| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| This city contains a ruined Portuguese fortress whose name translates to “the Famous,” A Famosa. A historic Chinese cemetery in this city is located on a hill named Bukit Cina, at whose foot lies the Seven Dragon Wells built by Zheng He [[JUNG HUH]]. This city’s (+) Chinatown is centered around the Jonker Walk, which lies across from historic Dutch landmarks such as the Stadthuys [[STAHT-hoys]]. This city names a (*) body of water once controlled by the Dutch East India Company. For the points, name this Malaysian city that lies along a namesake strait. | Malacca |
| A Hindu community of this cultural group performs the Dyah Pyakhan dance during festivals honoring Shiva. This group of people, who form approximately 5% of the population of their home country, was historically based around cities such as Bhaktapu and Lalitpur. This group of people considers themselves the cultural heirs of a polity that was conquered by the (+) Shah Dynasty in 1768. Members of this cultural group’s Buddhist community celebrate the almsgiving festival Samyak. This cultural group once ruled a Mandala based around the Kathmandu (*) Valley. For the points, what is this cultural group, considered an indigenous culture of Nepal? | Newar People (prompt on “Nepali (s)” until 5% in second line) |
| This river names a valley that separates the Eifel and Hunsrück Mountain Ranges. The mouth of this river is overlooked by the Ehrenbreitstein [[eh-rehn- "BRIGHT"-shteen]] Fortress and is marked by the (+) Deutsches [[DOY-ches]] Eck, or German point. This river’s major tributaries include the Meurthe, the Saar and the Sauer Rivers, which arise in northeast France. This river arises in the Vosges [[VOHZH]] mountains and flows through western (*) Germany before discharging into a larger river at Koblenz. For the points, name this tributary of the Rhine which flows through Luxembourg. | Moselle River |
| This body of water is separated from Okuma Bay by King Edward the Seventh Peninsula. Ice cores were recovered from 1000 meters beneath the surface of this body of water by the Cape (+) Roberts Project. After running through the Queen Maud Mountains, the Shackleton Glacier flows into this body of water. The Bay of (*) Whales is located in this body of water, making it the southernmost open water harbor in the world. For the points, name this Southern Ocean sea that is covered by the largest ice shelf in Antarctica. | Ross Sea |
| One island in this archipelago is home to the Twin-Heart Fish Trap. Thin neon lights are used to shine bright colors onto the harbor of this archipelago’s largest island at the Xiying [[ZHEE-YING]] Rainbow Bridge. (+) On this archipelago’s southernmost island, a small town has an official name meaning “township of the island of the seven beauties” but is usually called Cimei [[“TSUH"-MAY”]]. The islands of Jibei [[JEE-BEH]], Mudou, and Gupo in this archipelago possess its characteristic (*) basalt columns. For the points, name this island group in the Taiwan Strait, governed from Magong City. | Penghu Islands (or Pescadores Islands) |
| This city’s formerly-walled Old City contains the large, open air Kurmi Market. This city’s "Ancient Walls" were constructed in the 11th and 12th centuries, starting from Dala Hill. This city is the subject of an Arabic language Chronicle likely written by Malam Barka. This city’s massive (+) Gidan Rumfa palace complex is the historic home of the Fulani Emir. This city is located just south of the Sahel and is the cultural center of the Hausa people. (*) For the points, name this largest city in northern Nigeria. | Kano |
| This island is home to an estate formerly known as Goldeneye, which belonged to the author of Dr. No, a movie set in part on this island that was the first to feature James Bond. This island’s name is derived from the Taino word for “Land of Wood and Water.” Former (+) slaves on this island once had a power base at Cudjoe's Town and Accompong Town in the Cockpit Country. Musicians on this island developed musical styles such as dub and dancehall. The creole languages Kromanti and this island’s (*) Patois [[pah-TWAH]] are used by its Maroons. For the points, name this Caribbean country governed from Kingston. | Jamaica (or Jumieka) |
| This city sits on the Zāyandeh River and is directly north of Mount Sofeh. This city’s Fire Temple, an ancient (+) Zoroastrian worship site, dates back to the Sasanian Empire. This city is home to the Naqsh-e Jahan Square, a UNESCO world heritage site portrayed on Iran’s 20,000 rial currency note, and one of the largest public squares in the world. (*) For the points, name this third-most populous city in Iran, located along the historic Silk Road 200 miles south of Tehran in the western part of the country. | Isfahan, Iran |
| A cluster of pyramidal mountains in this range is called the Cathedral Group. This mountain range likely got its name from French explorers who thought three of its peaks looked like (+) nipples. This range is separated from the Gros Ventre [[groh VAHNT]] mountains by a valley that contains Mormon Row. Rendezvous Peak is the summit of (*) the Jackson Hole ski resort in this range, which names a national park located south of Yellowstone. For the points, name this mountain range in northwest Wyoming. | Teton Range (accept Grand Teton; prompt on “Rocky Mountains” or “Rockies”; NOTE: “Grand Teton” refers to a peak within the Tetons, but can also refer to the region and the National Park) |
| This country’s Vidin Province is home to the Belogradchik sandstone rock formations. Water from the Osam River eroded the Devetashka cave in this country. A truncated pyramid with a bronze lion on top is located at a monument to its (+) Liberation Day in the Shipka pass. This country contains the entire length of the Iskar River, a tributary of the Danube. This country’s city of (*) Varna has become a seaside tourist destination and its second largest city is Plovdiv. For the points, name this country home to most of the Balkan Mountain range and a Slavic-speaking population in its capital of Sofia. | Republic of Bulgaria (or Republika Bǎlgariya) |
| The Mountain of the Sleeping Beauty, or Mount Curicuriari [[coo-ree-coo-ree- AH-ree]], is in this state’s Cabeça do Cachorro region. This state’s cities include the important river ports of Itacoatiara [[EE-tah-KOH-ah-tee-AH-rah]] and (+) Parintins. This state’s Anavilhanas National Park contains the largest river archipelago in the world. This state’s portion of the Guiana Highlands contains its country’s highest point, Pico da Neblina. This state’s capital and largest city is located at the mouth of the Rio (*) Negro. For the points, name this Brazilian state governed from Manaus. | Amazonas, Brazil |
| This river’s major tributaries include the Loup and Elkhorn Rivers, both of which lie along the historic Mormon Trail. This river is a braided stream for most of its course, including as it creates the namesake (+) Grand Island of a city it flows through. This river is formed from the confluence of its North and South branches in the Lincoln County Sandhills. This river terminates along the border of Cass and (*) Sarpy Counties. For the points, name this river that flows into the Missouri River near Omaha, Nebraska. | Platte River |
| It’s not Beijing, but this city’s largest political meeting hall is known as the Great Hall of the People, which is modeled after the exterior of the Temple of Heaven. This city’s has the world’s largest monorail system and its sprawling metropolitan area is bounded by the Zhongliang and Tongluo Mountains. Along with Chengdu, (+) this city anchors the Sichuan Basin. This is by far the most inland of the four centrally administered (*) Chinese cities. For the points, name this city located along the Jialing River, the largest municipality in China. | Chongqing [[chong-CHING or CHONG-chyen]] (accept Chungking) |
| In 1986, this region's highest point, Mount Elba, was established as the center of Gabal Elba National Park. This region is defined as the difference between the 22nd parallel north and the Administrative Line established during British rule. (+) This region is defined as either the northernmost point in the Red Sea State or the southernmost point in the Red Sea Governorate. The dispute that created this region also resulted in the terra nullius region Bir Tawil. (*) For the points, name this disputed territory along the Egypt-Sudan border. | Halaib Triangle (prompt on “Egypt-Sudan border”) |
| The construction of a controversial mine in this region resulted in the poisoning of the Juba River and the extinction of its native flying foxes. Prior to being destroyed in a civil war, this region’s capital was located in its largest city, Arawa; this region’s capital and second largest island are now both named (+) Buka. Following a protest movement sparked by the construction of the Panguna copper mine, this region is scheduled to become (*) independent by 2027. For the points, name this island in Papua New Guinea which voted for independence in 2019. | Bougainville |
| This region’s capital of the same name is divided into districts such as Malembo and Tando-Zinze. This region’s major cities include Belize, Buco-Zau, and Cacongo. This region is the center of its country’s oil industry and was known as Portuguese (+) Congo during its colonial rule. This region was united with the rest of its country under the terms of the Treaty of Alvar. (*) For the points, name this exclave province of Angola, which is separated from the rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo. | Cabinda Province (accept Portuguese Congo before mentioned) |
| This mountain range separates the Hrušica [[kroo-SHIT-suh]] Plateau from the Javornik Hills, but the two are linked by the Postojna [[poh-STOY-nah]] Gate. Sixteen cascading lakes are located between two of this range’s subranges at (+) Plitvice [[plih- TVEET-suh]]. The cities of Senj [[SEH-nee]] and Karlovac [[KAR-loh-vats]] are linked through this range by the historic Josephina Road. This range takes its name from a peak located along (*) Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. For the points, name this mountain range that make up the Adriatic Sea coast of the Balkan Peninsula. | Dinaric Alps (do not accept or prompt on “Alps”) |
| Though officially non-partisan, this country's 33-seat parliament, the Nitijela, has been mostly split by the UDP and the Kabua Party. This country consists of two major island chains named for "sunrise" and "sunset," or Ratak and Ralik. (+) Uninhabited islands in this country include Taka Atoll and Jemo Island, as well as a location where the population was forcibly removed to make way for U.S. nuclear tests, Bikini Atoll. (*) Disputing Wake Island with the United States, for the points, what is this Micronesian country governed from its largest city, Majuro? | Republic of the Marshall Islands (or Aolepān Aorōkin Ṃajeḷ) |
| This city’s downtown is connected to Rincon Point by an iconic arch bridge across its harbor. This city’s portion of the Laguna Madre is crossed by the John F. Kennedy (+) Causeway, linking it to a set of barrier islands. This city is home to a naval museum housed in the decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Lexington. This city gets its water from the Choke (*) Canyon Reserve on the Frio River, a tributary of the Nueces [[NWEH-sez]] River, which names the county this city is in. For the points, name this coastal Texas city located between Brownsville and Houston. | Corpus Christi |
| According to legend, this river formed after Mount Taranaki fled from his home. This was the largest river to be diverted into Lake Rotoaira [[roh-toh-AY-rah]] by the Tongariro Power Scheme. After a 1975 eruption of Mount (+) Ruapehu [[roo-ah-PEH- hoo]], this river became polluted with toxic ash, killing many of its large eels and trout. This river forms at Mount Tongariro before flowing through the King Country. Along with the forest Te (*) Urewera [[ooh-reh-WEH-ruh]], this river has been declared a legal person. For the points, name this river on the North Island of New Zealand, which is sacred to the Maori. | Whanganui [[wahn-gah-NOO-ee]] River |
| This city’s Cleo Rogers Memorial Library was designed by I.M. Pei and has Henry Moore's Large Arch on its front lawn. The headquarters of this city’s local newspaper is in the Myron Goldsmith-designed Republic Newspaper Office. A tower and glass front adorn the First Christian Church, designed by Eliel (+) Saarinen, in this city. This city is home to a Second Empire style building designed by Isaac Hodgson, the Bartholomew County Courthouse. Eero Saarinen’s Miller House is located in, (*) for the points, what Indiana city, known for its modernist architecture? | Columbus, Indiana |
| The so-called “world’s nastiest outhouse” is located on this mountain near Pruitt Hut. Glaciers on this mountain are the source of the Kuban and Malka Rivers, which in turn give rise to the Baksan River. In Greek myth, this mountain is known as Strobilos and is where (+) Prometheus was bound. In August 1942, a German detachment involved in Case Blue hoisted a Nazi flag on this mountain. This mountain is part of the (*) boundary between Europe and Asia and it lies along a border with Georgia. For the points, name this tallest mountain in Russia and Europe. | Mount Elbrus (or Mingi Taw) |
| This river’s valley lies south of the Cantabrian Mountains and was the subject of a 9th century repopulation scheme. The portion of the Meseta Central located north of the Central System mountains is drained by this river. (+) Wine produced along this river was once transported to harbor using flat bottom boats called rabelos before being stored at Vila Nova de Gaia. This river anchors and names a wine region most known for producing a fortified wine. (*) For the points, name this Iberian river that runs past Valladolid and Porto. | Douro River |
| This body of water covers one depression along with Étang Saumâtre. The Neiba mountains are located near this body of water in the Independencia Province. The national park of Las Caritas offers views of this body of water, which was once named for a (+) Taino chiefdom called Xaragua [[hah-rah-GWAH]]. This body of water is the lowest point of any island country, as well as the largest body of its type in the Caribbean. (*) For the points, identify this lake, the largest in Hispaniola and the Dominican Republic. | Lake Enriquillo (or Lago Enriquillo) |
| Holy Roman Emperor Henry the Second built Bled Castle on a lake in this modern-day country. The oldest grapevine in the world is in this country's city of (+) Maribor, a historic port on the Drava River. This country's Reka River and Škocjan [[SKOTS-yahn]] Caves form an underground wetland system on the Karst Plateau. This country's Mount (*) Triglav is the highest point in the Julian Alps, near the source of the Sava River, which flows into Croatia from this country. For the points, name this former Yugoslav Republic directly east of Italy. | Republic of Slovenia (or Republika Slovenija) |
| This African city is named after the birthplace of Scottish explorer David Livingstone. This city is located 40 miles northwest of the UNESCO-designated biosphere Mulanje Forest Mountain Reserve, and Mount (+) Soche is to this city’s south. This city and Lilongwe are the only two cities in (*) Malawi that have 500,000 or more inhabitants each. For the points, name this city, Malawi’s center of manufacturing, commercial capital, and second-largest city. | Blantyre |
| This region contains a monument to two Muslim clerics called On ibn Ali’s shrine, located in the Eynali Mountain Range. A small brackish lake named Gori and a large salt marsh surrounding it make up a wildlife reserve in this region. The Alvares ski resort is located on this region’s (+) Sabalan Mountain, its highest point. Along with two provinces named for it, this region today contains the Ardabil Province. The largest cities in this region are Urmia and Tabriz. (*) For the points, identify this historical region of northwest Iran that borders a namesake country in the southeastern Caucasus Mountains. | Iranian Azerbaijan (accept East Azerbaijan; or West Azerbaijan; accept Ardabil before "two provinces" and prompt afterwards; prompt on “Northwest Iran”) |
| This river’s largest dam is the Millers Ferry Lock and Dam, which impounds this river to form the William "Bill" Dannelly Reservoir. The upper portion of this river is known as the Coosa, which becomes this river at its confluence with the (+) Tallapoosa. This river is fed with water from the Appalachian Mountains by the Cahaba River. After merging with the Tombigbee, this river splits to form the (*) Mobile and Tensaw Rivers. For the points, name this river that connects Mobile Bay to Montgomery. | Alabama River (prompt on “Coosa” River before mentioned; prompt on “Mobile” River before mentioned) |
| This region contains a massive minefield leftover from World War Two known as the Devil’s Gardens. This natural region in the Matruh Governorate was created by salt weathering and wind erosion, creating an ideal location for its many Phragmites swamps and salt marshes. (+) This region is the subject of a scheme to flood it with water from the Mediterranean Sea to create a hydroelectric plant to rival its country’s Aswan High Dam. (*) For the points, name this below-sea-level basin in northwest Egypt. | Qattara [[kah-TAR-ruh]] Depression |
| The caldera lake on top of this mountain is the origin of the Simu and Suam gorges. This mountain is famed for its lush greenery, supported by warm springs that also feed the Turkwel River. This mountain names an international park where two separate visitors have died from (+) Marburg virus in the 1980s after exploring its caves. Wild elephants are known to visit the Kittum Cave on this mountain to lick salt deposits. (*) For the points, name this oldest extinct volcano in East Africa, located on the border of Uganda and Kenya. | Mount Elgon (accept Elgonyi; accept Wagagai) |
| This region’s highest point, Mount Shared, is located in its portion of the Yergeni Hills. This region is home to a large sports complex modeled after Olympic villages named Chess City. This region’s largest religious site is a (+) Gelug monastery called The Golden Abode of the Buddha Shakyamuni. This region, which is governed from Elista, is primarily inhabited by descendants of the Mongol Oirats. (*) For the points, name this constituent republic of Russia, the only majority Buddhist region in Europe. | Republic of Kalmykia (or Hal'mg) |
| The armed group that administers this region is divided into Sadio, Badiatte, and Diatta splinter factions. This region is primarily inhabited by the Jola and Bainuk people, and it contains the Kolda and Sédhiou Regions. This region is currently primarily administered by the (+) rebel MFDC group, who protest the rule of their country’s Wolof majority. Unlike the rest of its Francophone country, this region, governed from Ziguinchor, primarily speaks (*) Portuguese. For the points, name this quasi-breakaway region of southern Senegal. | Casamance (or Casamanca) |
| Although originally built directly on the shores of this body of water, land reclamation efforts have made the Hikone Castle one kilometer inland today. This body of water contains Shirahige [[shih-rah-HEE-geh]] Shrine, famed for its floating (+) torii gate. This body of water is drained by the Seta River, which itself drains into a series of rivers before discharging into the Seto Inland Sea. This Shia Prefecture (*) lake is drained by a series of canals that provide water to Ōtsu and Kyoto. For the points, name this largest freshwater lake in Japan. | Lake Biwa (or Biwako) |
| This city is home to the oldest transporter bridge in the United States, the Aerial Lift Bridge. This city is named for a misspelling of the title of its first European inhabitant, the French explorer Daniel Greysolon. (+) America’s only entirely freshwater aquarium is located in this city and exhibits wildlife from the nearby St. Louis River. This birthplace of Bob Dylan is part of the Twin Ports along with the town of (*) Superior. For the points, name this westernmost port city on the Great Lakes. | Duluth, Minnesota |
| The southwest entrance to this region was guarded by the city Alexandria the Farthest. Near the city of Namangan, the Naryn and Kara Darya rivers confluence to create a river central to this region’s cotton production. A (+) Bactrian state in this region, home to the Dayuan people, was once famed for its “heavenly horses.” The Syr Darya River flows through this valley after arising in the Tian Shan Mountains. (*) For the points, name this highly-populated and fertile valley split between Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. | Fergana Valley (or Fergana öröönü) |
| This city’s defense industry is centered around Fort Carson and the Space Foundation. Conservative Christian organizations based in this city include The Navigators, Young Life, and Focus on the Family. Along with Pueblo, (+) this city lies along the Fountain Creek. The Garden of the Gods is located in this city. This Rocky Mountain city is the seat of El Paso County, the most populous in its state. (*) For the points, name this city sometimes called the Christian Mecca and Evangelical Vatican, located south of Denver. | Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| This river names a dry forest that primarily occupies parts of the Magway Region. Chinese investors are lobbying for a dam on this river that would likely export most of its electricity output to Yunnan. The construction of the Myitsone Dam at the source of this river would potentially threaten its namesake species of (+) dolphin. This river is formed from the confluence of the Nmai and Mali Rivers, and its primary tributary is the Chindwin. A poem by Rudyard (*) Kipling inspired this river’s nickname “The Road to Mandalay.” For the points, name this national river of Myanmar. | Irrawaddy River (or Ayeyarwady River) |