Fracturing Europe! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Italy

Italy is a country with the most fabulous architecture, cuisine and rural scenery. You have the classic divide between the ultra-modernity of urban lifestyles and ultra-traditional countryside life. Rome, the capital city, and particularly Florence, try to maintain both ways of Italian life. If you look at the layout of Rome, you have the modern conveniences such as inner city shopping, yet, you have the most spectacular architecture with sites such as the Coliseum and the Pantheon. Remember to make a wish at the Trevi fountain!

Answer: Oslo

Oslo, the Norwegian capital city, was formerly known as both Christiania and Kristiania. I wish to focus on the parliamentary building, the Storting. The building itself, which I find oddly intriguing, was designed in the 19th century by architect Emil Victor Langlet, from neighbouring Sweden. The building is famous for the statues of lions found surrounding it.

Answer: European union

The European Union, from a British perspective, is a cause of much debate. On one hand you have the euro-sceptics, who see the involvement of Britain in such a union is the first step on the slippery slope to a loss of heritage. The foundation of this argument is the European currency.

The British pound sterling is minted in Wales, UK, with the head of the monarch on one side. This brings some uniqueness and cultural heritage which, in the euro-sceptics point of view, would be lost if Britain adopted the euro. On the other hand we have the pro-euro British population.

Many of these people believe that British trade is better off for having a strong link with Europe and that adopting the euro will be better for tourism to the area due to the general strength of the British pound.

Answer: Volga

The river Volga is part of the unofficial border between the continent of Europe and the Asian mainland. The Volga is officially the longest river in Europe and is closely linked with the Ural mountain range. The Volga is an important drainage basin for the the majority of the western region of Russia.

Answer: Hungary

Hungary has a fascinating history and has an intriguing culture. Hungary is renowned for the excellence of the composers that it produced. Béla Bartók is one of the lesser known composers, but, a man who is known worldwide for his provocative compositions, Franz Liszt, is responsible for some of the most inspirational music of his time.

Answer: Great Britain

Great Britain is a part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Great Britain consists of Scotland, England and Wales and is found on the largest island in Europe. The monarchical history of Great Britain is, to my mind, one of the most fascinating in the world. Just a few royal tidbits, the longest reigning monarch was Queen Victoria, who reigned for 64 years between 1837 and 1901.

The shortest reign was that of Lady Jane Grey, who has gone down in history as the 'Nine Day Queen'.

Answer: Icelander

Icelanders are inhabitants of the second largest island in Europe, Iceland. Iceland is a country situated in the north Atlantic Ocean. It is geographically positioned in-between the Danish territory of Greenland and the United Kingdom. The country is mainly rural but has a fairly large capital city, Reykjavik. An impressive Icelandic feature are the many geysers found in the country.

This gives Iceland a huge outlet for the utilisation of geothermal power.

Answer: Eastern bloc

The countries, such as Poland, East Germany and Bulgaria, that were in this block of eastern European countries were also part of a group set up by the USSR. This was the Warsaw Pact and it was established to oppose the collaboration of countries that was NATO.

The Warsaw Pact obviously dissolved after the capitulation of the Soviet Union. The official end to the pact was held in Prague in 1991.

Answer: Baltic sea

The Baltic sea is a body of water found in northern Europe. This particular sea is partially covered by ice during the winter months, but, is still regarded as a successful tourist hot spot with many cruises around the area available. The Baltic forms Poland's only coastline and it is also one of two seas that surrounds Denmark - the other being the North sea.

Answer: Greece

Greece is another European country with a fascinating history and culture. Be it mythology or reality, Greece has something so enigmatic that people flock to the country in droves. An area of classical Greece that lives on even now is the sporting extravaganza that is the Olympic games, the modern version of which began in 1896 in Athens, Greece. The Olympics are scheduled for every four years and has done so since 1896, if you disclude the wartime periods of the 20th century. Places that have hosted it include London, Paris, Sydney and Seoul.

Thanks for playing this fractured quiz, I hope you enjoyed!