The Midwest - Great Places to Visit Quiz

Answer: In 2009, plans to paint the building gold were announced.

In February 2009, the Sears Tower owners, a group of New York investors, announced plans to paint the building silver (not gold) at a cost of $50 million to emphasize environmental advances used in the building.

The building was designed to be made taller, if needed. The Willis Group Holdings, Ltd., a London-based insurance broker, leased space in the building in 2009 and obtained naming rights. The name was changed to Willis Tower, but the Sears Tower name continued to be used.

Finally, the restrooms on the 103rd floor were the highest in-building bathrooms in the western hemisphere in 2009.

[Question dedicated to Sheriffmarge and Sak57]

Answer: The sand makes sounds when put under pressure.

Sand has to be just the right size, have certain compositions, and be in the right humidity range to 'sing'. Sand can make barking and whistling sounds, as well as loud booms in some cases.

There is a large variety of habitats in the park. Over 350 species of birds have been observed there. The flora is one of the most diverse in the US National Park System. It is well worth a visit to anyone interested in nature.

[Question dedicated to ManicMandee and SixOfOne]

Answer: It could be dangerous to low flying planes

Planes flying in and out of nearby Burke Lakefront Airport caused the redesign of the museum tower. There were various financial difficulties during the building's construction, but they didn't limit the tower height. Any bedrock problems could have been solved by appropriately designed pilings and foundations. There is no evidence that the Mayor of Cleveland had any problem with the Hall of Fame's height during the construction.

Anyone interested in music would have a great time exploring the vast number of exhibits in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Elvis has NOT left the building!

[Question dedicated to Marianmargaret and Marianjoy]

Answer: 3,800 feet (1,158 meters)

It took three and a half years to build The Mackinac Bridge. It opened November 1, 1957 at a cost of almost $100 million. Five workers died during construction. Plans and discussion for a bridge spanning the Mackinac Straits go back to at least the 1880s. Over four million vehicles use the Mackinac Bridge every year. A trip across the bridge and to nearby Mackinac Island, another tourist attraction in the area, is well worth your time.

The Mackinac Bridge's main span is 3,800 feet. The Akashi-Kaikyo main span is 6,529 feet. The Golden Gate has a main span of 4,200 feet. The George Washington Bridge's main span measures 3,500 feet.

[Question dedicated to Timthered61 and Mariboo]

Answer: Water erosion via catastrophic floods over 13,000 years ago

The Dells rock formations were caused by massive floods released from Glacial Lake Wisconsin from 13,000-19,000 years ago. The meltwater lake was larger than the modern Great Salt Lake.

The Dells of the Wisconsin River and the surrounding area have been a summer tourist mecca for many years, with attractions for the nature lover and the recreational tourist. Visitors have taken river excursions to observe the protected cliff ecosystems. There is an extensive biota in the area, some of which can only be found in the Dells area. Various theme parks are also found in the Dells region.

[Question dedicated to Dragonfly516 and Iceprncsssss]

Answer: Extensive limestone cave systems

Although there is sedimentary rock in the BWCAW, there aren't any extensive limestone cave systems in the area. The other three types of rock formations are all present in the BWCAW.

Any canoeing or fishing enthusiast, nature lover, or rock hound will have a memorable trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, one of the most-visited wilderness areas in the United States.

[Question dedicated to 800m_Man and Mukpup]

Answer: Carving presidential heads on Mount Rushmore

Gutzon Borglum carved the heads of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt on the granite face of Mount Rushmore, beginning in 1927. He died in 1941 just before the completion of his creation. His son Lincoln finished the immortal monument.

Korczak Ziolkowski, who worked for Borglum in 1924, began carving the Crazy Horse Memorial in 1948. His family continued his work on the massive project.

The first Mitchell Corn Palace was built in 1892. The corn murals are normally redesigned and replaced each year with new themes.

Wall Drug, a shopping mall 'in the middle of nowhere', has been advertised on billboards world-wide. It has been featured in Time Magazine.

All of these attractions are reasons to visit South Dakota.

[Question suggested by Eunice2]

Answer: Land elevations vary from below sea-level to tall mountain peaks

There aren't many tall mountains in the Sand Hills, nor below sea-level depressions. The land elevations vary from 1,800 to 3,600 feet (550 to 1,100 meters) east to west. The area's population has been declining for years. The region receives less than 20 inches of rain a year on average, classing it as semi-arid, but it overlies the Ogallala Aquifer, which keeps the area supplied with water. The Sand Hills are a top cattle producing region, but farming in the area is poor due to the soil quality.

There are over 700 species of plants and more than 300 species of animals in the region. The Sand Hills are in the migratory path of many bird species. There are certainly many things for a nature lover to find and explore in the Sand Hills.

[Question dedicated to Slydog57 and Narada07]

Answer: In 2000, it was the population center of the United States

In 2000, the mean center of US population was established in Phelps County, Missouri. The population center has been predicted to move toward Kansas.

The geodetic center of North America was located in Osborne County, Kansas, until 1983 at the North American Datum of 1927 (NAD 27) at 39d 13'26.686"N 98d 32'30.506"W. All official North American land map measurements made from 1927 to 1983 were based on this point. Satellite positioning and remote sensing caused methodology changes beginning in 1984. The designation of a geographically fixed physical point used in official US map measurements has ceased.

The geographic center of the 48 contiguous states is approximately 4 miles (6 km) west of Lebanon, Kansas, at 39d 50'N 98d 35'W.

The geographic center of the 50 states is approximately 20 miles (34 km) north of Belle Fourche, South Dakota, at 44d 58'N 103d 46'W, another Midwest site.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey

[Question dedicated to HCP and Perdspidey]

Answer: Jefferson National Expansion Memorial

The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial was established on December 21, 1935. It commemorated the Louisiana Purchase, the first government west of the Mississippi River, and the Dred Scott slavery case. The iconic Gateway Arch was added to the memorial in the 1960s. It was designed by Eero Saarinen, who died before its completion. It was completed on October 28, 1965, and opened to the public on July 24, 1967.

The 630 feet (190 meter) tall, concrete and stainless steel arch is hollow. A unique tram system transports visitors to an observation deck at the top of the arch in four minutes. Two emergency stairways of 1076 steps each also provide access. Thirty-two small windows provide views of the Mississippi River, Cahokia Mounds, and Illinois to the east, and St. Louis and St. Louis County to the west. On a clear day, a viewer can see for more than 30 miles (48 kilometers).

The Gateway Arch and the other exhibits in the memorial are well worth a visit. This ends our tour of the Midwest. Come back often. There is a lot to see and do in the Midwest.

[Question contributed by Duchess716]