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Ride Alaska's Ferry System! Trivia Quiz

Hop Aboard! One way to explore the Last Frontier is to ride the state-run ferry system. So get off the roads and planes and instead take a ride on the wild side!

A multiple-choice quiz by alladra. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
alladra

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
275,779

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
438

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What is the southernmost point on Alaska's ferry system, also known as the Alaska Marine Highway System? Hint

Ketchikan, Alaska

Vancouver, British Columbia

Bellingham, Washington

Juneau, Alaska

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Question 2 of 10

2. So now the big journey on Alaska's ferry system is underway. Our next port is Ketchikan. The city boasts itself as having the world's largest collection of what? Hint

totem poles

seal fur

gold mining equipment

moose antlers

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Question 3 of 10

3. Juneau is not only a popular destination for the Alaska Marine Highway System, but for cruise ships who are said to be cruisin' what? Hint

Prince William Sound

College Fjord

the Inside Passage

Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve

4. Also in Southeast Alaska, the Alaska Marine Highway system meets up with the road system in Haines. Many travelers board the ferry at Haines and sail to nearby Skagway, which is considered the birthplace to what? Hint

The North Pacific Cannery

The Klondike Gold Rush

The Tlingit Indians

Alaska's commercial fishing fleet

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Question 5 of 10

5. Alaska's ferries are more than just a tourist attraction. The Alaska Marine Highway System also serves as a critical link offering transportation and shipping to communities that are not on the road system. How many ferry terminals are included? Hint

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Question 6 of 10

6. Southeast Alaska, also known as the Panhandle, isn't the only region serviced by the state's ferry system. Which four of these cities serve as ferry stops in South-central Alaska? Hint

Whittier, Anchorage, Seward, Homer

Whittier, Valdez, Cordova and Homer

Anchorage, Fairbanks, Seldovia, Cordova

Valdez, Homer, Juneau, Anchorage

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Question 7 of 10

7. Alaska's Marine Highway System covers around 3,500 miles. How many ships does it have in its fleet? Hint

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Question 8 of 10

8. What is the largest ferry included in the fleet of the Alaska Marine Highway System? Hint

M/V Tustumena

M/V Kennicott

M/V Malaspina

M/V Columbia

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Question 9 of 10

9. Columbia, Tustumena, Chenega, Malaspina, Aurora and LeConte are just a few of the ship names on the Alaska Marine Highway System. What are all of the current fleet's ships named after? Hint

Towns

Rivers

Mountain Peaks

Glaciers

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Question 10 of 10

10. As we reach the final part of our journey on the Alaska Marine Highway System, we are now headed west along the Aleutian Islands. After sailing through Kodiak, Chignik and Cold Bay, we are now approaching the westernmost terminal on the ferry system. What is it? Hint

St. Lawrence Island

Nunivak Island

Unalaska/Dutch Harbor

Attu Island

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What is the southernmost point on Alaska's ferry system, also known as the Alaska Marine Highway System?

Answer: Bellingham, Washington

Bellingham, Washington is about an hour and a half north of Seattle. Bellingham was added to Alaska Marine Highway System in 1967 as a direct link to the "Lower 48."

2. So now the big journey on Alaska's ferry system is underway. Our next port is Ketchikan. The city boasts itself as having the world's largest collection of what?

Answer: totem poles

Ketchikan is the southernmost major city in Alaska. Ketchikan is a rainy city-- averaging 15 feet of rain per year. The city thrives on its fishing industry as well as its Alaska Native culture. Ketchikan is 595 nautical miles from Bellingham, WA and it takes around 37 hours to sail the route.

3. Juneau is not only a popular destination for the Alaska Marine Highway System, but for cruise ships who are said to be cruisin' what?

Answer: the Inside Passage

Juneau is Alaska's state capital. It is the only state capital which cannot be reached by road. The city is located near the Mendenhall Glacier, where curious hikers can walk right up to the glacier's face. The Inside Passage was created as a safer sea shipping route from the "Lower 48" to Alaska because it is surrounded by mountains and sheltered from the dangerous, open waters of the North Pacific Ocean.

Answer: The Klondike Gold Rush

Skagway is also known as the "Gateway to the Klondike" and was the jumping off point for the Gold Rush of 1898. Skagway is located in the Upper Lynn Canal and is considered the northernmost point in Southeast Alaska, 80 air miles from Juneau and 110 road miles from Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada.

Answer: 32

The Alaska Marine Highway Systems has more than 3,500 miles of routes. It is part of the National Highway System and does receive federal funding. In September 2005, the Alaska Marine Highway was named an All-American Road by the Federal Highway Administration.

6. Southeast Alaska, also known as the Panhandle, isn't the only region serviced by the state's ferry system. Which four of these cities serve as ferry stops in South-central Alaska?

Answer: Whittier, Valdez, Cordova and Homer

The state's two largest cities, Anchorage and Fairbanks, are not on the ferry system. The closest ferry stop to Anchorage is Whittier, which is about 60 road miles southeast of Alaska's largest city. Fairbanks is located in the center of the state and is hundreds of miles from the coastline.

7. Alaska's Marine Highway System covers around 3,500 miles. How many ships does it have in its fleet?

Answer: 11

The M/V Fairweather and the M/V Chenega, are Fast Vehicle Ferries. The vessels were the first of this type to be built in the United States.

8. What is the largest ferry included in the fleet of the Alaska Marine Highway System?

Answer: M/V Columbia

M/V Columbia is 418 feet long and can hold 499 passengers as well as 134 vehicles.
It sports 103 cabins, a fine dining room, cafeteria, gift shop, cocktail lounge, solarium and forward observation lounge.
M/V Columbia was launched in 1974 from Seattle.

9. Columbia, Tustumena, Chenega, Malaspina, Aurora and LeConte are just a few of the ship names on the Alaska Marine Highway System. What are all of the current fleet's ships named after?

Answer: Glaciers

The Alaska Marine Highway System has been operating year-round since 1963. Although still years from statehood, Alaska's territorial government purchased the ferry system in 1951 from two Haines residents who started it in 1948.

Answer: Unalaska/Dutch Harbor

The Aleutian Islands and the Alaska Peninsula sweep more than 1500 miles from Cook Inlet toward Asia. This region sits atop the "Ring of Fire," a string of volcanoes along the Pacific Rim.

Source: Author alladra

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Bruyere before going online.
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