Fire In the Belly: PR's Geographical Bucket List Quiz

Answer: Istanbul

Istanbul was known as Byzantium (or Byzantion) from 657BC, It then became Constantinople in 324AD. Its modern name of Istanbul was the Turkish name used alongside the Roman Constantinople.
I have always longed to go to Istanbul, It was a meeting point for the crusaders as they gathered to move into the East on the way to Acre and Jerusalem. I can imagine treading in the footsteps of people like Richard the Lionheart and Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Istanbul links Europe and Asia and has a rich cultural legacy of many ethnic influences.

This question was created by Phoenix Rising member smpdit

Answer: A glass bridge

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is one of several national parks within Hunan's Wulingyuan Scenic Area. The park is famous for its numerous quartz-sandstone pillars that inspired the Hallelujah Mountains in James Cameron's "Avatar" (2009). Its mountain peaks are often shrouded in mists, lending an aura of other-worldliness to the area.

A glass bridge spanning 430 metres (1410 ft) across the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon at a height of 300 metres (984 ft) is said to be the highest and longest glass bridge in the world. It was opened in August 2016 and offers a panoramic view of the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon.

This question was created by Phoenix Rising member purelyqing.

Answer: The world's first ice hotel

The now world famous ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi first opened in 1990, and has been constructed each year since between the months of December and April. The hotel, furniture, and decorations are designed and fashioned anew every year by invited artists out of snow and ice (or "snice") from the Torne River.

For perhaps the most famous hot springs and travertine terraces, look up Pamukkale in Turkey. Strokkur geyser is in Iceland, though it's not on an annual schedule.

This question was created by Phoenix Rising member JCSon, who imagines himself sitting in an ice chair drinking from an ice glass under an ice chandelier in this fascinating ice hotel.

Answer: Sapporo

Sapporo has the ideal snowy climate for snow sculptures with an average snowfall of 6m, one of the highest metropolitan areas in the world despite its low latitudes.

Started in 1950, by high school students, the Sapporo Snow Festival attracts over two million international visitors per year. The sculptures are made in Odori Park in the central city area.

This question was created by Phoenix Rising member 1nn1 who cannot visit Japan often enough but has never made it there in winter.

Answer: Atlanta (1996) - Summer Olympiad XXVI

The 1996 Atlanta Olympics included more than 10,000 athletes from 197 countries. Interestingly the 1996 Summer Games were the first since 1924 to be held in a different year than the Winter Games. Several iconic athletes including Michael Johnson and Carl Lewis won gold medals at the 1996 Olympic Games. I have always wanted to attend a Summer Olympic Games but unfortunately I was too young when the Los Angeles and Atlanta games were in the United States.

This question was contributed by Phoenix Rising team member Triviaballer

Answer: Shinto

Located near Mount Heng in Hunyuan County, Datong City, Shanxi ("West of the Mountains") province, in north central China. this temple is built 75 meters above ground level and is built into the cliff face itself. The 1500 year old wooden structure is supported by oak crossbeams plugged into holes chiseled into the cliff. There is a large tattoo in the side of the cliff adjacent to the temple which translates as "spectacular".

Shinto is a Japanese based religion with no ties to China. The other three all play an important role in China's history. The monastery is unusual in that the sculptures of Sakyamuni, Confucius, and Lao-Tzu appear together. These are the founders of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism, respectively. There are 80 other sculptures made from bronze, iron, terracotta, and stone. All are very life like. Furthermore, the architecture has Buddhist elements and the placement of the temple follows the Taoist principle of no noises. From its upper reaches all noises drop away.

This question was contributed by team member tazman6619 and 1nn1.

Answer: Leticia

The city of Leticia, Colombia lies on the bank of the Amazon River and it borders Brazil and Peru in a location known as Tres Fronteras. The city's location on the Amazon River has allowed it to emerge as one of the country's primary shipping points. Leticia's status as a city within Colombia wasn't formally decided until 1934 when the League of Nations demarcated boundaries between Colombia and Peru. I have always wanted to do an Amazon River cruise to visit cities like Leticia, Manaus, and Iquitos and see unique wildlife along the way.

This question was contributed by Phoenix Rising team member Triviaballer.

Answer: Rarotonga

The Cook Islands are 15 islands in two groups covering a mere 240 km2 (93 sq. m) over a portion of the Pacific Ocean covering two million km2

Rarotonga is the main island with the international airport, parliament and over 10 000 of the 15 000 people that comprise the population of the Cook Islands.

Tourism is the main industry, which is centred around its tropical charms and unique cuisine which is grounded in fish, tropical fruit and coconut. Black Pearl is associated with the Cook Islands.

There are many islands named after Captain James Cook including the Cook Islands themselves but there is no Little Cook Island.

Tahiti is part of nearby French Polynesia

In Lampung, the Indonesian province, Krakatoa is a volcanic island located in the Sunda Strait near the islands of Sumatra and Java

Question contributed by 1nn1 who despite being only a 6.5 hour flight from the Cook Islands has never been but really wants to go.

Answer: Palau

There aren't very many places in the world where you can snorkel with thousands of non-stinging jellyfish. But fans of the hit American television series "Survivor" might remember castaways enjoying a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience doing just that.

Jellyfish Lake is a marine lake with stunning natural beauty and a unique ecosystem favorable to golden jellyfish swarms. Drought and the effects of El Niño put the population at risk and scientists and adventurous travelers fear the impact of long-term climate changes on the stability of the population and its ability to recover.

São Tomé and Príncipe is an island nation in the Atlantic Ocean and Seychelles is located in the Indian Ocean.

This question was created by Phoenix Rising member JCSon, who has been fantasizing about swimming with jellies since "Survivor: Palau".

Answer: Jiuzhaigou

Previously remote and inaccessible, Jiuzhaigou was gradually opened to tourism after China made it a national park in 1982. Its name is derived from the nine villages in its vicinity. Jiuzhaigou, situated at an elevation ranging from 2000 - 4700 metres (6500 - 14700 ft), is famed for its scenic landscape comprising lakes in various shades of turquoise, forests, and karst topography. The view is particularly beautiful in autumn when the leaves change colour. Access to the region is still difficult due to its remoteness but this has been improved somewhat by the opening of the Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport nearby in 2003. As Jiuzhaigou sees increasing numbers of tourists, visitor quotas have been introduced to minimise human impact on this stunning national park.

Târgu Jiu is a city in Romania; Jaipur is a city in India; Kyushu (literally "Nine Provinces") is an island of Japan.

This question was created by Phoenix Rising member purelyqing.