Geo Quiz
Scientists Mobilize to Eradicate Island Rats
Conservationists are mobilizing to eradicate a rat population that threatens a remote South Atlantic island’s sea birds. Zoologist Tony Martin from the University of Dundee, Scotland is leading one of the biggest rat busting operations ever carried out.
Soccer Dogs in Mexico’s Championship Finals
The Geo Quiz takes us to a Mexican border city which is in the grip of Xolos fever right now. Xolos are a canine breed that Americans know as Mexican hairless dogs. Xolos is also the nickname of the local soccer team, which is battling for the crown of Mexican champion this week.
Historic Handwritten Letters Reveal The Past
An impressive collection of historic letters from international artists, scientists, and writers is being put up for auction. The collection includes a letter that Dutch artist Vincent Van Goph sent to the owner of a cafe in southern France.
Restoring Urban India’s Riverbanks
A new biodiversity park along a stretch of the river is starting to restore some of the natural services the landscape used to provide.
An Island that Isn’t All There
We’re looking for the name of the sea that lies between Australia and New Caledonia and has been in the news recently for showing up as a curious black blob in the middle of the water.
Pigeon Impossible
For today’s Geo Quiz we want you to identify where Britain’s code breaking operations were based during the Second World War, and the English county where a dead carrier pigeon was discovered with a coded message attached to its leg bone.
New Town in Canada
For the Geo Quiz, we’re looking for a town in Canada that’s billing itself as the future home of a super-sized ski resort, the only year-round ski resort in North America, in fact.
A Train Made Entirely of Chocolate
A locomotive train made entirely out of Belgian chocolate is the centerpiece of a European culinary event celebrating all things chocolate, Brussels Chocolate Week. Andrew Farrugia is the pastry chef and chocolate artist behind the 112 foot long chocolate ctrain carved out of more than a ton of chocolate.
Andean Nation Does The Numbers
There’s no national emergency going on or violence breaking out in this South American nation, but everyone’s been ordered to stay at home. The National Institute of Statistics wants to carry out an accurate census of its more than 10 million citizens — so the government has imposed a curfew.
Libya’s Pearl of the Desert
An ancient town at the borders dividing Tunisia, Algeria and Libya is nicknamed “the pearl of the desert.” This UNESCO World Heritage site was famous for its annual autumn festival celebrating, among other things, the local dates harvest and Tuareg culture.
Adotta Una Guglia – Adopt a Spire
Milan, Italy’s 14th century cathedral is one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in Europe. But the cultural landmark is in need of some renovation and a major cleaning. Air pollution and foggy weather have taken a toll on the white marble. So cathedral authorities have come up with a clever way to hopefully raise thirty million dollars for the renovation. Adotta una guglia or “Adopt a spire.”
Uruguay’s ‘Poor’ President
For our Geo Quiz Thursday we travel to the capital of Uruguay. BBC Mundo’s Vladimir Hernandez profiles Uruguay’s president Jose Mujica, who’s been called the world’s “poorest” president. He gives away most of his salary, and lives on a ramshackle farm just outside Uruguay’s capital instead of a presidential palace.
Zimbabwe’s Capital on the Move
The Geo Quiz wants you to name the capital of Zimbabwe – and if you’re really on top of your game, name the place where the Zimbabwean government wants to build a new capital.
Copper Mining Threatens Afghan Buddhas
A Chinese company is set to begin mining one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper deposits. Cash strapped Afghanistan could potentially reap billions of dollars in revenue from the deal. But there’s a hitch. There’s an ancient Buddhist monastery there and the site is full of old Buddha statues and artifacts.
Dali’s Mad Tristan On View in Quebec
A spectacular surrealist painting called Mad Tristan by the Spanish artist Salvador Dali is being exhibited for the first time in more than six decades. Art historian Jennifer Whisper has seen “Mad Tristan” up close in the first public exhibit since Dali created it for New York’s Metropolitan Opera in 1944.
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