Any Mediterranean Port in a Storm Quiz

Valencia, on Spain's east coast, is Spain's third-biggest city. It was settled by Romans in 138 BC, became a Moorish Islamic city in the eighth century, and was taken back by the Aragonese Christians in 1238. The city thrived by the 15th century, owing to trade with the rest of the Iberian Peninsula, nearby Italian ports, and other locations further east in the Mediterranean Sea; it became one of Europe's largest cities by the early 1600s.

Valencia's port is the biggest on the Mediterranean western coast despite having no natural harbour nor being built on a major river. The port has grown outward from the shoreline. By 2008, it was the busiest container port in Spain, with 20% of all Spain's exports passing through this port. Valencia has a thriving manufacturing sector and manufactured goods make up a large proportion of its exports. In 2007 the port was divided into two to accommodate hosting the 32nd America's Cup. A wall separates the two functions and remained in place after the competition was complete.

Two small satellite ports also operate under the authority of the Port of Valencia. The Port of Sagunto is dedicated to natural gas and accounts for 10% of all port volume. The second, the much smaller Port of Gandia, specialises in the export and import of forestry products such as timber, pulp and paper. There is a passenger facility at the port but the numbers are proportionately much lower than expected for a port of this magnitude.

This question was written by Phoenix Rising Team member 1nn1.

Marseille is the oldest city in France. It was founded around 600 BC as Massalia, a Greek colony. France was then known as Gaul. Once the Greeks landed in the region, a port was swiftly constructed on the rocky cove. The port lies in close proximity to the mouth of the Rhone river, giving easier access to other regions in France and beyond. Inland trade routes developed as far as the Baltic Sea. Later in the rail days, trade supplies from the port reached farther destinations.

Marseille has been ruled by Greeks, Romans, Visigoths, Umayyad Arabs, and Germans. Walls were erected to fortify the city from attack and the plague. The most recent attack was during WWII when the city was bombed by Germany and Italy. Germany occupied the city and destroyed it in 1943. The city was rebuilt during the 1950s from reparations paid by Germany and Italy.

The original port of Marseille was a thriving trade stop for many regions from 600BC until the mid-1805s. The old port was bustling, very congested, and needed to be expanded. Marseille-Fos Port was built and is the main seaport of France. The old port, now known as the "Old Port of Marseille" is mainly a pedestrian area with a main street called Canebiere.

The port of Marseille provides dry docking, cruise ship terminals, oil refinery, and cargo ships. It is France's main seaport and makes the top ten biggest ports list in Europe.

Although Marseille was founded in 600BC, there have been discoveries of underwater cave paintings placing humans in the region for nearly 30,000 years!

Jaknginger of Phoenix Rising ported this question into the Red Crew team quiz.

The capital of the region of Apulia (Puglia), in southeastern Italy, Bari lies on the western coast of the Adriatic Sea, surrounded by a vast plain. It is the largest urban area in the Adriatic region, and one of Italy's largest cities - home to over 1 million people in its metropolitan area. Bari (whose name comes from the Illyrian "Barė", meaning "meadow") was probably founded in the Bronze Age, but acquired importance in Greek and especially Roman times.

Like most other Italian cities, it was ruled by many powers throughout its history, and became part of the Kingdom of Italy after the end of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in 1860. However, the city owes its modern development as a major port to Joachim Murat, Napoleon Bonaparte's brother-in-law and King of Naples, who in 1808 ordered the building of an entirely new section of the city.

Bari's medieval old town, known as "Barivecchia" ("Old Bari") is dominated by the large fortress built for Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, in the 12th century, and two imposing Romanesque churches - the Cathedral and the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, which houses the relics of the beloved saint, brought to Bari by the Normans from the saint's original shrine in Myra (now part of Turkey). Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of the city, whose feast is celebrated twice a year, in May and December. Bari also boasts one of Italy's most important theatres, the Teatro Petruzzelli, which was reopened in 2009 after being destroyed by a fire in 1991. Since 1929 Bari has hosted one of the most important international fairs in the Mediterranean region, the Fiera del Levante ("Fair of the East"), mainly focused on industry and agriculture.

The Port of Bari is located to the north of the city centre. A gateway to the Balkan Peninsula and the Levant, it is a major hub for both cargo and passenger traffic, with regular ferry connections to Greece (including the Ionian Islands), Croatia, and Albania, and a cruise terminal. An older fishing port lies in the southern part of the city.

LadyNym of Phoenix Rising's Red Crew wrote this question thinking of her father, who studied at the University of Bari.

Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece, situated on the Thermaic Gulf, in the northwest corner of the Aegean Sea. The Port of Thessaloniki was established along with the city in 315 BC by King Cassander of Macedon. He named it for his wife, Thessalonike, who was also Alexander the Great's half-sister. The port passed into Roman hands in 168 BC and became one of the busiest and most important in the Empire. During the Byzantine era, Emperor Constantine built a new, square port with roads linking it to the city. It remained a key import/export nidus for the 1000 years of the Byzantine empire.

After some initial decline during Ottoman rule, the port was refurbished and connected to railroads that made it the "gateway to the Balkans." The city (and the port) were captured by the Greek army during the First Balkan War. The Germans occupied the port during World War II, and it was almost completely destroyed by Allied bombing and German sabotage. Today, the port is a vibrant cultural area - an international film festival is held in converted warehouses there, and a photography museum is in another warehouse. Ferries leave for many of the Greek isles and cruise ships dock regularly. The port is the second-largest port for container shipping in the country.

Player pusdoc of Phoenix Rising's Red Crew ferried this question into the quiz.

Known as Smyrna (a name of ancient but unclear origin, possibly derived from "myrrh") until 1930, Izmir is the third-largest city in Turkey, home to over 4 million people. Located on the eponymous gulf at the western end of Anatolia, Izmir was first settled around 3000 BC, but came into its own as a thriving and powerful city-state in the 7th century BC, when it joined the Ionian League. While it also prospered under Roman rule, after the end of the Western Roman Empire the city's importance declined for a few centuries. It grew again in the 16th century, when the products of the region (including cotton and grapes) brought traders from Europe who were granted privileged conditions by the Ottoman government - such as allowing each foreign consulate to have their own quay for their ships.

Izmir remained a cosmopolitan trade centre in the 19th and early 20th centuries. However, the years preceding the proclamation of the Turkish Republic (1923) were very difficult for the city, which was partly destroyed by a fire in September 1922. The population explosion of the 1960s and 1970s altered the fabric of the historic city, leading to uncontrolled urban growth. Modern Izmir's cityscape boasts many skyscrapers, some with rather distinctive shapes, while a lot of its old architectural heritage was lost in the 1922 fire. Throughout the year, the bustling city hosts many important business-related and cultural events, such as the Izmir International Fair and several music festivals.

The port of Izmir (also known as Port of Alcansak), which was developed in the late 19th century, is one of Turkey's 20 free economic zones, and the country's main port for the export of goods - in particular the plentiful agricultural products of the region.

LadyNym of Phoenix Rising's Red Crew wrote this question, fascinated by the long history of this remarkable city.

Dubrovnik is a port in Dalmatia in the southeast of Croatia. It was formerly known as Ragusa when it was a Byzantium-protected town populated by refugees from Epidaurum - an Ancient Greek colony- and later ruled by the Republic of Venice. In 1979 the medieval architecture of the city caused it to become an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In 1918 the city was part of what came to be known as Yugoslavia; it became an Axis puppet state during WWII and was occupied by the Italian Army and then by the German Army. Following the dissolution of Yugoslavia into Croatia and Slovenia, Dubrovnik became part of the Republic of Croatia.

Dubrovnik has a Mediterranean climate consisting of hot, muggy summers and cool wet winters, subject to the bora wind between October to April.
It is a walled city with 4-6 metre (13-20 feet) wide walls on the landward side with turrets and towers intersected for protection; the walls provide good filming locations for shows such as "Game of Thrones".

Red Crew's smpdit hopes to impart a flavour of this wondrous city that she hopes to visit one day.

Lebanon forms part of the eastern border of the Mediterranean Sea and has Beirut as the capital. The Beirut port was mentioned as early as the fifteenth century BC from correspondence between the Pharaohs and Phoenicians. It became a center for commercial trade during the Roman era. During the Umayyad Caliphate, the port housed the first Arabic fleet. The port was established as a center for East-West trade during the Crusades. In the late 1880s, the Ottomans gave the French authority over the port. It took until 1990 for the country to take full control over the port.

In the modern era, the port has seen turmoil and ruin, additionally periods of closure due to military conflict and explosions, including a fire in 2020. Being a very active port, it still has a negative reputation, garnering a nickname indicative of bribery and corruption, "Cave of Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves".

Jaknginger offered this question for the Red Crew team quiz.

Founded when Alexander the Great invaded Egypt, Alexandria is a now a bustling port city on the northern Mediterranean coast of Egypt. The port is in two parts, separated by a T-shaped peninsula was designed by Dinocrates, Alexander's personal architect. When the port was first built circa 331 BCE, the eastern port was used primarily for military vessels, while the western side was for cargo and commercial shipping. Situated on the Mediterranean coast, it soon became a vital commerce crossing between Europe and Asia. When the Romans conquered Alexandria in 30 BCE, grain and cotton became the biggest and most valuable exports. Through the years the various wares traded in Alexandria expanded to include textiles, spices, and luxury goods.

Today the eastern port is too shallow for large vessels so is used by small ships and boats. The western port is a busy shipping harbour with different zones for the various cargo ships, from edibles like flour, oil, molasses and grains, through to general cargo including cement and fertiliser. Mobile cargo, like livestock, cars and cruise passengers have their own designated docks.

This question was off-loaded by Phoenix Rising's leith90, who would classify herself as mobile cargo.

Tripoli boasts the largest and busiest transhipment port in Libya, and is one of the oldest ports in the Mediterranean. It is situated on Libya's northwestern coastline along the Mediterranean Sea and was established as a trading post by the Phoenicians in the 7th century. Tripoli, originally called Oea, has a chequered past, being invaded and controlled by many countries wanting the convenience of the port. It wasn't until 1951 when under British rule that Libya finally gained its independence.

The largest exported product in Libya is sweet crude oil, which accounts for 97% of all exports. The largest import is food. The Port of Tripoli is surrounded by heavy industry such as oil depots and vehicle assembly, and also many smaller industries including textiles, livestock and chemicals. The port can handle around 4 million tonnes of cargo through its 30 shipping berths.

Phoenix Rising's leith90 imported this information into the quiz.

Tunis is the capital of Tunisia; it is situated on the Gulf of Tunis in the Mediterranean Sea. The area of the port is known as La Goulette, a French derived name meaning the 'gullet', or the 'river's mouth' due to its position at the head of a canal linking the sea to the Lake of Tunis. This French name is due to Tunis becoming a French Protectorate in 1881 until Independence in 1956.

It is alternatively known as Halq al Wadi. In the 19th century it became a popular holiday destination. The ancient city of Carthage was located a short distance away to the north, which imbues Tunis with political and economic significance. The modern-day port receives ships carrying many different cargoes, but developments are planned to make it more geared towards cruise ships and other tourist endeavours.

Red Crew's smpdit sticks a pin in a port on the map.

The capital of Malta, Valletta became an UNESCO World Heritage site in 1980, largely due to the vast number of monuments in the city, 320 at the last count. These include Baroque palaces, churches, fortifications, and gardens. There are two natural harbours- Marsamxette and Grand Harbour, which is the major port of the city.

The city was founded by Jan de Valette, a French nobleman, Grand Master of the Order of St John, and Knight Hospitaller, who resisted the Ottomans at the Great Siege of Malta. In 1566 he laid the foundation stone to the city that came to bear his name, but did not live to see the city completed.

Tourism is a major economic factor for the city, notably the Grand Harbour area, bringing about the building of the Valletta Waterfront Project to accommodate the arrival of cruise liners. The Maltese Carnival takes place each year in the period leading up to Lent.

Red Crew's smpdit hopes to visit this fascinating island someday.

Known as "Casteddu" ("Castle") in Sardinian, Cagliari is the capital of the autonomous region of Sardinia, which is also the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Located in the south of Sardinia, on the gulf of the same name, Cagliari is home to about 450,000 people in its metropolitan area, which includes 16 other municipalities.

An ancient city with a long history, the area where Cagliari lies has been inhabited since the Neolithic era because of its favourable position between the sea and the fertile plain of the Campidano. The present city was founded by the Phoenicians in the 8th century BC, and given the name of Karalis - Caralis in Latin - when the city became the capital of the Roman province of Sardinia et Corsica at the end of the First Punic War. In the Middle Ages, Cagliari found itself a bone of contention between the two powerful maritime republics of Genoa and Pisa. It was subsequently conquered by the Kingdom of Aragon, and later became part of the Spanish Empire. In 1720, the whole of Sardinia came under the rule of the House of Savoy, which in 1861 became the ruling house of the Kingdom of Italy.

Modern Cagliari is one of the greenest cities in Italy, with its mild Mediterranean climate that favours the growth of many subtropical plant species. It also boasts some beautiful beaches, the largest of which is named Poetto. The city is home to various museums and monuments from various eras - including a surprising number of Art Nouveau buildings, and the largest surviving Punic necropolis.

The port of Cagliari is divided into an older section - known as the port of Via Roma - and a newer international container terminal, built in the 1980s, one of the largest in Italy and the Mediterranean. The port of Via Roma is the main terminal for cruises and passenger ferries connecting Cagliari with Civitavecchia (which serves as Rome's port), Naples and Palermo.

This question was written by LadyNym of Phoenix Rising's Red Crew, who has never been to Sardinia, but hopes to go one day.

Corsica is the fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean, and is a territorial collectivity of France. It lies 210 km (155 mi) southeast of Marseilles and 80% of the island is a single mountain chain.

Ajaccio is the capital and major port of the island. A small coastal city on the southwest of the island, about 25% of the island's 350,000 residents live in the capital. Napoleon Bonaparte was born there in 1769. The port is spread around the half-moon shaped Golfe d'Ajaccio, dominated by huge ferry terminals that berth large ferries that sail for Marseille, Nice and Toulon in France and Livorno and Sardinia in Italy.

Ajaccio has a thriving industry as a cruise ship stopover destination. The commercial port component is small, with most traffic being container vessels between Marseille and Ajaccio. The port also houses a large fishing fleet, as fishing is one of the major primary industries on the island.

This question was written by Phoenix Rising Team member 1nn1.

The capital of the Italian region of Sicily, the Mediterranean's largest island, Palermo was founded by the Phoenicians in the 8th century BC - probably around the same time as Rome - with the name of Zyz ("flower"). The city's Greek name, Panormos (from which its current name is derived), means "wide harbour", referring to its large natural port, originally flanked by two rivers. Throughout the centuries, Palermo was ruled by many powers - including the Byzantine Empire and the Arabs, which made it capital of Sicily for the first time. In the early 13th century, Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, had his primary residence there; his court became a hub for science, literature, and the arts.

Palermo is now one of Italy's largest cities, with a population of over 1 million in its metropolitan area. Besides its role as Sicily's administrative seat, it is a major tourist destination, with its sunny Mediterranean climate, beautiful beaches, and the stunning artistic legacy left by the many diverse cultures that found their home in the city. Palermo's bustling street markets offer many opportunities to try its extraordinary cuisine, influenced by North Africa and the Middle East, as well as the fresh produce (such as Sicily's renowned blood oranges) grown in the "Conca d'Oro" ("Golden Bowl"), the fertile plain surrounding the city.

One of the Mediterranean region's largest ports, the port of Palermo is a major cruise terminal and passenger hub, connected by regular ferry services to ports such as Genoa, Naples, Livorno, Civitavecchia, and Tunis. The Fincantieri shipyards, among the largest in the Mediterranean, specialized in the building and renovation of ferries and cargo ships, are located within the port.

LadyNym of Phoenix Rising's Red Crew wrote this question while yearning for some Sicilian pastries and blood oranges.

Limassol on Cyprus' southern coast is the second-largest city in the country with a 2011 metropolitan population of 240,000. It is also the chief port for Cyprus, as Nicosia, the capital and largest city, is inland. The city can trace its roots back to ancient Greek times, with graves indicating the city was settled as early as the 8th century BC. The centre of the city is built around its medieval castle and the old port at the foot of the castle.

When the Turkish invaded Cyprus in 1974, this pushed the main Cypriot Port of Famagusta within occupied territory, and no longer available to (Greek) Cyprus.
A new port needed to be built a few hundred metres west of the current port. The new port handles nearly all the sea-bound freight in Cyprus as well as over one million arrivals, and a similar number of departures from the passenger terminal on-site. The port has also served as an evacuation centre for Middle Eastern refugees, particularly EU citizens evacuating from Lebanon and Syria. The old port has been converted into a marina.

This question was written by Phoenix Rising Team member 1nn1.