Napoleon's Geography Lesson Trivia Quiz

Answer: Corsica

Corsica's beaches, mountains, and scenery make it a beautiful place. My native Corsica has had an interesting history, being controlled in ancient times by Carthage, Greece, and Rome. It was subsequently invaded by the Vandals, Visigoths, Saracens, and the Lombards.

In 756 the Frankish King, Pepin, gave it to the pope. From 1347-1729 Corsica was controlled by Genoa. My great-grandfather, Giuseppe, established a family home (Casa Buonaparte) in Ajaccio in 1682. At the time of my birth, my father, Carlo, was fighting in a guerrilla army in an attempt to free Corsica from the French, who purchased the island in 1770. Don't forget to visit my home and Ajaccio Cathedral while you are there!

Answer: Toulon

Toulon is a great place to visit if you like naval history. Sixty per cent of France's naval tonnage, including nuclear attack submarines and aircraft carriers are kept there. Me? Well, the navy was not my strong point, but I knew how to take advantage of a situation. I was the "ablest man in the room", but due to poor connections, could not gain a commission in the French military. Toulon, a French Mediterranean naval base, had been taken by the English. I was just twenty-four, and a lowly artillery officer, when I seized the opportunity, took over command of the unit when the officer in charge was wounded, rescued the city, and was made a brigadier general - finally someone noticed just how great I am!

Answer: Egypt

The city of Cairo, Egypt, proper is home to 7.9 million people; the entire urban area has a population of 14.8 million. It takes up an area of 104 square miles. I desperately wished to undermine the British navy, but our naval power was not yet sufficient! Instead, I proposed an expedition to Egypt, with the aim of disrupting England's trade with India. On July 21, 1798, we fought the Battle of the Pyramids and won against the Mamelukes! What will we ever do with this big rock they found near the Rosetta Branch of the Nile? And no, I would never allow my men to use the Sphinx for target practice!

Answer: Martinique

Martinique is the third largest island of the Lesser Antilles after Trinidad and Guadeloupe. It is a department of France today. Vive la difference! I am madly in love with this woman! Her young son, Eugene, brought us together. What a brave boy to tell me that he would rather die than give up his father's sword! Even though I was in charge of enforcing the private weapons ban, I let him keep it. Little did I know he would have such a fetching mother! She came to thank me - and the rest is history!

Answer: Rome

Of course, Rome is not only the largest city in Lazio, but also the largest one in Italy as well! Lazio is one of twenty administrative regions of Italy. I had to have an heir, n'est-ce pas? Unfortunately, Josephine was unable to produce one. How lucky I am to finally have a son, although I rarely am able to see him.

He lives with his mother, Marie Louise, and grandfather, Emperor Francis of Austria, in Schonbrunn Palace.

Answer: Raft in the Nieman

The Nieman River is the fourteenth longest European river, and forms part of the border between Lithuania and Belarus. It is a slow-flowing river, and is navigable for most of its 582 miles. Now I finally have an ally to assist me in controlling Central Europe, and help me fight against those Prussians. This might be just my ticket to conquer all of Europe!

Answer: Russia

Russia covers more than 1/8 of the earth's inhabited land. In addition it is the ninth most populated country. I am staying in a burned out church in Moscow. I had to admit it, but this wasn't my best plan. Who would have guessed that the Russians would burn everything, and cause me to have to run a lengthy supply line to my men.

Then they have the nerve to attack my supplies. I have to get back to France tout de suite before the news of this blunder reaches the public!

Answer: France

The Arc de Triomphe, in Paris, was built in 1806 to instill patriotism in the French people. It was the largest arch of triumph in existence until 1982 when an arch was built in Pyongyang. They made me King of Elba, although why they believe this will make me happy, I do not know.

It is a beautiful island off the coast of Italy, and I have a beautiful place to live. Several of my men are able to assist me in my rule of these people. But some day soon, I will be on one of the ships that constantly pass - back on my way to France and glory.

Answer: Atlantic

St. Helena was originally discovered by the Portuguese. It was taken over by the British, and used as a stopover for exploration ships. It is 1,100 miles from St. Helena east to Luanda, Angola, and 2,000 miles west to Brazil. The English have placed me on top of this "cursed rock" to live out the rest of my life. I wonder if they have put me in these conditions to hasten my departure from this world? Thank goodness for the Balcombe family, and especially Betsy, who has been very kind and tried to make me feel at home. I have been passing the days with my small retinue, dictating my memoirs, reading the paper, and gardening.

Answer: Vienna

Well, the composer maybe took some poetic license. The Danube might be blue away from the city, but it is a very turbulent river in some places, and with all the movement it rarely is transparent enough to be blue. That fool, Metternich, thinks he knows so much! He is going to restore order and the monarchy? Yes, Europe needs unity, but I can bring them that, with my laws and banking system, and strong leadership. Whatever will happen if he is allowed to control the changes?