A Sheep Dip Across Europe Trivia Quiz

Answer: It was formed from melt water in an area excavated by a glacier

Glaciers apply a huge amount of force on the terrain in which they form. Abrasion and a freeze-thaw effect exerted by the glacial ice gradually excavates a hollow in the earth which may be referred to as a "cirque", or, in our case (Scotland), a "corrie". If the glacial ice then melts, the lake which forms is defined as a tarn.

Despite this specific definition, the term "tarn" can be used generally for lakes in the north of England.

Answer: Thames

Though there is some dispute over its exact location, the source of the two hundred-odd mile long Thames River is generally regarded to be at Thames Head in Gloucestershire. From there, the river flows east through or near major cities like Oxford, Reading and, of course, London, before making its final descent to the sea through Essex.

Historically, the Thames was rife with pollution, so much so that it was deemed "biologically dead" by environmental authorities in 1957. Despite this, a tremendous nationwide effort combined with new laws preventing the dumping of pollutants saw the Thames transformed into a veritable zoological paradise compared to its former state.

It might still appear dark and murky, particularly through London, but this is mainly as a result of sedimentary matter.

Answer: Seine

Swimming in Paris' river? We're in Seine. Insane. Mad. Get it? Emptying into the English Channel at Le Havre, the Seine flows for nearly five hundred miles through France to the Côte-d'Or department on the eastern side of the country. The river is prone to flooding, as has been seen on several occasions throughout history, most notably in 1910 after a period of very heavy rainfall.

Answer: Lake Como and Lake Maggiore

At only 46 km^2, Lake Lugano is often overshadowed by its larger neighbours, Lake Como (146 km^2) and Lake Maggiore (212 km^2). Lake Lugano is beautiful to look at and is surrounded by several mountains, including Monte Bre, Monte Generoso, and Monte San Giorgio, which was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003 on account of the huge number of fossils which had been found there.

These fossils mainly date from the Triassic period, which is important as the period when true mammals first appeared.

Answer: Umbria

Hugely historically significant, the castles that surround Trasimeno are in various states of repair (or disrepair). While most are in ruins, some of those that remain standing do so with structural support such as cables. Three islands dot the lake, with Isola Maggiore the only island with a permanent settlement. Trasimeno can be likened to the Caspian Sea in the sense that it takes in water but has no outflows.

Answer: Vltava

The Vltava (from the old Germanic meaning "wild water") is a 270 mile river which rises in the Bohemian Forest and is unusual in that it first travels in a south-easterly direction before making a sharp turn and travelling north. At the end of its northern journey, it bisects the Elbe River at right angles and so is classed as a tributary.

Answer: Croatia

One Lake Vrana is the largest Croatian lake, located in the region of Dalmatia. A diverse range of birds inhabit the area around the lake, leading it to be a protected area of the country (akin to a national park). The other Lake Vrana is located in Cres Island, a landmass in the Adriatic Sea. Though much smaller than the Dalmatian Vrana, it plays an important role in the lives of the island's inhabitants, supplying them with fresh water.

Answer: Albania and Montenegro

Lake Skadar is the largest lake on the Balkan Peninsula and lies just over 20 miles from the Adriatic Sea, into which it feeds via the River Buna. The lake is filled mainly via the Moraca River, which originates in Montenegro and passes through Podgorica (the country's capital).

This lake is popular for those looking for a relaxing holiday, but also for bird-watchers, since it is a large bird reserve and even has some of Europe's last remaining pelicans - Dalmatian pelicans, which are distinguished by their bright lower mandibles.

Answer: Ionian Sea

Once known in Greek mythology as the river of pain, the Acheron rises in the Epirus region near Ioannina before flowing for nearly forty miles to the Ionian Sea near the village of Ammoudia. Thankfully, nowadays the Acheron is a beautiful river, carving its way through gorges and providing life for a variety of plants and animals.

Answer: Gorky Reservoir

While Lake Como is only 146 km^2, the Gorky Reservoir is a massive 1591 km^2. The lake is formed by a hydroelectric dam on the Volga River and is named for the Russian Soviet author Maxim Gorky. Gorky also gave his name to the city of Nizhny Novgorod from 1932 to 1990.

This honour reflects the approval of Joseph Stalin for the works of Gorky. The relationship between Stalin and Gorky was largely amicable and Stalin was even a pall-bearer at Gorky's funeral in 1936.