Crossing Canada [2] Trivia Quiz

Answer: Vancouver

Built in 1986 as a green, cultural center in Vancouver's historic Chinatown, the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is reflective of actual Chinese gardens overseas, surely enough taking in various different types of plants and philosophies (including feng shui) in its space.

It opened shortly before Vancouver held Expo 86. Vancouver's Chinatown is one of the most built-up in all of Canada; the large Asian population, made from immigrants crossing the Pacific and settling in the region, contribute to the city's great multiculturalism.

It is, fortunately, a National Historic Site of Canada.

Answer: Watson Lake

Closer to British Columbia than most of the rest of the Yukon Territory, Watson Lake was once bustling, especially in the time of the gold rushes of the Yukon. It has since been used for mining and logging in the area. It's also home to some of the best views of the Northern Lights anywhere in Canada-- a local landmark acts as an official center for the Aurora. Perhaps the most interesting local find is the Sign Post Forest. First started in 1942, this collection has amassed over one hundred thousand unique signs from all around the world, often pointing in the direction of their original spots.

The forest is several acres large to accommodate the massive amount. It can be found on the Alaska Highway.

Answer: Lake Louise

Lake Louise is found up in the Rockies near the British Columbia border (though it's still in Alberta). Found at the base of the Victoria Glacier, the crystal-clear lake was formed by glacial drift, creating a beautiful panorama high up in the mountains.

In the early days of the Trans-Canada Railway, Banff was chosen to be a resort destination and, with the location becoming a National Park, it made sense for it to exude luxury; on the shores of the lake, one can spend a pretty penny to stay at the Banff Springs Hotel or the Chateau Lake Louise-- both are regal to say the least.

Answer: Auyuittuq National Park

Auyuittuq, referring to the Inuit word for 'The Land That Never Melts' is almost sublime in its awe-inspiring beauty. To get there you need to take a boat or plane, and only during the right seasons-- it's so remote that there's not really any way to get there from most of Canada. Even Iqaluit, Nunavut's capital, is very far. Established as a National Park in 1976, Auyuittuq is home to Mount Thor, the mountain with the tallest vertical drop in the world, stretching unbroken for one and a quarter kilometers. Positively frightening. For safety reasons, very few attempts to rappel down the side have occurred; some have failed.

Answer: Polar bears

Cochrane, Ontario, farther north than most of the population of the province, is found between Timmins and Moosonee (to the far north near James Bay). Originally an Aboriginal settlement, Cochrane became populated by both French and English speakers and, with its spot on Highway 11, it's a semi-frequented stop for passers-through.

At some points in the year though, it also acts as the home to the Toronto Zoo's polar bears; habitats and landmarks can be found throughout the city. While it's not as far north as polar bears can typically be seen, the cold climate and natural environment provides for a suitable, temporary residence in the off-season.

It's also the hometown of Tim Horton, and if you're Canadian you know the name. ;)

Answer: Point Pelee

Although all of these locations are extreme points of Canada, Point Pelee reaches the furthest south; it's found in (go figure) Point Pelee National Park in Southwestern Ontario, moments away from the U.S. border. Originally created by receding glaciers a long, long, long time ago, it's now a wetland and, technically, the southernmost point in the country. Nonetheless, a lengthy boardwalk will take you as far south as you can go...that's if you want to walk through the humidity in the warmer months.

The park was formed in the 1910s and became a National Park in 1987.

Answer: Notre Dame Basilica

Created in Old Montreal to accommodate the growing population of this major French-speaking city, the Gothic Revival-inspired Notre Dame Basilica was erected over the course of six years in the 1820s by Irish-American (and Protestant) architect James O'Donnell. Oddly, his body is the only one inside the crypt; he converted to Catholicism to be able to use his own work as a final resting place. Nonetheless, the religious structure has been the site of many famous funerals (including hockey player Maurice Richard and former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau) and weddings (including French language singer Celine Dion).

The church became a National Historic Site in 1989 and it is known for its elaborate, stunning stained glass features.

Answer: A hotel

The Chateau Frontenac was always built with accommodations in mind. Sitting atop Quebec City's Old Town, it's one of the most dominant sights in all of this Quebec capital. Like the Chateau Lake Louise, Frontenac was built at a time when the railway justified the addition of luxury hotels across Canada, and this one's a beauty; it's housed Presidents, royalty, movie stars, and more. Overlooking the St. Lawrence River, a statue of French explorer Samuel de Champlain stands in a plaza in front.

Answer: The sinking of the Titanic

Fairview Lawn Cemetery, found in Halifax, is home to ten dozen individual grave markers indicating bodies returned from the Atlantic after the sinking of the Titanic in 1912; many more, obviously, perished at sea. The city buried them shortly after their arrival, unable to identify about thirty percent of the bodies. Amongst them, oddly enough, was a man named J. Dawson, though ship documents determined that his first name was Joseph-- not Jack.

The cemetery also contains bodies from the Halifax Harbour explosion in 1917, the largest man-made explosion to that date.

Answer: Red Bay

There's not much to see or do in Red Bay, but if you're into pirates it's a bit of a treat (though it's out of the way). Very few people live as far northeast as Labrador, but Red Bay sits near the edge of the Atlantic, closer to Newfoundland than anywhere else.

There are some majestic red cliffs, a small community of houses, and archaeological sites (made a National Heritage Site in 2013) but the real intrigue comes from the alleged buried treasure left behind by William Kidd in the late 17th century.

The town was also a thriving whaling station...first populated by the Basques going onto half a millennium ago.