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Historical Geography Trivia Quiz

Times change and so do the names of cities and countries. Here are the names of some former place names around the world. What are they called now?

A multiple-choice quiz by newfangle. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
newfangle

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
191,316

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
12173

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 146 (7/10), Guest 72 (7/10), Guest 101 (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Once called Byzantium, this city went by another well-known name before becoming what it is today. What is the present name of the city? Hint

Athens

Magdalena

Bratislava

Istanbul

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Question 2 of 10

2. A line from the They Might Be Giants song "Istanbul (not Constantinople)" taught me that this city was once called New Amsterdam. What city am I referring to? Hint

Boston

New York

Hartford

Wilmington

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Question 3 of 10

3. I first learned about Saigon in the Paul Hardcastle song - 19. "In World War II the average age of the combat soldier was 26... In Vietnam he was 19". What is Saigon called today?
Hint

Seoul

Phnom Penh

Mao Tse Tung City

Ho Chi Minh City

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Question 4 of 10

4. Famed for clothing made from the ultra-soft hair of goats' bellies, the Anatolian city of Angora is now known by what name? Hint

Artrura

Ankara

Angore

Angora

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Question 5 of 10

5. This country, famous for tea, was once known as Ceylon. What is it called now? Hint

India

Maldives

Sri Lanka

Madagascar

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Question 6 of 10

6. The Canadian city of York no longer exists. What is it called today? Hint

Hamilton

Vancouver

Toronto

Ottawa

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Question 7 of 10

7. Many references in ancient history point to the Kingdom of Persia. What is the current name of this country? Hint

Iraq

Iran

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

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Question 8 of 10

8. This Scandinavian capital city changed its name to Christiania and then back to its original name of...what? Which city am I looking for? Hint

Helsinki

Copenhagen

Gothenburg

Oslo

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Question 9 of 10

9. The name Danzig is no longer used for this European city. What is Danzig now called? Hint

St. Petersburg

Stalag

Gdansk

Moscow

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Question 10 of 10

10. The city of Reval in the north of Europe now goes by a new name. What is this city called today? Hint

Riga

Minsk

Vilnius

Tallinn

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 20 2024 : Guest 146: 7/10
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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Once called Byzantium, this city went by another well-known name before becoming what it is today. What is the present name of the city?

Answer: Istanbul

Known as Constantinople by Westerners until 1930, Istanbul was also known as Byzantium in ancient times.

2. A line from the They Might Be Giants song "Istanbul (not Constantinople)" taught me that this city was once called New Amsterdam. What city am I referring to?

Answer: New York

Officially termed the City of New York, it is more commonly referred to as New York City and more affectionately called "The Big Apple".

3. I first learned about Saigon in the Paul Hardcastle song - 19. "In World War II the average age of the combat soldier was 26... In Vietnam he was 19". What is Saigon called today?

Answer: Ho Chi Minh City

After surrendering in 1975, the Vietnamese city of Saigon was renamed, honouring the late North Vietnamese president.

4. Famed for clothing made from the ultra-soft hair of goats' bellies, the Anatolian city of Angora is now known by what name?

Answer: Ankara

The home of angora goats, this is Turkey's capital city.

5. This country, famous for tea, was once known as Ceylon. What is it called now?

Answer: Sri Lanka

Ceylon became a republic in 1972 and underwent a name change to Sri Lanka, which means "splendid thing".

6. The Canadian city of York no longer exists. What is it called today?

Answer: Toronto

In 1834, York changed its name back to Toronto, a Native Indian word for "place of meeting". Today, regions of the city pay homage to the former name which include East York and North York.

7. Many references in ancient history point to the Kingdom of Persia. What is the current name of this country?

Answer: Iran

The story of Aladdin is set in Persia

8. This Scandinavian capital city changed its name to Christiania and then back to its original name of...what? Which city am I looking for?

Answer: Oslo

Founded in 1048, the city of Oslo was destroyed by fire in 1624. It was rebuilt under the guidance of King Christian IV of Norway and as such, named Christiania (later Kristiania). In 1924, the city was restored to its original name of Oslo.

9. The name Danzig is no longer used for this European city. What is Danzig now called?

Answer: Gdansk

Meaning disambiguation, Gdansk was Poland's largest city until 1770. The name Danzig was applied by the Germans until WWII.

10. The city of Reval in the north of Europe now goes by a new name. What is this city called today?

Answer: Tallinn

Tallinn has seen many attacks and pillages over the centuries, particularly in medieval times where it was discovered to be rich in salt. The Old Town survived the huge bombings of WWII and was added to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list in 1997.

Source: Author newfangle

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor minch before going online.
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