Index : N : North America

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Interesting Questions, Facts, and Information

North America

With my trip nearly over I head for Boston and the Charles Hayden Planetarium. I simply can't sleep in this theatre as there is an Audience Response System which lets me interact with the planetarium program. Amazing. I have also promised relatives that when in Boston I would take time to buy them merchandise at the Coop. Who established the Coop?

Around North America in a Planetarium Seat (Nannanut)


A group of students. The Harvard/MIT Cooperative Society was founded in 1882 by a group of students. Quickly dubbed the Coop - it was intended to provide competitive prices and offer dividends its members - drawn from the academic and professional community. I decide logo T-shirts will be the coolest choice I can make. I also peep nostalgically around Harvard Yard, remembering my obsession with the movie "Love Story".



Which state borders Oregon to the south?

Anchovies' North American Geography 101 (borisanchovy)


California. The Oregon/California border is where the Beaver State meets the Golden State. To the north, Oregon borders Washington State. This question was created by Adrift from the United States



Which North American river would you cross to travel from El Paso to Ciudad Juarez?

North American Geography Bee (fred89)


Rio Grande. The Mississippi River doesn't run across Mexico. It empties into the Gulf of Mexico.



Which lake is the deepest lake in the United States?

Anchovies' North American Geography 101 (borisanchovy)


Crater Lake. Crater Lake's deepest point is 1,949 feet. It's also the 7th deepest lake in the world. This question was created by borishanchovy from the United States.



Where would you find the Inuit people?

Northern America (jvannouhuys)


All three.



Where was the Klondike Gold Rush?

Northern America (jvannouhuys)


Yukon. August 17, 1896: Discovery of Gold in the Yukon . On Rabbit Creek, three men searched for gold. They were the Yukon natives, Skookum Jim and Tagish Charlie, and their American friend, George Carmack. They discovered gleaming gold, quickly staked their claims, and renamed the creek 'Bonanza'. By today's standards, gold from the area would be worth over a billion dollars. Word of The Bonanza Discovery spread fast, and soon thousands descended on Dawson, hastily constructed at the meeting point between the Yukon and Klondike Rivers. One hundred thousand adventurers, from all over the globe, set out for the Frozen North. Steamships were swamped with requests. Outfitters ran out of supplies. History's greatest gold rush was under way.



Where is the Denmark Strait?

Northern America (jvannouhuys)


Between Greenland and Iceland.



Where is the Beaufort Sea?

Northern America (jvannouhuys)


North of Alaska and Canada.



Where is 'Gates of the Arctic National Park'?

Northern America (jvannouhuys)


Alaska. Spread across northern Alaska, beyond the Arctic Circle, is the 600 mile long Brooks Range. In the heart of the mountain range is Gates of the Arctic National Park. The southern slopes are covered with taiga (forest). In contrast, north of the range is the Arctic tundra (treeless).



Where can you find the Oregon Vortex?

Anchovies' North American Geography 101 (borisanchovy)


Gold Hill, Oregon. The Oregon Vortex is, by most, considered to be a spherical field of force, or gravity. Others say it's merely optical illusions that make people appear taller or shorter depending on where they stand. Same thing why items seem to roll uphill. Either way, it's a fun place to visit. If you like to take a look at what appears to occur in the vortex, search for "Oregon Vortex" on Youtube. There are quite a few home videos from the Vortex posted there. This question was created by borishanchovy from the United States.



Where are the Ottawa Islands?

Northern America (jvannouhuys)


Hudson Bay.



Where are the Aleutian Islands?

Northern America (jvannouhuys)


In the Bering Sea. Between Russia and Alaska.



What is the largest Caribbean Island?

North American Geography Bee (fred89)


Cuba. St. Thomas is the largest of the US Virgin Islands.



What is the capital of Nunavut?

Northern America (jvannouhuys)


Iqaluit. Nunavut is a vast territory of northern Canada that stretches across most of the Canadian Arctic. Created in 1999 out of the eastern portion of the Northwest Territories, Nunavut encompasses the traditional lands of the Inuit, the indigenous peoples of Arctic {Canada;} its name means 'Our Land' in Inuktitut, the language of the Inuit. The capital is Iqaluit, at the head of Frobisher Bay on southern Baffin Island.



What is the capital of Greenland, Nuuk, also called?

Northern America (jvannouhuys)


Godthab . Modern Nuuk (Godthab) dates from 1721, when the Norwegian missionary Hans Egede founded a colony near the site of Vesterbygden, a 10th-century Norse settlement. About 13,000 people live in Nuuk (Godthab).



Vicksburg, an important Confederate stronghold during the Civil War, occupies a strategic location overlooking which river?

North American Geography Bee (fred89)


Mississippi. The Mississippi River empties into the Gulf of Mexico.



To which city does the following quotation refer? "A third-rate Babylon." (H. L. Mencken; US editor 1880 - 1956. Source: Rand Lindsly's Quotations.)

Anchovies' North American Geography 101 (borisanchovy)


New York. H.L. Mencken was nicknamed the "Sage of Baltimore". He was a 20th-century journalist, and satirist. This question was created by nikki-d from Ireland.



Still further south in San Francisco, I find Morrison Planetarium closed and its 'one of a kind' projector retired forever. I won't be here when the new facility opens, so instead I take a walk in the park outside the old building. Which park am I in?

Around North America in a Planetarium Seat (Nannanut)


Golden Gate Park. Morrison Planetarium was built as part of the California Academy of Sciences. The complex was designed to house the Steinhart Aquarium, the Natural History Museum and the planetarium. The Academy opened its doors in 1853. I am disappointed - not a star or planet in sight - I don't even get a chance to nap.



Rochester is my next port of call. Strasenburgh Planetarium is part of the Rochester Museum and Science Centre. After a morning of playing with all the hands on exhibits, I opt for yet another Pink Floyd laser show. When I venture out, I discover an amazing house on East Avenue that belonged to a pioneer in which industry?

Around North America in a Planetarium Seat (Nannanut)


Photography. George Eastman pioneered photography for the masses. "You press the button we do the rest" was one of the company's mottos. He created the word Kodak for a film camera he was developing - claiming he liked the letter K and wanted a strong name for his product. Of course I take lots of pictures.



Purcell, Bighorn, and Medicine Bow are ranges that are part of which North American mountains?

North American Geography Bee (fred89)


Rockies. The Rockies start around Alaska and go to Mexico.



Philadelphia - the city of brotherly love. Fels Planetarium is absolutely my last port of call before heading home. It is part of a large Institute that is named after which great American?

Around North America in a Planetarium Seat (Nannanut)


Benjamin Franklin. As well as its exhibition halls, the Franklin Institute houses the Fels Planetarium and an Imax Theatre. I decide to see what tonight's sky will look like just one more time before I fly home. I am a credit to myself. I do not fall asleep and I have even begun to recognise some of the strange Northern Hemisphere constellations.



On to Buffalo and the Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium. It is a school day so my visit is noisy but enjoyable. When I am finished I treat myself to one of the most important tourist destinations in this region. Niagara Falls. I discover the American Falls were stopped completely in 1969 for several months. Why?

Around North America in a Planetarium Seat (Nannanut)


To see if loose rock could be removed from the base. The falls were stopped to assess the feasibility of removing loose rock at the base of the American Falls to enhance appearances. It proved an uneconomical idea. I sneak across the border to Niagara-on-the-Lake for some of the best retail therapy ever.



Next stop Chicago and the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum - "the first planetarium built in the Western Hemisphere". There are two planetarium theatres and an observatory as well. I enjoy my visit very much and am inspired to find even more educational stimulation - where else can I go to discover and learn in the "Windy City"?

Around North America in a Planetarium Seat (Nannanut)


All of these destinations (Lincoln Park Zoo, Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum). The Lincoln Park Zoo is busy and I smile when I see Australia's native koalas are a huge favourite with the visitors. The Field Museum - as well as being home to T-rex Sue - has an interesting Egyptian area too. The high point of my trip to this city however is standing in front of "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte - 1884" by Georges Seurat in the Art Institute of Chicago.



Next stop - Seattle. I discover the Willard Smith Planetarium is part of the Pacific Science Centre and is situated underneath one of Seattle's most recognisable structures. What is it?

Around North America in a Planetarium Seat (Nannanut)


The Space Needle. The Space Needle was built for the 1962 World's Fair. Conceived by Edward E Carlson, it is still the number one tourist attraction in Seattle. It has been a long trip, the seats are comfortable and I sleep through most of the Solar System tour.



My first planetarium visit ever was to the HR McMillan Planetarium in Vancouver. Love the giant crab sculpture. Which other tourist destination can I visit in this city?

Around North America in a Planetarium Seat (Nannanut)


All of them (Gas Town, Lions' Gate Bridge, Stanley Park). Vancouver - on Canada's west coast - is often called "Lotusland" by other Canadians. Situated at the mouth of the Fraser River, it has a wealth of tourist attractions. I see Pink Floyd's "The Wall" and am most impressed.



Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada, is the home of this endangered species. This species is also the only one of this type to be found in Ontario. What endangered species am I talking about?

Anchovies' North American Geography 101 (borisanchovy)


Massasauga Rattlesnake. The Massasauga rattler is a poisonous snake on the endangered list and is the only poisonous snake found in Ontario, Canada. This snake grows to be 2-3 feet long, and is light brown with darker spots. Manitoulin Island has the largest population of Massasaugas out of the four sites they are found in. This question was created by red-stone from Canada.



Manitoulin Island in Ontario, Canada is the largest fresh water island in the world. Manitoulin Island has another feature that makes it unique, what is it?

Anchovies' North American Geography 101 (borisanchovy)


Swing Bridge. The swinging bridge to Manitoulin Island is the last operational swing bridge in Canada. The bridge swings for ten minutes every hour and is the only bridge to the island. The swing bridge was built in 1913 and is protected by the Ontario Heritage Foundation. This question was created by red-stone from Canada.



Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and part of New York all border which Canadian province?

North American Geography Bee (fred89)


Quebec. New York also borders part of Ontario.



In Saint John, New Brunswick, twice a day the St. John River, due to Ocean tides, is forced to flow upstream, in effect reversing its natural flow. What is this natural wonder called?

Anchovies' North American Geography 101 (borisanchovy)


Reversing Falls. The Reversing Falls are created by a cluster of rapids and underwater ledges in the Saint John River, which is connected to the Bay of Fundy. The Ocean Tides enter through the Bay of Fundy with such force that when the tides reach a higher elevation than the river it causes the river to reverse its natural flow. When this happens the Reversing Falls are created. This question was created by jojanne1974 from Canada.



In North America, which highway crosses most lines of longitude?

North American Geography Bee (fred89)


Trans-Canada Highway & Trans Canada Highway. I-40 and the Blue Ridge Parkway ran the North Carolina.



In 1907, the land that had been set aside as Indian Territory for the so-called Five Civilized Tribes became which south-central state?

North American Geography Bee (fred89)


Oklahoma.

• North America's highest mountain? ( goto )



• Where is the geographic center of North America? ( goto )



• What is the lowest point in North America? ( goto )



• What is the geographic center of North America? ( goto )



• Where is North America's smallest jailhouse? ( goto )



• What is the largest mausoleum in North America? ( goto )



• Are bluebirds found outside North America? ( goto )



• What exactly separates North America from South America? ( goto )



• What is North America's heaviest flying bird? ( goto )



• What are the 3 deepest lakes in North America and where are they? ( goto )



• What was the first play performed in North America? ( goto )



• Where are the only free-roaming panthers in North America? ( goto )



• What is North America's largest man-made reservoir? ( goto )



• Who claimed the eastern coast of North America for England? ( goto )



• Who were the first Europeans to visit North America? ( goto )



• Which is the only musical instrument that originated in North America? ( goto )



• Who was the first witch to be burned at the stake in North America? ( goto )



• Where is the largest airport international terminal in North America? ( goto )



• What is the most widely read magazine in the North America? ( goto )



• Who was the first Norse explorer who landed in North America? ( goto )



• Will a DVD purchased in Europe work on a DVD player in North America? ( goto )



• In what city was soccer (football) first played in North America? ( goto )



• What company is the second largest manufacturer of telephone equipment in North America? ( goto )



• Geographically, what places are said to be the most central places of Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Africa? ( goto )



• In 1950 what RCMP vessel became the first ship to sail around North America? ( goto )



• Who is the only non North America born player named the playoff MVP in the NHL? ( goto )



• What bird breeds on the coasts of North America, but makes its winter home in the Antartic? ( goto )



• What gem is found nowhere in North America except around The Northwest Territories’ Point Lake? ( goto )



• If I am looking at the largest exposed geological fault in North America, where am I? ( goto )



• Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada claims to be the only city in North America which forbids the public wearing of what? ( goto )