Still More World Cities Trivia Quiz

Answer: London

London, the capital city of England and the United Kingdom, has been around for about two millennia. London's history dates back to 43 AD when it was founded by the Romans and known as Londinium. After the Romans departed in the early 5th century, Londinium gradually declined. The city saw Viking raids in the 9th century but was later reclaimed by the Anglo-Saxons. In 1066, William the Conqueror's Norman forces defeated King Harold II at the Battle of Hastings and established Norman rule over England. London became a key center of Norman power and saw the construction of the Tower of London in 1078.

Today, London has continued to evolve as a global financial, cultural, and technological hub. Some landmarks in the city include the Palace of Westminster and the clock tower containing the bell Big Ben. Buckingham Palace is the home of the King, the Shard is a great place to get a view of the city, Westminster Abbey is an important site and one of the most important religious buildings in England.

Piccadilly Circus is a major intersection in London's West End. At the center of Piccadilly Circus stands the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain, a Victorian monument featuring a statue of Eros but often mistaken for Cupid. To many, there are similarities to New York's Times Square due to the many neon lights.

Answer: Seattle

Seattle is a major city located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is the largest city in the state of Washington and is found between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, with the Cascade Range to the east and the Olympic Mountains to the west. It is home to some of the world's most prominent technology companies, including Amazon, Boeing, and Microsoft.

The city is famous for its iconic Space Needle, which was built for the 1962 World's Fair and offers panoramic views of the city and surrounding areas. Other notable landmarks include Pike Place Market (where the fish tossing is a regular occurrence), the Seattle Great Wheel, and the historic Smith Tower. Art is also one of Seattle's strengths. In music, it is the birthplace of grunge rock with the band Nirvana. Dale Chihuly, the world-renowned glass artist, also calls Seattle home.

Answer: Rome

Rome, the capital city of Italy, has a rich history dating back over 2,000 years and is often referred to as the "Eternal City." Rome's history begins with the mythological (perhaps) founding by Romulus and Remus in 753 BC. It grew to become the center of the Roman Empire, one of the most powerful civilizations in history. The city's history encompasses periods of republic, monarchy, and empire, with iconic figures like Julius Caesar, Augustus, and Nero playing pivotal roles.

Rome is home to a vast number of historical sites and monuments, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These include the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, and the remains of the Roman Forum. The city's historic center is also a designated World Heritage Site. Also in the middle of the city is the city-state of the Vatican City, a country dedicated to the Catholic church. St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel, with Michelangelo's famous ceiling, are major attractions within the Vatican.

Answer: Cape Town

Despite having the word "town" in the name, Cape Town is a vibrant and diverse city located at the southwestern tip of South Africa (the Cape of Good Hope). It is the capital of the Western Cape Province. It is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, with a dramatic landscape that includes the iconic Table Mountain as its backdrop. The city is nestled between the mountain range and the Atlantic Ocean offering breathtaking views from atop the mountain.

In 1652, the Dutch East India Company established a refreshment station at the Cape under the command of Jan van Riebeeck. This station later developed into the city of Cape Town. It had previously been inhabited by the indigenous Khoikhoi and San people, nomadic African tribes. The city fell under British rule during the Napoleonic Wars. Briefly returned to the Dutch for three years, it was an important part of British colonialism. Today, both British and Dutch influences can be felt all over.

Located in Table Bay, Robben Island is a symbol of South Africa's history and struggle against apartheid. It was once a prison where political activists, including Nelson Mandela, were held. Today, it serves as both a museum and a constant reminder that the racism of the past cannot be allowed to return today.

Answer: Perth

Perth is a vibrant and picturesque city located on the southwestern coast of Australia. As the capital city of the state of Western Australia, Perth is known for its stunning natural landscapes, thriving cultural scene, and high quality of life. Straddling the banks of the Swan River, Perth is one of the most isolated major cities in the world, with vast expanses of desert to the east and the Indian Ocean to the west.

Perth's economy is diverse and driven by industries such as mining, resources, oil and gas, technology, and finance. Western Australia is rich in natural resources, contributing significantly to the state's economic prosperity ever since gold was discovered in nearby Kalgoorlie in 1893. Perth consistently ranks high in global quality of life surveys due to its excellent healthcare, education, and overall livability.

Answer: Kyoto

Kyoto is a historic city located in the Kansai region of Japan, known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning temples and shrines, traditional architecture, and beautiful natural surroundings. Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over a thousand years, from 794 to 1868, during a period known as the Heian period. It served as the imperial capital and the center of Japanese culture and politics. As a result, the city is steeped in history and has preserved many elements of its ancient past.

Kyoto is famous for its numerous temples and shrines, each with its own unique architectural style and cultural significance. Some of the most renowned ones include Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion - pictured), Ginkaku-ji (the Silver Pavilion), Fushimi Inari Taisha (known for its thousands of red torii gates), and Kiyomizu-dera. It is also home to some exquisite Japanese gardens, many of which are attached to the aforementioned shrines.

Answer: St. Louis

St. Louis is a major city located in the state of Missouri. Today's city was founded in 1764 by French fur traders and named after King Louis IX of France. It played a significant role in the westward expansion of the United States in the 19th century, serving as a vital trading hub and gateway to the American frontier.

One of the most recognizable symbols of St. Louis is the Gateway Arch, a 192-meter stainless steel monument located along the Mississippi River. It was designed by Eero Saarinen to symbolize the city's role as the "Gateway to the West." Visitors can take an elevator to the top for panoramic views of the city. In addition to that, St. Louis has other notable landmarks such as the Old Courthouse, where the Dred Scott case was heard, and the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, known for its stunning mosaics.

Answer: Mumbai

Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is one of India's largest and most influential cities. It is located on the western coast of India on the Arabian Sea. It was originally inhabited by indigenous communities before being colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century. In 1661, the Portuguese ceded the territory to the British Crown as part of the dowry of Catherine of Braganza when she married King Charles II of England. The city was later named Bombay and served as an important British trading post.

In 1995, the city's name was officially changed from Bombay to Mumbai. This name change was part of a larger movement to replace colonial-era names with names that had more historical and cultural significance to the region. Mumbai is often referred to as the "Bollywood" capital of India due to its significant role in the Indian film industry. Bollywood produces a vast number of Hindi-language films each year, making it one of the largest film industries in the world.

Mumbai is characterized by stark economic disparities, with extreme wealth juxtaposed with widespread poverty. Dharavi, one of Asia's largest slums, is located in Mumbai and highlights the city's socioeconomic contrasts. This can be seen in the picture.

Answer: Lima

Lima is the capital and largest city of Peru, situated on the central western coast of the country along the Pacific Ocean. Lima was founded by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro on January 18, 1535, as the "City of the Kings" (Ciudad de los Reyes). It became the capital of the Virreinato del Perú (Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru) and a center of Spanish colonial rule in South America.

Some things to see include the Plaza de Armas, which is surrounded by historic government buildings and the Lima Cathedral. Other landmarks include the Huaca Pucllana archaeological site, the Park of the Reserve with its Magic Water Circuit, and the modern residential buildings along the cliffs of Miraflores.

Lima sits along the Atacama Desert, one of the driest deserts in the world. The desert climate of Lima is characterized by minimal rainfall and high humidity, which is influenced by the cold Humboldt Current in the Pacific Ocean. There is less than two inches of rain per year on the coast of Peru. Water comes from the rivers that flow from the mountains through the desert to the sea.

Answer: Halifax

Halifax is the capital city of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and the largest city in Atlantic Canada. Halifax is located on the east coast of Canada, situated on the Halifax Peninsula, which extends into the Atlantic Ocean. It is known for its natural harbour, one of the world's largest, which has played a crucial role in its history as a major port city. It was founded in 1749 by British colonists.

The Halifax Explosion of 1917 is still one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history (and, at the time, the largest man-made explosion). During World War I, the harbour was filled with warships carrying explosives and munitions. The SS Imo, a Norwegian ship, was leaving the harbor and struck SS Mont-Blanc, a French cargo ship. The Mont Blanc had a manifest of highly combustible and explosive cargo which exploded about 20 minutes after the collision. About two thousand people died and much of the city was destroyed.