North American City Pairs Trivia Quiz

Answer: British Columbia

Largest city in the Canadian province of British Columbia, Vancouver is also the most densely populated Canadian city. It sits on Burrard Peninsula on the Canadian Pacific coast to the north of the Fraser River. It takes its name from George Vancouver, a British Royal Navy captain and explorer. Logging provided the initial focus around which the settlement formed.

A relatively young city, it was incorporated in 1886.

Answer: British Columbia

Kelowna is a Canadian city located in the southern interior of the province of British Columbia. It sits on the east side of Okanagan Lake and fruit growing was the initial driver. Lack of roads did not help and it was not until the Canadian Pacific Railway built the steamer SS Aberdeen in 1893 that the population growth rate increased. The railway made it to Kelowna in 1925. The region is known for its wine-production, being the second-largest in Canada.

Answer: Ontario

On the north-western shore of Lake Ontario, the city of Mississauga is located in the Canadian province of Ontario. It is hedged in on all sides by the lake, the cities of Toronto and Brampton and the towns Milton, Oakville and Halton Hills. The city's name reflects its indigenous heritage.

Initially its growth was attributed to its proximity to Toronto, however having Canada's busiest airport has brought the headquarters of many multinationals and Canadian businesses to the city.

Answer: Ontario

Briefly capital city of the United Province of Canada from 1841, Kingston in the province of Ontario started its European presence as a French trading post and military fort known as Cataraqui. It became British after the conquest of New France (1759-1763) and was renamed. Situated at the head of the St. Lawrence River and at the mouth of the Cataraqui River, it was strategically important historically with fortifications and navy dockyards to reflect that. These days the economy relies heavily on the public sector.

Answer: Florida

Jacksonville is on the Atlantic coast of the US state of Florida. The first Europeans to settle in the area were the French in the mid-16th century, followed by the Spanish, the British, the Spanish again and finally the US in 1821. The settlement of Cow Ford established by the British on the St. Johns River became the site for Jacksonville, named after the president-to-be Andrew Jackson who was the territorial governor at the time.

The river and its access to the Atlantic has proved key to the growth of the city.

Answer: Florida

On the Gulf coast of the US state of Florida, Tampa started off as a military centre in the 19th century when Fort Brooke was established following the Treaty of Moultrie Creek (1823) between the US and several bands of Florida-based Native Americans.

The name 'Tampa' has indigenous roots, being recorded as 'Tanpa' in the memoirs of a Spanish captive. A factor in the early growth of Tampa was the rail link which in turn led to the establishment of the cigar industry, making Tampa the 'cigar capital of the world' for a time. Tampa also has Florida's largest tonnage port.

Answer: California

The city of Fresno takes its name after the numerous ash trees found on the banks of the San Joaquin River in the US state of California, 'fresno' being the Spanish for 'ash tree'. Founded in 1872 as a railway station on the Central Pacific Railroad, Fresno is now an economic hub for surrounding large-scale agricultural producers.

In the geographic centre of the state, it is the nearest city to Yosemite National Park and well-positioned for other such attractions.

Answer: California

San Jose is a city found within the Silicon Valley area of the US state of California. As such, its economy has a strong connection to high technology and innovation. Situated in the middle of the Santa Clara Valley, its name speaks to its time in the Spanish Empire.

The name is derived from the city's predecessor, namely el Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe. The accent was removed in 1943.

Answer: Tennessee

Memphis in the US state of Tennessee sits along the banks of the Mississippi River. Known for its music scene, starting with blues, early rock and roll, and soul music, the city was founded with river traffic in mind. Its site on a bluff overlooking the river made it a prime location for avoiding floods. It remains one of the country's leading hubs for transportation and logistics.

Answer: Tennessee

Chattanooga is another city situated along the Mississippi River, also in the state of Tennessee. The name of the city is derived from a Muskogean word possibly referring to Lookout Mountain and was adopted to reflect the area's Native American heritage. Multiple railroads converging on the site made the city crucial during the American Civil War and have helped it grow into one of the largest heavy industry hubs in the region.

The city is immortalised in the 1941 Glenn Miller song "Chattanooga Choo Choo".