Exploring North American Peninsulas Quiz

Sigguup Nunaa, also called Nunavik Peninsula in Greenland, is surrounded by Baffin Bay on the northwest coast of the island; its area in size has never been determined! The rocks and sediments that comprise the peninsula date back as far as 145 million years ago, and separate the Uummannaq Fjord area in the southeast and the Upernavik Archipelago in the north.

The peninsula is mostly uninhabited. Nearby settlements are found on the islands of the Upernavik Archipelago and south on the Ukkusissat Peninsula. In spite of its remote location, tourists can participate in whale, bird, and seal watching, and there is always the possibility that polar bears are nearby. Hiking paths and boat tours are available as well.

The Labrador Peninsula has an area of 1,400,000 km2 (541,000 sq mi), and consists of all of the Labrador portion of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, and part of Quebec. Almost entirely covered by the Canadian Shield, which is one of the world's richest mineral ore regions, it contains many lakes and rivers.

Tourists to the area want to be sure to visit the Torngat Mountains National Park, which is the largest on the Atlantic side of Canada. They can see many animal species, such as caribou, black bears, and Labrador wolves, and participate in a variety of activities, including mountain climbing, stargazing, hiking, and kayaking.

The Gaspe Peninsula is located in the southeastern area of the province of Quebec, and covers an area of about 40,000 km2 (15,400 sq miles). Approximately 130,000 people live there - mostly along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and St. Lawrence River - making a living in the fishing, agriculture, forestry, and tourism industries.

A very popular tourist destination, there are many sights to enjoy here. There are several national parks, including the Forillon National Park, where whale watching is a popular pastime. The Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé National Park was created in 1985 to protect a migratory bird sanctuary on nearby Bonadventure Island. Visitors can also see the Pointe-à-la-Renommée Lighthouse and the Musée de la Gaspésie, which celebrate the area's maritime history.

The Florida Peninsula is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the west. Covering an area of about 108,984 km2 (42,079 sq miles), the peninsula includes much of the state of Florida. Interestingly, the bedrock that serves as the foundation for the peninsula is believed to have formed about 500 million years ago as part of the current continent of Africa!

Tourists to the Peninsula State have a wide variety of places to visit. The beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, like Navarre Beach and Destin, feature beautiful white sand. On the Atlantic side, Daytona Beach is known for its sunny weather and the Daytona International Speedway. There is also a lot of biodiversity to enjoy, like the Florida Everglades and the Apalacicola National Forest - but watch out for the alligators!

The Guanahacabibes Peninsula is located on the westernmost point point of Cuba, and has an area of 398 km2 (153 sq mi). It doesn't have a very large population, as it is located in the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and is prone to experiencing violent hurricanes.

It is an important area for its spiny lobster and red snapper fishing. In 1987 it was given the distinction of being a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which attempts to balance the biological diversity of a region with human sustainable activities. Tourists to the area can see 172 different bird species, some endemic and other migratory, four species of marine turtles, a tropical jungle, and coral reefs.

Wow! There's a lot to see on the Yucatan Peninsula, which has an area of about 197,600 km2 (76,300 sq miles), and includes parts of the countries of Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. While some sources state that North America only includes the countries of Canada, the United States, and Mexico, others also include the countries that are commonly considered to be part of Central America. The peninsula is located on the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.

Beautiful white sandy beaches, such as Playa Delfines and Akumal Beach, are found on the Yucatan, as well as tropical rain forests and Mayan ruins, like Chichen Itza and Tulum. The area is riddled with cenotes, sinkholes that the Mayans thought were entryways into the underworld; they are popular swimming destinations. Calakmul Biosphere Reserve is a good place to see jaguars, pumas, spider monkeys, toucans, and ocelots, to name a few. Along with tourism, logging and fishing are important industries; oil has also been discovered in some areas. Merida is the largest city.

The Baja California Peninsula is about 143,390 km2 (55,360 sq miles), and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California. Located in the Mexican state of Baja California, the creation of the peninsula began about 15 million years ago when it began separating from the North American Plate. It is an area that has four main deserts and several mountain ranges, some with fertile agricultural valleys.

Tourists come to the Baja California Peninsula for a variety of activities. These can include whale and sea lion watching and sports fishing around the southern tip. It is also interesting to explore the different cultures of the indigenous groups that live in the area. And, of course, if relaxation is all that is needed, the beaches around Cabo San Lucas are amazing!

The Alaska Peninsula, the largest in the United States, measures 1,723,337 km2 (665,384 sq miles). Bordering on the Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea, most of Alaska's 130 active volcanoes are located there!

It's definitely a place for nature enthusiasts, featuring the Kenai Fjords National Park and the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. There is hiking, biking, fishing, and all kinds of animals to watch, such as caribou, moose, and seals, along with brown and black bears that are attracted to the runs of sockeye salmon. Several Native American communities are located on the Alaska Peninsula; the people mostly fish for a living.

As you may have expected, Seward Peninsula is named after William Seward, the Secretary of State who negotiated the purchase of Alaska from Russia during the Lincoln Administration. Jutting out into the Bering Sea, and covering 53,400 km2 (20,600 sq miles), it is part of what is left of the Bering Land Bridge that disappeared sometime around 13,000-11,000 years ago.

Today it is across the Bering Strait from the Chakotka Peninsula in Siberia, Russia. Don't forget to visit the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, a popular destination for hunting, fishing, camping, and bird watching. The largest town on the peninsula is Nome, known for its Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

The Melville Peninsula, with an area of 62564 km2 (24,156 sq miles), is located in Nunavut, Canada. It was named after Viscount Melville, First Sea Lord of the Admiralty in the late 1700s and early 1800s in England, by explorer William Parry. Several Iglulingmuit communities can be found there. On a nearby island there is an airport in Igloolik that provides transportation for tourists.

During the fall, the Melville Peninsula is considered to be one of the best places to watch the polar bear migration. It is also possible to see large herds of caribou there. In the summer months, the area is inhabited by migratory birds. Hunting, fishing, and hiking are popular pastimes, however, the weather is described as being a bit unpredictable.