Heart of America Trivia Quiz

Answer: Wisconsin Dells

The word 'dells' is from the French 'dalles' for narrows. The Dells was at the margin of the continental glacier but was never covered by glacial ice sheets. It has been called the 'Driftless Area'. Rocks found in the area are over 500 million years old, pushed in by the glacier.

There is a five mile gorge with 100 foot cliffs that is a place of extreme beauty. Most of the area is protected by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and is not open to the general public. Boat rides are available to see parts of the area.

The town of Wisconsin Dells is a mecca for various theme parks unrelated to the Dells.

Answer: A process of oil extraction

Dictionaries define fracking as "a procedure of creating fractures in rocks and rock formations by injecting fluid into cracks to force them further open. The larger fissures allow more oil and gas to flow out of the formation and into the wellbore, from where it can be extracted". Although fracking is not unique to North Dakota, it has benefited by development of the techniques.

Fracking has an environmental impact and is the subject of frequent debates. Special sand is needed as an abrasive so the impact goes beyond just the fracking sites.

Answer: Illinois and Ohio

The Wabash begins near Fort Recovery in Mercer County, Ohio, then flows across Indiana westward, and then south to the Ohio River. In its 503 mile length, it passes through Lafayette, Vincennes, and Terre Haute. A dam has been built at Huntington, Indiana.

It forms the part of the boundary between Indiana and Illinois. The name is believed to have been derived from the French word 'Ouabache', meaning water over stones, as a part of the river has a limestone bottom.

Answer: Michigan

Upper and Lower Michigan is divided by Straits of Mackinac, and for many years was only accessible by ferry. The opening of the Mackinac Bridge in 1957 finally connected Upper and Lower Michigan. Residents of Upper Michigan have often felt that their needs have not been fully reflected by the government in Lansing. Proposals have been advanced for a new state called Superior.

Answer: French word meaning buffalo grounds

There was apparently a group of Trappist monks that lived in the area, as a literal translation of 'moines' is 'monks'. 'Mooyiiinkweena' is a Native American derogatory name applied to white settlers. Still another was that Fort Raccoon was ordered by an unknown bureaucrat in Washington to rename it Des Moines.

Des Moines is the center for politicians with ambitions to test themselves in the Iowa caucuses.

Answer: Corn Palace

Two previous versions of the Corn Palace were replaced in 1921 utilizing Russian-style onion domes and Moorish minarets, giving the Palace the distinctive appearance. Each year local artists redesign the exterior, using corn, corn leaves, and corn stalks so it will have a different appearance. It is a shrine to the agricultural heritage of South Dakota. Pictures are on sale for each year with the different designs.

The interior is a multipurpose facility. At times it has hosted high school basketball games, flea markets, and various festivals in Mitchell.

Answer: There are more than 10,000 lakes in Minnesota

Officially, there are 11,842 lakes, using ten acres as a minimum. Also, officially the state theme is "L'Étoile du Nord" or French for "Star of the North". Many names are duplicates. For instance, there are 200 Mud Lakes, 150 Long Lakes, and 120 Rice Lakes. The shorelines of all the lakes and rivers would be greater than the combined shorelines of California, Florida, and Hawaii.

Answer: Platte River

The Platte River was followed by major emigrant trails, including the Oregon, California, Mormon and Bozeman. Likewise, railroads and Interstate 80 follow the general path of the Platte. Along its basin are many small cities and towns. It runs 310 miles from Omaha, Nebraska to Colorado, and joins the North and South Platte Rivers.

The Platte itself is shallow, muddy, and meandering. For the most part it is not navigable with many low spots and small islands. The name comes from the French word for 'flat'.

Answer: Cleveland

Lorenzo Carter built a cabin on Cuyahoga River in 1796. The Village of Cleveland was incorporated as a village in 1814 and as a city in 1836. Despite swampy lowlands and harsh winters, its waterfront location benefited from development of the Ohio and Erie Canals. As time passed it became a railroad, shipping, and manufacturing area.

Answer: Kentucky

Wisconsin is on Iowa's northeast side, Minnesota on the north, and Missouri on the south. Also, Nebraska is on the west, South Dakota on the northwest, and Illinois on the east.