run in San Marino ;)

[gadjo_dilo]

Don't have a clue but let's say France.

[D-Type]

Was it Morocco? I seem to remember that the Sahara was the first stage

[Tazio]

D-type you have given me the area where the flight ended (actually Mauritania)
Gad_dilo you are close. One of the two pilot/passengers was a Brit, but not Richard Branson.

[Tazio]

D-type you have given me the area where the flight ended (actually Mauritania)
Gad_dilo you are close. One of the two pilot/passengers was a Brit, but not Richard Branson. This clue will help. At the time of the lift off roughly 88%
of the population of this village spoke French.

[schmenke]

I have no idea of the village, but was it in Switzerland?

[Tazio]

Correct :up:
They left from Château-d'Oex in the Swiss Alps
About where they ended Wiki says it was in Egypt.
If that 's true I apologize for giving incorrect info, and hope that didn't throw anyone off.
Ask away Schmenke

[schmenke]

Cheers Doc. Um... back in a bit :erm:

[BDunnell]

Brian Jones, by the way, was the Brit on board said balloon.

[schmenke]

Three digit IATA airport designation codes begining with the letter Y are generally reserved for airports in Canada (e.g. YYC for Calgary
International, YVR for Vancouver international, etc.).
However, there are 9 airports in 7 other countries that have a code begining with Y. I don't expect you to name the airports, but I'm sure you
can all collectively muster up the countries. In the interest of expediency, I’ll provide two: Cameroon and The Comoros Islands. Name the other 5.

Fyi, the codes are:

YAO - Yaounde - Cameroon
YVA - Moroni - Comoros
YIH - Mystery Country 1
YOK - Mystery Country 2
YKS - Mystery Country 3
YNB - Mystery Country 4
YKM - Mystery Country 5
YAK - Mystery Country 5
YUM - Mystery Country 5

[BDunnell]

YOK — Yokota, Japan?
YAK — Yakutsk, Russia?
YUM — Yuma, Arizona, USA?

[BDunnell]

Of course, I now see that YAK can't be Yakutsk, as it must be in the same country as YUM, and I'm sure the latter has to be Yuma. Apologies.

[schmenke]

Decent start, sort of :p : , but since I asked for the countries, I'll fill in the following:

YAO - Yaounde - Cameroon
YVA - Moroni - Comoros
YIH - Mystery Country 1
YOK - Yokohama - Japan
YKS - Yakutsk - Russia
YNB - Mystery Country 4
YKM - Mystery airport, USA
YAK - Mystery airport, USA
YUM - Yuma - USA

Obviously Mystery Country 5 is the USA, but I'll solicit bonues answers for the airport names :D .

Two countries remaining.

[gadjo_dilo]

Poland?

[Tazio]

Yemen? :confused:

[schmenke]

Poland is not close to either, but Yemen is getting warm to one of them.

[Tazio]

Yakima USA