Scintillating Slovakia Trivia Quiz

Answer: Pan-Slavic colors

Red, white and blue are said to represent freedom and revolutionary ideals - as such, they are used in many national flags around the world. There is no clear agreement as to when they were selected to represent the unity of Slavic people across international political boundaries, but the practice was clearly in place by the middle of the 19th century. Yugoslavia, a union of several Slavic nations that existed in various forms between 1918 and 1992, use the Pan-Slavic colors for its flag. Current Slavic countries with red, white and blue flags include Croatia, the Czech Republic, Serbia, Slovenia and Russia.

Answer: Mostly mountainous, with plains in the southwest

The western end of the Carpathian Mountains chain covers most of the northern part of Slovakia; the Leitha Mountains near Bratislava represent the only point of contact between the Carpathians and the Alps. The Carpathian mountains forma a large arc that extends from the Czech Republic (the western end) through Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Romania and Serbia. Most of the range lies in Romania, and is the setting for the castle of Bram Stoker's Dracula.

The southwestern part of the country is basically a plain, as is a part of the southeast.

Answer: Hungary

Slovakia's neighbors are Poland in the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, Austria to the southwest, and Czech Republic to the northwest. Its northernmost point is in the mountains on the border with Poland, near the town of Oravska Polhora.

The easternmost point is in the mountains near the point where Slovakia, Poland and Ukraine meet, and the westernmost point is near the town of Zahorska Ves, on the Morava River where it forms the border with Austria.

Answer: Average daily temperature is between -3 C (27 F) in winter and 20 C (68 F) in summer

Bratislava experiences winters cold enough for snow, and mild summers. The incorrect answers described a tropical climate, a polar climate, and a climate with no seasonal variation.

This kind of seasonal variation is typical of the region of Slovakia known as the Danube Lowland. Kosice, the nation's second-largest city located in the Eastern Slovak Lowland, is somewhat colder; in the basins at the foot of and between the mountains, temperatures average about 5 C (9 F) colder than the capital, and the mountains are significantly colder again.

Answer: Tatras Mountains

The Tatras Mountains form the border between Slovakia and Poland, and are the highest part of the Carpathian range. The Tatras can be further subdivided into the Western Tatras and the Eastern Tatras, which includes both the High Tatras and the Belianske Tatras.

The Low Tatras are a separate range lying somewhat to the south. The accessibility of these mountains makes them a popular winter sports area, with a number of resorts being developed to cater for tourists. A number of rare and endangered plant and animal species can be found in these mountains, including the Eurasian lynx and the Tatra chamois.

Answer: Gerlach Peak

While Slovakia was part of the Hapsburg monarchy, official surveyors decreed that Gerlach Peak was the second highest mountain of the Tatras. (Stay tuned to find out what came first.) In 1838, Ludwig Greiner made more accurate measurements showing that Gerlach Peak was indeed the highest, at 2,654 metres (8,710 ft), although his values were not widely accepted until duplicated by an Austrian Army survey in 1868.

The first confirmed ascent of Gerlach Peak was made in 1934, by Johann Still. The mountain is now considered one of the trickier climbs in the Carpathians, and only members of a club belonging to the Union Internationale des Associations d'Alpinisme are allowed to attempt it without a guide. The two most popular routes of ascent have had chains put up to assist climbers.

Answer: Solar observatory and weather station

Since 1940, tourists have been able to reach the top of Lomnicky peak by cable car from the town of Tatranska Lomnica, which has made it one of the more popular peaks to visit. Those who want to tackle the steep ascent can do so only if they engage a registered guide. Before the 19th century, and careful systematic surveying of the Tatras, Lomnicky Peak (then called 'Dedo', meaning Grandpa) was thought to be the highest in the range, but it is now considered the second highest, at 2,634 m (8,642 ft).

Answer: The film "Dracula"

Before any measurements were made, height was judged on visual impression, and Krivan was mightily impressive. It came to be seen as a symbol of the country, to the extent that some poets referred to Slovakians as 'the children of Krivan'. Surveys in 1793 identified nearby Lomnicky Peak as being higher; by the end of the 19th century Gerlach was crowned highest, with Lomnicky in second place, and Krivan third. Nevertheless, Krivan remains an iconic image due to its spectacular shape, and its relative ease of ascent, which led to its being selected for use on the 1, 2 and 5 euro cent coins.

Answer: Danube

The Danube is one of the major rivers of Europe. Starting in the Black Forest region of Germany, it travels for 2,872 km (1,785 mi) through ten countries before reaching its terminus at the Black Sea. The Vah is the longest river in Slovakia, flowing from the Tatra Mountains to the Danube.

The Hron is Slovakia's second-longest river, and also goes from the Tatras to the Danube. The Tisa, which runs through five countries, forms a very short (5 km or 3 mi) part of the border between Slovakia and Hungary.

Answer: The Bodrog

The Bodrog River is formed when the Ondava and Latorica Rivers come together in eastern Slovakia, and flows into Hungary near the Slovakian village of Streda nad Bodrogom, where it is the lowest point in the country with an elevation of 94m (308 ft).

The river continues through Hungary until it joins the Tisa in Tokaj, with an overall length of 67 km (42 mi), of which about a quarter is in Slovakia.