h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I did this as a fund-raiser for the Oxfam Trailtrekker, but the draw was at the end of August, so it's now just a bit of fun for anyone who wants to have a go. As I said when I was selling them - you'll know some, but I'll be very impressed if you know them all without having to look at an atlas! But hopefully it's educational as well as fun. Oh, and it's the name of the country I'm after.

I'll post the answers next week.

You can see how we're doing at http://netbel.oxfamireland.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=441&frtid=127


AFRI-QUIZ QUESTIONS
2. It's the 4th largest island in the world.
3. Its internet suffix is .mu
4. Mrs David Bowie comes from here.
5. The highest mountain in Africa is here.
6. It achieved its independence from Britain on 12 December 1963
7. Known as "The Pearl of Africa"
8. Their football team beat reigning champions Argentina in the opening match of the 1990 World Cup
9. No bag? (anag)
10. With an area of 2,381,740 km2, it’s the largest country on the continent.
11. It contains a canal connecting the Red Sea with the Mediterranean
12. Its flag is unusual because it only has one colour
13. It controls part of the Strait of Gibraltar
14. The ancient city of Carthage is here.
15. This is the 2nd biggest diamond producing country in the world
16. It is completely surrounded by South Africa.
17. UN secretary General Kofi Annan is from here.
18. Its capital is Mbabne.
19. Its border was set at a distance of one canon fire from the river which gives it its name.
20. Its president is Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
21. With a population of over 158m, it's the most populated African country.
22. Where the first human heart transplant was done.
23. Singer Youssou n'Dour is from here.
24. Its currency is the "ougiya"
25. Its national anthem is "High we exalt thee, realm of the free"

Nice quiz. I can make informed guesses for around half of them

I'm not sure Q12 is correct any more

I was going to say "Not for long" for that particular question.

Interesting questions. I think I know about 10 of them.

You are obviously an American of the World, Dmitri. Most Americans I know think Africa is a small country near Scotland. Europe, similarly.

Too true about Americans and geography. We are easily confused.

My dad was in Belgium and the Rhineland in 1944-45. Understandably, he had only a vague idea of where he was - mostly because he was being shot at a lot. 30 years later, I was poised to go to the same place, minus the rifle.

My dad (a civil engineer!): Let's see, you're landing in Luxembourg. Then you go south to Bonn.

Me: No, northeast.

Dad: No, that's wrong... (This goes on for awhile...)

Me: Look, Dad, I checked the map.

Dad: I was there in 1945, durn it.

Mother: They moved it, dear.

Great quiz, I must confess that off the top of my head, I had fewer than 10 I could count on. Still not too bad for an American.

I could answer about 15 (without google), but I'm waiting to see if I'm right!

ahh I got all 50 of them, including the medical questions

Don't worry Elektra, I got fewer than ten, too.

I think the important point of the quiz - yep, it was educational! - is that it points out holes in your knowledge.

I'd no idea about David Bowie's marital status, f'rinstance...

Thanks KB, maybe we aren't imperial types or sports types so we missed out those.