Pick the Pacific Ports Trivia Quiz

Answer:

The largest of Earth's seven oceans, bounded by four continents (Asia, Australia/Oceania, North and South America), the Pacific Ocean is a major waterway whose shores host many of the world's busiest seaports. Indeed, about half of the ports featured in the list of the world's 50 busiest container ports are located in the Pacific region.

Founded in 1860 with a name meaning "Ruler of the East", Vladivostok - the capital of the Far Eastern Federal District - is Russia's largest port on the Pacific Ocean. It lies around the Golden Horn Bay on the Sea of Japan, not far from the borders with China and North Korea. Located at the eastern end of the Trans-Siberian Railway, Vladivostok is an important cargo and passenger port. The city also hosts the headquarters of the Russian Pacific Fleet.

The capital of Kanagawa Prefecture, Yokohama is located on Tokyo Bay. It is the largest port in the Greater Tokyo Area, as well as one of the island country's most populous cities. Originally a small fishing village, it gained importance after the Treaty of Peace and Amity of 1854 ended almost two centuries of Japanese isolation. The Port of Yokohama was opened in 1859, and quickly became the base of foreign trade in Japan.

South Korea's second-largest city, Busan is located at the southeastern tip of the Korean Peninsula, on the Korea Strait; the Japanese island of Tsushima lies across the strait's Western Channel. The port at the mouth of the Nakdong River was established in 1876 to serve as a trade hub for Korea, China and Japan. By the early 21st century, it had grown into one of the world's ten busiest container ports.

One of the world's most populous cities, Shanghai is also one of the world's top ten busiest ports. In 2024, it ranked first in the list of busiest container ports, and eighth in the list of busiest cruise ports by number of passengers. The city, which developed into a major trading hub in the late 18th century, lies on the southern estuary of the Yangtze River, on the East China Sea. With its eclectic architecture and cosmopolitan feel, Shanghai is also one of China's major tourist destinations.

Also known by the English name of Canton, Guangzhou is one of China's largest cities, as well as one of the world's ten busiest container ports. Located in the Pearl River Delta, a densely populated region on the South China Sea that also includes Hong Kong, Macao and Shenzhen, Guangzhou has been a major port for over 2,000 years. It is also famous for its cuisine and many historic sights.

Located in central Vietnam, on the South China Sea, Da Nang is Vietnam's third-largest port after Ho Chi Minh City and Haiphong. It is not only a busy container port, but is also able to receive large cruise ships. Indeed, the region around Da Nang is rich with sites of great cultural and natural interest that have made the city one of Asia's top tourist destinations.

The capital of the state of Queensland, Brisbane lies near the mouth of the Brisbane River at Moreton Bay, on Australia's eastern coast. It is the country's third-largest city, as well as its third-busiest port. Located on the south side of the river's mouth, the port of Brisbane mainly handles cargo ships. The Brisbane International Cruise Terminal, opened in 2022, is located on the northern side of the Brisbane River's mouth: it can accommodate even the largest cruise ships.

Nicknamed "Jewel of the Pacific", Valparaíso is Chile's second-largest city, located in the centre of the country. Founded in 1536 by the Spanish, it is Chile's main freight and passenger port, as well as a vibrant cultural hub with a diverse population that reflects its past as a magnet for European immigrants. The historic quarter of Valparaíso, built on a series of steep hillsides overlooking the Pacific Ocean, was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.

Founded in 1537, Callao lies on the Pacific coast, about 15 km (9.3 mi) west of the centre of Lima. It is Peru's main seaport, with a long history as a trade hub during the colonial era, being strategically located on the Manila galleon route that connected Asia with Latin America. The city is also home to a large naval base and Peru's main international airport. Unfortunately, Callao also has a reputation for crime, being a major centre for cocaine traffic.

Mazatlán (Nahuatl for "place of deer") lies on the Gulf of California, facing the southernmost tip of the Baja California peninsula, in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. Settled by the Spanish in 1531, the city is one of Mexico's chief Pacific ports, as well as a thriving cultural centre and a popular tourist destination. The port of Mazatlán is the largest fishing port on the west coast of Mexico; its cruise port is a short walk from the city's famed Malecón, one of the world's longest boardwalks.

Located about 32 km (20 mi) south of downtown Los Angeles, Long Beach is the second-busiest container port in the US, and one of the world's largest shipping ports. It grew from a large land grant known as Rancho Los Cerritos, and was incorporated in 1897, shortly after receiving its current name. Long Beach is also known for its arts scene and beachfront attractions - including RMS Queen Mary and the Aquarium of the Pacific.

The most populous city in British Columbia, as well as Canada's largest and busiest port, Vancouver lies on the Strait of Georgia, which separates the mainland from Vancouver Island. Established in 1870 with the name of Granville, the city was renamed in honour of British explorer George Vancouver in 1886. Known for its high quality of life, Vancouver is not only a major business centre, but also an ethnically and linguistically diverse city with a thriving cultural scene.

Three of the ports listed as incorrect answers are located on the Atlantic Ocean: Santos (Brazil), Valencia (Spain, Mediterranean Sea) and Houston (USA, Gulf of Mexico). Durban (South Africa) and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia, Red Sea) are located on the Indian Ocean, while Murmansk (Russia) lies on the Barents Sea, a marginal sea of the Arctic Ocean.