UNESCO in the United States Trivia Quiz

Answer: Washington

Washington's Olympic National Park was spared the destruction caused by the Mt. St. Helens eruption in 1980, as it sat west of the eruption site and the jet stream took most of the ash content east. The park sits in the far western part of Washington, with some of it being bordered by the Pacific Ocean. Few roads lead to the center of the park, so hikers flock to the park to completely void themselves of human interference.

Answer: New York

Liberty and the islands it sits on belong to New York City, however the site is an exclave, meaning it is an area that sits entirely inside another state's jurisdiction, in this case New Jersey. The surrounding harbor is New Jersey Harbor. The famous "Give me your tired" words come from the poem "The New Colossus", written by Emma Lazarus.

Answer: New Mexico

With these two sites and Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico leads the pack in UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the United States with three locations inside its borders. Taos Pueblo was named to the list in 1992, and Chaco Culture was inducted in 1987. Carlsbad made the list in 1995.

Answer: Virginia

The only UNESCO World Heritage Site in the U.S. that features a school, Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville are still both operated by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation. They have helmed operations there since 1923.

Answer: Colorado

Mesa Verde is in the far southwest corner of Colorado, very near to the town Cortez. The ancient Pueblan civilization who founded it lasted from about 350 AD to 1300 AD. Theodore Roosevelt signed the bill making it a national park. The signs of routine occupation began in the 500s on the plateau. From the 750s on, the cliff dwellings were built, including the multi-storied constructions such as the Cliff House. Between the 1100 and 1300ss the Anasazi civilization reached its peak.

It then mysteriously disappeared.

There are many theories on why, and where they went, but nothing has been proven.

Answer: Illinois

Appearing just east of the Mississippi River near East St. Louis, Illinois, Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site covers six square miles. Named after a tribe of Illiniwek American Indians, the Cahokia Mounds are shrouded in mystery, as the cultures that lived there left no written record beyond symbols on pottery and such.

Therefore little is known beyond theories brought on by historians. Standing on the mound gives a very clear view of the St. Louis, Missouri skyline.

Answer: North Carolina and Tennessee

There is something for everyone from fishermen to hikers, with over 800 miles of hiking trails. The area was originally part of the Cherokee homeland, but with the Indian Removal Act they were relocated to Oklahoma. The government did not have enough money to establish a park, and didn't own enough land in that lovely area, so John D. Rockefeller, the US government and various citizens of both Tennessee and North Carolina funded the land for the park, piece by piece.

The people living there at that time, the homesteaders, miners and loggers, were evicted. Cade's Coven with its well-preserved homesteads, is a popular destination, having been home to a number of settlers prior to their eviction.

Answer: Florida

The Florida Everglades were inhabited by the Tequesta and Calusa tribes long before Columbus ever came over across the pond. Draining of the area began in the 1880s to allow more habitation to form. Today it is home to the endangered Florida Panther and the American crocodile. Restoration plans by the U.S. government began in the late 20th century.

The Everglades made the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1979.

Answer: Kentucky

Kentucky's Mammoth-Flint Ridge Cave System was primarily formed by the Green River. "Mammoth" refers to the size, and not the animal, as no fossils of mammoth have ever been found. Numerous species of bats inhabit the caves extensive trails. With so many extensions to tour, the tourism is spread out over a huge area, with several independent touring organizations giving tours to thousands every year. Mammoth dwarfs the second largest cave system in the United States, achieving twice the size as South Dakota's Jewel Cave system.

Answer: Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park located about 350 miles north of San Francisco has not only the magnificent Coast Redwood (Sequoia Sempervirens) forest which contains some of the tallest and oldest trees on earth that take up to 400 years to mature, but also has marvelous land and sea life such as the endangered California Brown Penguin, sea lions and the bald eagle. The park comprises a part of the California Coastal Ranges Biosphere Reserve.