Earth From Below Trivia Quiz

Answer: Israel and Jordan

In addition to containing the world's lowest elevation, the Dead Sea is also one of the saltiest bodies of water on Earth with 34.2% salinity. The Jordan River is the primary water source flowing into the Dead Sea. For perspective, the Dead Sea is about as far below sea level as the Rock of Gibraltar is above sea level.

Answer: Jericho

Jericho is located in the West Bank near the Jordan River. Control of the city has switched hands several times throughout history with Jordan, Israel, and Palestine all exerting control over the city in the second half of the 20th century.

Answer: Caspian Sea

With a surface area of over 143,000 square miles, the Caspian Sea is by far the largest inland body of water on Earth. More than 130 rivers including the Volga, Ural, and Kura flow into the Caspian Sea. The Caspian Sea contains three distinct regions with the southern portion being the deepest at 3,300 feet.

Answer: Death Valley

In addition to containing the lowest point in North America, Death Valley is also considered to be one of the hottest places on Earth. Interestingly, Badwater Basin is located only 85 miles from Mount Whitney which is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14,505 feet.

Answer: Netherlands

The Netherlands actually means 'low country'. Only about 50% of the land area of the Netherlands is at an elevation above one meter. The highest point of the Netherlands is about 1,056 feet above sea level.

Answer: Lake Eyre

Lake Eyre is also the largest lake in Australia when it fills, which can occur in years of heavy rainfall. The lake is named after the Englishman Edward John Eyre who in 1840 was the first European to see it.

Answer: Lake Assal

In addition to having an extremely low elevation, Lake Assal is also one of the saltiest lakes on Earth with a salinity of 34.8%. Other locales in Africa that are well below sea level include the Qattara Depression in Egypt at 436 feet below sea level and the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia at 410 feet below sea level.

Answer: Lake Enriquillo

Lake Enriquillo is also unique in that it is a saltwater lake that is inhabited by crocodiles. The lake actually had extensive flooding in December 2011 that caused two of its islands to become completely submerged.

Answer: Georgetown, Guyana

Georgetown was established in 1781 by the French, and it was also colonized by the Dutch and finally the English in the late 18th century. The city was renamed on April 29, 1812 in honor of King George III. Since Georgetown is prone to flooding, a long sea wall has been built to mitigate this risk.

Answer: Holme Fen

Holme Fen is a part of the Fens which comprises an area of 1,500 square miles in the counties of Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk. The cathedrals of Ely, Ramsey, Crowland, Thorney, and Peterborough are located in the Fens, which gives rise to the area's nickname of the "Holy Land of the English".