GeoQuiz Sunday, December 11th, 2005

PREVIEW:

• United States Geography: Battle of Lake Erie...
• World Geography: Amazon River's Water Flow...
• Interesting Article: David vs. Billionaire Goliath

FACT: Did you know that Henry Waterman invented the elevator in 1850 to transport barrels of flour?

UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is a. Redwoods are needle-leaf conifers.

As you may expect, this week we are moving onto a new topic. Not only that, but neither is it a state nor an environmental study, as we have done in the past. This week, we're studying Lake Erie!

Lake Erie is the southernmost of the Great Lakes, its southern tip slightly south of Lake Michigan's south tip. It is the world's thirteenth largest natural lake, and has a 10,000 square mile surface area. It borders Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Michigan, and is fed by the Detroit River, and indirectly, also by the Niagra River and Falls. Also, it provides a rich, fertile soil for Canada in the north. Lake Erie is a very beautiful place.

Today's question: Today's question is interesting. The Battle of Lake Erie fought in 1813, during the war of 1812, was an American victory. Although the six British ships outgunned the nine American ships, the Americans managed to capture all six enemy ships. The battle's outcome for the Americans was what?

• a. Americans were able to win consecutive battles at Lake Ontario and Superior.
• b. Americans established two forts on the peninsulas near Lake Erie.
• c. Americans cut off British supplies and reinforcements.
• d. all of the above

WORLD GEOGRAPHY: The correct answer to yesterday's question is b. The three islands in the Swan Islands are Great Swan, Little Swan, and Booby Cay.

This week's topic studies one of the longest rivers in the world. It is the Amazon River!

While the Amazon River is not the longest river in the world, it is certainly the largest. The Amazon Basin, the river's drainage area, is the largest of any river system. The Amazon can release up to 300,000 m cubed in the rainy season. So while the Amazon River isn't the longest river, it certainly is amazing!

Today's question: The water flow of the Amazon River is amazing. In fact, the Amazon River is the "strongest" in the world. Which of the following rivers does the Amazon River have a stronger water flow than?

• a. Mississippi River
• b. Yangtze River
• c. Nile River
• d. all of the above combined

WORD OF THE DAY: panacea - a remedy for all diseases

INTERESTING ARTICLE: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgif=/c/a/2005/12/10/BAG10G5O5B1.DTL