A Year-Long World-Wide Holiday Tour Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. While we are in a South American country where they speak Portuguese, we can walk on some famous beaches and enjoy Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. What country are we visiting?

Answer: Brazil

Brazil is the only one of these that matches the clues, although you might well be able to celebrate Carnival in some of the others. Carnival is celebrated on the day (or days) just before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent for Christians. The name of the festival literally means 'farewell meat', a reference to the fact that strict observance of Lent traditionally involved eating no meat for forty days.

2. In late March we can celebrate Persian New Year in Tehran, the capital city of a country that used to be known as Persia. What country do we need to go to for this?

Answer: Iran

Tehran is the capital of Iran, once called Persia. It is the country of origin of the Zoroastrian religion, over 3,000 years ago. They still celebrate Nowruz, or Persian New Year, on March 21, the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Traditional family celebrations include bonfires.

3. In what country, famous for its kangaroos and koalas, can we celebrate ANZAC Day if we manage to be there on April 25?

Answer: Australia

Sydney is Australia's largest city, and the one that is probably best known, but it is not the national capital - that is Canberra. While you are in Sydney, a ferry trip across the harbour to Taronga Park Zoo will give you a chance to see examples of the native animals - there are lots of other marsupials besides the kangaroo and the koala, not to mention the world's only monotremes (egg-laying mammals), and a whole lot of venomous spiders and snakes.

ANZAC Day is celebrated on the anniversary of the battle of Gallipoli, in which many Australian soldiers lost their lives. ANZAC is an acronym which stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

4. Where do we need to go if we want to visit the Great Wall and see the Dragon Boat Festival in Beijing?

Answer: China

Beijing is the capital of China, and within touring distance of the Great Wall of China. The Dragon Boat Festival is held in late May or early June. There are the famous Dragon Boat Races to watch, along with other traditional activities. For example, it is considered that you will have good luck for the coming year if you can make an egg stand on its end in the middle of the day, and competitions are held to see who can do so.

5. In this North American country you can visit the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, and the Everglades - three very different places. What country do we want to visit on July 4 to see the fireworks on Independence Day?

Answer: United States of America

The amazing gorge called the Grand Canyon is found in Arizona. Yellowstone National Park is in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. It contains many steam vents and geysers, including the geyser known as Old Faithful. The Everglades is a large wetland area in Florida.

6. On July 18, we might find ourselves celebrating Mandela Day if we visit an African country which has three capital cities and eleven national languages. Which country would this be?

Answer: South Africa

In South Africa the legislature (where laws are made) is in Cape Town, the executive capital (where everything is run from) is Pretoria, and the judicial capital (where the highest courts are) is in Bloemfontein. The national languages include English and Afrikaans, as well as nine of the tribal languages which are the most widely spoken and understood.

Mandela Day celebrates the efforts of Nelson Mandela to bring an end to the policy of apartheid. It is celebrated on his birthday.

7. Eid al-Fitr is the Islamic feast celebrating the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan. What country should we plan to visit if we want to celebrate Eid al-Fitr in Mecca, the city where the prophet Muhammad was born?

Answer: Saudi Arabia

Muhammad, the prophet responsible for establishing Islam, grew up in the Saudi Arabian city of Mecca, where he started preaching. The other Saudi Arabian city associated with his life is Medina, where he moved to avoid persecution.

8. In what North American country, the second largest in the world, is Thanksgiving celebrated on the second Monday in October? If we spend the weekend in the province of Quebec, we can practice our French at the same time!

Answer: Canada

As well as being the world's second-largest country (second to Russia), Canada shares the world's longest land border with its neighbour, the United States. If you visit Quebec on the second Monday in October, you will find yourself celebrating the Jour de l'Action de Grace, while the English-speaking parts of the country call it Thanksgiving.

9. If we time it right, we can celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights, in Mumbai after our visit to the Taj Mahal and a tour of Bollywood. What Asian country are we visiting now?

Answer: India

The Taj Mahal is one of the world's most famous tombs, built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jehan to hold the body of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Bollywood is the term used to refer to India's film industry.

Diwali is celebrated during five days in October or November. Celebrations involve lighting of oil lamps and colourful street lanterns to celebrate the triumph of good over evil in several Hindu stories. Fireworks are also commonly part of the fun.

10. Oslo is the capital city of a country nicknamed the Land of the Midnight Sun, and famous for its fjords. Where will we be able to spend four days celebrating Christmas?

Answer: Norway

December 23 is 'Little Christmas Eve', and the evening is the traditional time for decorating your Christmas tree. December 24 is Christmas Eve, with the day spent in preparing for Christmas, including the traditional Christmas dinner that evening. December 25 is celebrated with the immediate family, and December 26 with friends outside the family.

Source: Author looney_tunes

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor NatalieW before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

A Year-Long World-Wide Holiday Tour Quiz

Can you identify the country which we are visiting as we enjoy some holiday celebrations around the world?

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