A year for ASIA

In an instant, you should know that Asia includes the two most populous countries on the planet, China and India. The continent consists of 47 countries with nearly 4 billion people, some 60 percent of the world's population. Asia -- also the largest in size of the seven continents -- spans 10 time zones (some say 11), the contiguous United States only four.

Not everyone agrees on what constitutes Asia, since it's part of the Eurasian land mass, but its borders on the west are generally considered to be the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Dardanelles in northwest Turkey and the Gulf of Suez/Suez Canal in Egypt. Its other borders are three oceans -- the Arctic, Pacific and Indian. Not a day goes by without news from Asia -- the war in Iraq, resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan, military repression against demonstrating monks in Myanmar (formerly Burma), the 2008 Summer Olympics in China, Middle East turmoil, nuclear fears from Iran, astonishing development in Dubai, outsourcing of jobs to India, oil production in Saudi Arabia and the economy in Japan.

Every day we touch something made in Asia -- the clothes we wear, the cell phones we use, the TV sets we watch, toys children play with. Obviously, we all need to know more about Asia -- more than just popular Chinese, Indian, Japanese and Thai food!

Here's a chance to test your geography skills. You'll find questions relating to Asia, but also questions on the rest of the world. Remember, this is not a test with grades, but simply a way to help us all learn more about our planet.

OUR WORLD

1. Benelux is the collective name for three small countries on what continent?

2. Victoria Falls plunges 360 feet into which African river?

3. Yukon, Northwest and Nunavut are territories in what country?

4. The Middle East serves as a crossroads between Asia, Africa and what other continent?

5. What is the only continent without a permanent human population?

6. In Islam, it is the duty of every Muslim who can to make a pilgrimage to Mecca, located in which country?

7. China and India, the two most populous countries in the world, are located on which continent?

8. During the last three years, the Darfur region of which African country has seen genocide and the displacement of refugees?

9. The Bolshoi Theatre, known as a cultural center for opera and ballet, is located in which Russian city?

10. Highway signs in both Gaelic and English are common in which country?

11. Afrikaners are the descendants of European settlers who mostly live in which present-day country?

12. Steel drums, acoustically tuned musical instruments made from oil drums, originated in which Caribbean island country?

13. Which country holds the world record for the annual occurrence of tornadoes (more than 1,000 a year)?

14. What small country on the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula was a major player in oceanic exploration during the 15th century?

15. The islands of Luzon, Mindanao and Mindoro are part of which Asian country that gained independence from the United States in 1946?

16. The Westman Islands, located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, are a small archipelago neighboring which European country?

17. What language is spoken by more Chinese than any other?

18. Ceylon tea is grown on the hillsides of what South Asian country?

19. Grand Coulee Dam, one of the largest concrete structures in the world, is located in which U.S. state?

20. Once a Belgian colony, what present-day country is the third largest in area in Africa and has experienced terrible civil war and poverty?

ANSWERS

1. Europe (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg). 2. Zambezi. 3. Canada. 4. Europe. 5. Antarctica. 6. Saudi Arabia. 7. Asia. 8. Sudan. 9. Moscow. 10. Ireland. 11. South Africa. 12. Trinidad and Tobago. 13. United States. 14. Portugal. 15. Philippines. 16. Iceland. 17. Mandarin. 18. Sri Lanka. 19. Washington. 20. Democratic Republic of the Congo.

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. Which country is bordered in part by the Orinoco River?

A. Ecuador

B. Chile

C. Venezuela

D. Argentina

2. Last year a military commander seized control of what country composed of more than 300 islands in the Pacific?

A. Fiji B. Micronesia

C. Philippines

D. Solomon Islands

3. U.S. troops were used in 1989 to overthrow the de facto rule of Gen. Manuel Noriega in which Central American country?

A. Belize

B. Guatemala

C. Nicaragua

D. Panama

4. The city of Albuquerque, N.M., is located on which river?

A. Colorado

B. Snake

C. Rio Grande

D. Yellowstone

5. Which European capital is headquarters for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization?

A. Berlin

B. Brussels

C. Paris

D. The Hague

6. Jin Mao Tower, which has the highest hotel rooms in the world, is located in which Asian city?

A. Beijing

B. Jakarta

C. Shanghai

D. Singapore

7. Which major South American city is more populous?

A. Bienos Aires

B. Sao Paulo, Brazil

C. Santiago, Chile

D. Rio de Janeiro

8. What river forms much of the border between Romania and neighboring Bulgaria?

A. Seine

B. Volga

C. Danube

D. Rhine

9. Which Northern European country originated St. Lucia Day on Dec. 13 as a celebration of light in the darkness of winter?

A. Norway

B. Denmark

C. Finland

D. Sweden

10. Carthage, an ancient city known for its archaeological wealth, is located on the Mediterranean coast of which African country?

A. Tunisia

B. Morocco

C. Libya

D. Algeria

ANSWERS

1. C (with Colombia). 2. A. 3. D. 4. C. 5. B. 6. C (Grand Hyatt Shanghai). 7. B. 8. C. 9. D. 10. A.