9 for 10 - World Heritage Sites Quiz

Answer: Amphitheatre

The Amphitheatre of El Jem was one of the largest in the world and had a seating capacity of more than thirty thousand. Built in the third century, it is located in the centre of modern day Tunisia and composed entirely of stone blocks. The town, known as Thysdrus during its Roman occupation, was famous as a centre of olive oil production.

Answer: Croatia

Plitvice Lakes National Park was one of the first natural sites to be included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Formed in the karst region of the central part of the country, the park consists of a number of lakes separated from each other by dams of travertine, a type of limestone. The lakes change in colour from blue to grey depending on the minerals found within.

Answer: Rock carvings

Val Camonica, located in the region of Lombardy in Italy, has one of the largest collections of pre-historic petroglyphs or rock carvings. The engravings date back to more than eight thousand years before the Iron Age right up to the 19th century. The Camunian rose, now adopted as a symbol of Lombardy, was also found among the carvings here.

Answer: Ontario

The name Rideau is taken from the French word meaning curtain, due to the appearance of the river's waterfalls at the meeting place with the Ottawa River. The canal is also honoured as a National Historic Site of Canada. When the river freezes over in winter, the part passing through central Ottawa doubles up as a public skating rink.

Answer: Paphos

According to legend, a sea stack off the coast of Paphos called Aphrodite's Rock is the birthplace of the Greek goddess of that name. Excavations around the town have also yielded other archaeological treasures, such as the mosaics of the Houses of Dionysus, Orpheus and Aion, and the Villa of Theseus which are believed to date back as early as the 3rd century.

The town was also visited by the apostle Saint Paul and, as per tradition, it is believed that he was tied to a stone pillar here and whipped for preaching the message of Christianity.

Answer: Ogasawara Islands

The Ogasawara Islands, also called the Bonin Islands, belong to Japan. The islands, which are in fact an archipelago comprising of more than thirty individual islands, are located to the south of Tokyo. Since the islands were never connected to any of the continents, their flora and fauna have developed uniquely. Some of the rare birds found here include the Bonin petrel, Japanese woodpigeon and Bonin White-eye. These characteristics have led to the islands being nicknamed 'The Galapagos of the Orient' and also earned them a place on the World Heritage site list.

None of the incorrect options have anything to do with the Orient.

Answer: Lena

Known as the Lena Pillars, the rocks stand at a height of 150-300 meters. Each pillar stands on its own and there are steep gullies between the pillars. The rocks contains both sedimentary and metamorphic forms.

Answer: Iran

Located in the Fars province of Iran, the name is derived from the Greek term meaning 'Persian city'. The construction of the city was begun by Darius I though most of the buildings were completed during his son, Xerxes the Great's, reign. Important buildings in this complex include a grand hall called the Gate of All Nations, a palace named Apadana and the Tombs of Kings.

Answer: Sun Temple, Konark

The Sun Temple is believed to have been built in the thirteenth century. Dedicated to the sun god, Surya, the temple is built in the shape of his chariot and also has horses carved in stone, pulling the chariot. It was nicknamed the Black Pagoda by European sailors.

Answer: Acropolis

Most well known among the buildings is the Parthenon, a temple built in honour of the city's patron goddess, Athena. Among the other buildings is an open air theatre called the Theatre of Dionysus. The site is a widely used symbol of the Classical period in Greek history.