Guess The City

[Michael]

This game is fairly simple to play, but sometimes tough to solve. :)

Someone gives a few clues about some existing city in the world and other posters then try to guess the correct city that fits the clues.

Whoever gets the answer correct sets the next city challenge.

The Rules:

This game is based on the honor system. That means you're supposed to figure out the answer from your own knowledge and not look up the answer in Google or some other search engine or encyclopedia or whatever.

Cities must be existing and real, not fictional, symbolic or lost in history.

Cities are defined as having 100,000 population (or more). Some latitude is permitted here for cities that come close, but this rule is to prevent obscure towns or villages that are impossibly difficult for others to successfully guess.

[Michael]

Okay, here we go...

This city is famous for having rather colorful 'art-deco' style architecture.

[Dominick]

Okay, here we go...

This city is famous for having rather colorful 'art-deco' style architecture.
How many do you want ? You'll need to be a bit more specific.

[Michael]

The city is North American.

[Greendruid]

Miami, Florida, USA?

I miss my beloved Bauhaus Café - remember it Michael?

[Michael]

Miami, Florida, USA?

I miss my beloved Bauhaus Café - remember it Michael?

Yes Miami is correct!

(and yes, I remember that cool little Bauhaus cafe - many good conversations there!)

[Greendruid]

Yes Miami is correct!

(and yes, I remember that cool little Bauhaus cafe - many good conversations there!)

Okay - this city is the site of a developing country's only university. It's average high temperature is 33C (90.9F) and its average low is 22C (72F). It is a seaport that developed from a Portuguese fort and saw various colonial powers change hands including the Dutch, French, Swedes, Danes and British. It is one of the wealthiest cities on its continent today after gaining independence from colonial rule. It's name in one of the local languages means "ants" due to the many anthills in the surrounding geography of the city centre.

[Michael]

:eek: Well that's not exactly an easy one!!!

My careful deduction of the clues places the answer somewhere on the west coast of Africa. Unfortunately, I could barely name more than one or two cities in that general area and none that I could offer as a guess. Ivory Coast neighborhood I'm guessing.

Perhaps that might be a hint for someone who knows more African cities than I do! :)

[Dominick]

Nah, must be in India or further east.
Macau ? Not sure what the current name is.

[Michael]

Nah, must be in India or further east.
Macau ? Not sure what the current name is.
Danish AND Swedish colonialism?

Dutch, Portuguese, French and Brits definitely covered half the freakin' globe, but the Danes and the Swedes didn't really get into India or Indochina all that much. They both definitely hit the West Coast of Africa.

Also there is a clue that there is only one university in the country. That also suggests Africa.

[Greendruid]

Michael is definitely closer ...

[Dominick]

Danish AND Swedish colonialism?

Dutch, Portuguese, French and Brits definitely covered half the freakin' globe, but the Danes and the Swedes didn't really get into India or Indochina all that much. They both definitely hit the West Coast of Africa.

Also there is a clue that there is only one university in the country. That also suggests Africa.
You should make guesses instead of tapping the pupils on their hands. Now I get to be the first to suggest Mogadishu :sneaky2:

[Greendruid]

It's not Mogadishu.

[Michael]

You should make guesses instead of tapping the pupils on their hands. Now I get to be the first to suggest Mogadishu :sneaky2:
That's east coast - and I'd be surprised if that was founded as a Pork Chop Fort. :D

I'm thinking west coast which is why I just don't know any cities there except that Belgian place on the Congo - old Leopoldville (gawd only knows what its called now). Yes, I admit that I am totally and woefully ignorant of Africa. :o

That being said, I don't think either of the Danes or Swedes got into the Indian Ocean at all. They were very early players and soon dropped out of the 'big game' and that all points to the Ivory/Gold/Slave coast of West Africa.

I'll guess Freetown (Sierra Leone).

[Greendruid]

Freetown is also incorrect. I'll post another hint.

It is the current seat of the Defence Commission of the African Union, probably owing to the country's stability.

[Michael]

Freetown is also incorrect. I'll post another hint.

It is the current seat of the Defence Commission of the African Union, probably owing to the country's stability.
I was just reading an article on African politics and this DCAU was mentioned... :D

I'm now going to guess Accra (Ghana)!

[Greendruid]

Correct! We had a lovely youth exchange experience with kids from Ghana last year. Most of them were from Accra so I learned a lot about the place. You're up!

[Michael]

Correct! We had a lovely youth exchange experience with kids from Ghana last year. Most of them were from Accra so I learned a lot about the place. You're up!
You had an exchange of "lovely youth" ???

Sounds interesting! :D

Okay, here's the next city challenge:

This city (among the top 20 largest in the USA) is known for being a "Democratic" city in a very "Republican" state. The city also claims to be "The Live Music Capital of the World" (which is rather debatable, but that's their claim). The city is probably best known as the home of Willie Nelson. ;)

[Greendruid]

Houston, TX?

[Michael]

Houston, TX?
Umm... Houston is a very Republican city in a very Repubican state. ;)

Not too far off the correct answer though.

[Greendruid]

Austin, TX? Without using search engines I'm just going to keep guessing. I'm pretty sure Willie is a Texas boy but I could be wrong.

[Michael]

Austin, TX? Without using search engines I'm just going to keep guessing. I'm pretty sure Willie is a Texas boy but I could be wrong.
Yes Willie is a Texas boy - from Austin.

You're up. Please no bloody African cities this time! :D

[Greendruid]

This American city is home to the loudest stadium in the NFL (National Football League).

... and it was the exchange that was lovely, though some of the youth were quite pleasant-looking and some (like miss highschool Ghana who was among the nine of them) thought very highly of their looks despite different North American standards of beauty. All in all it was a lot of fun.

[Michael]

I'll guess Kansas City - just because its in the heartland (and close to where you went to school). ;)

(total blind guess - I've never watched an NFL football game in my life)

[Greendruid]

You're exactly right! St. Louis was closer to where I went to school but Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs, is indeed the loudest stadium in the NFL, if not the loudest stadium ever built. You're up.

[Michael]

This city boasts the largest airport in the world.

(I'm not counting that silly little airport in the middle of a huge empty field in Saudi Arabia).

[Greendruid]

Singapore? It's a pretty busy destination for trans-pacific flights and N-S routes from Australasia to Asia.

[Michael]

That may be true, but Singapore is a very tiny place...

Singapore is not correct.

[Greendruid]

I'll try London - Heathrow then because you've mentioned this is the answer to about 25% of the questions you would typically put in such a thread on past forums.

[Michael]

I'll try London - Heathrow then because you've mentioned this is the answer to about 25% of the questions you would typically put in such a thread on past forums.
Good guess. But Heathrow is a notoriously small airport (and a massively busy one).

Hint: North America.

[Greendruid]

Hmmm, Boston was pretty immense the couple times I can remember being there. Had to take a train to get from one side to the other in time.

[Michael]

2nd clue: think beer

[SMadsen]

As in the Great American Beer Festival?

[Michael]

As in the Great American Beer Festival?
Um... I don't know.

Largest airport in the world, in a city that has a strong connection with Coors beer. One might say that this city has not only attitude, but altitude as well.

[Greendruid]

Wow! Denver?!? I hate flying into Denver. That Rockies Mountain sheer for the last 45 minutes of the flight approach from anywhere to the east of it either sucks or sucks and makes you hurl.

[Michael]

Wow! Denver?!? I hate flying into Denver. That Rockies Mountain sheer for the last 45 minutes of the flight approach from anywhere to the east of it either sucks or sucks and makes you hurl.

Denver is correct!

(and I thought this was a really easy one!)

[Greendruid]

Right then!

This city has been continuously inhabited for about 7,000 or 8,000 years. It is surrounded by seven gates, the oldest of which dates from the time of the height of the Roman Empire.

[SMadsen]

A Middle-eastern one?

[Greendruid]

Technically Near Eastern, from the Eurocentric perspective.

[Michael]

Istanbul (aka Constantinople, aka Byzantium).

[Greendruid]

Don't know about Constantinople's gates or its exact age but this is not the city I was thinking of. Need a clue?

[Michael]

Don't know about Constantinople's gates or its exact age but this is not the city I was thinking of. Need a clue?
Byzantium traces pretty far back. And definitely the old gates still stand.

New guess: Damascus

If not, I'd like to buy a vowel ;)

[SMadsen]

Technically Near Eastern, from the Eurocentric perspective.
Well, since at least 1967 there's little point in holding on to the concept of the Near Eastern. It's just one big mess of sour, paranoid and unsatisfiable people called the Middle East.

I was thinking of the Seven Gates of Jerusalem.

[Greendruid]

Damscus is correct!

Michael is up!

... and might I say that although the region is messed up, you can thank European colonialism and a lack of Renaissance for that. Thanks for the Eurocentric perspective though SMadsen - always nice to see variety on here :rolleyes: All generalisations are bad.

[SMadsen]

If one considers Romans to be European colonialists then yes. And no. The Romans didn't give rise to the almost innate hatred between Jews and Arabs. I believe that goes way back to a time when Europeans still tried to master the new trend now known as agriculture.

[Michael]

If one considers Romans to be European colonialists then yes. And no. The Romans didn't give rise to the almost innate hatred between Jews and Arabs. I believe that goes way back to a time when Europeans still tried to master the new trend now known as agriculture.
The Jews and Arabs actually have a very long history of friendship in the Middle East. They were allies during the Crusades (in defense against the Christians).

It appears that relations between the two only turned negative in the second half of the 19th century (with the development of the principle of Zionism) and then went really nasty with Nazi propaganda in the 1930's as Hitler tried to get the Arabs to overthrow their British colonial masters.

[Michael]

Next city challenge:

This large city is a major transportation, financial and industrial center, and is a major world city. The origin of the city's name is quite unflattering as it involves skunks and/or onions. The city is also well known for the meat-packing industry.

[Americano]

Next city challenge:

This large city is a major transportation, financial and industrial center, and is a major world city. The origin of the city's name is quite unflattering as it involves skunks and/or onions. The city is also well known for the meat-packing industry.

The windy city Chicago.

[Michael]

The windy city Chicago.
Bingo!

You're up.

[Americano]

What's the richest city in the world?

[Michael]

What's the richest city in the world?
Hmm... got any parameters on this? Highest per capita? Or largest gross wealth?

Largest gross weath would probably be New York.

[Americano]

Hmm... got any parameters on this? Highest per capita? Or largest gross wealth?

Largest gross weath would probably be New York.

420,000 residents, average net worth $17M.

[Americano]

Tip: the wealth excludes the I believe one-million resident guest workers.

[Donkey]

Tip: the wealth excludes the I believe one-million resident guest workers.
Could it be Dubai?

[Americano]

Could it be Dubai?

Very, very close.

[Donkey]

Very, very close.
Arg. Abu Dhabi?

[dilettante]

Very, very close.

How about Riyadh?

[Americano]

Arg. Abu Dhabi?

BUZZZZZZ! Winner! 420,000 residents, average net worth $17-million each.

You're up. (if those numbers didn't make you slightly ill)

[Donkey]

BUZZZZZZ! Winner! 420,000 residents, average net worth $17-million each.

You're up. (if those numbers didn't make you slightly ill)
Woot. I've been waiting for that. :p

This North American city's river had an interesting phenomenon occur from 1936 to 1969. The most famous microbrewery from this city has a brew named after this feature of the river.

What is this city. :)

For bonus points tell us what the phenomenon is. For extra extra bonus points, name the brewery and rate the beers. :p

[Michael]

Cleveland, Ohio River caught fire, Great Lakes Brewing company & Burning River Pale Ale!

(I had to lookup the microbrewery, but I knew the city)

Heck, we should start a game for 'famous river fires' :D

[Donkey]

Cleveland, Ohio River caught fire, Great Lakes Brewing company & Burning River Pale Ale!

(I had to lookup the microbrewery, but I knew the city)

Heck, we should start a game for 'famous river fires' :D
Yup!

Maybe that one was too easy. :p

[Michael]

Yup!

Maybe that one was too easy. :p
Not really - this game is supposed to be fairly easy. :)

I knew the Ohio River caught fire and I knew that Cleveland was local to you. ;)

Could have been Detroit...

* * *

For our next challenge... this is the oldest English-founded city in North America (mainland - excluding Carribean).

[Greendruid]

For our next challenge... this is the oldest English-founded city in North America (mainland - excluding Carribean).

Jamestown, .... Virginia (I'm actually not 100% sure on the state but, did it really matter in the 1600s?

[Michael]

Not correct.

[Helene]

For our next challenge... this is the oldest English-founded city in North America (mainland - excluding Carribean).

St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada?

Oh crap. I just read the rules. I never would have gotten this (if it's actually right) based on the honor system.

[Michael]

St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada?

Oh crap. I just read the rules. I never would have gotten this (if it's actually right) based on the honor system.
St. John's, Newfoundland is correct.

You're up... (next time, no Google!!!) :)

[Helene]

St. John's, Newfoundland is correct.

You're up... (next time, no Google!!!) :)

Can I use google/wikipedia to find facts about the city? Or should I just come up with interesting information based on what I know?

[Michael]

Can I use google/wikipedia to find facts about the city? Or should I just come up with interesting information based on what I know?
Sure, looking up a city to find good clues is fine.

Just that one is supposed to be able to 'guess the city' from the clues without using Google/search engines. :)

[Malvolio]

It's not my turn, but in the meantime I'll give it a try. Here is an easy one ...

the city I'm looking for claims to be the oldest city in Germany.

[Michael]

It's not my turn, but in the meantime I'll give it a try. Perfectly acceptable under our "24 hour rule". That means that if someone who's turn it is doesn't post a new challenge for any Forum Game within 24 hours, others may step in an offer a new one.

Here is an easy one ...

the city I'm looking for claims to be the oldest city in Germany.
I'll venture Cologne as my guess. Founded as a Roman fortress at an important frontier river crossing.

[Malvolio]

Perfectly acceptable under our "24 hour rule". That means that if someone who's turn it is doesn't post a new challenge for any Forum Game within 24 hours, others may step in an offer a new one.


I'll venture Cologne as my guess. Founded as a Roman fortress at an important frontier river crossing.

Very good guess ... your're close. ;)

But the emphasis is on "city" here. This town was the first one to become acknowledged as a city by the Romans in the area of today's Germany. It's Latin name consists of the name of a famous Roman emperor and the name of the resident tribe. A tribe that has been more successful than most other tribes mentioned in "De Bello Gallico" by cooperating with the Romans. The current name of the still existing city has dropped one part of the name .... but is still similar to the other part of the original Roman name.

[Michael]

Very good guess ... your're close. ;)

But the emphasis is on "city" here. This town was the first one to become acknowledged as a city by the Romans in the area of today's Germany. It's Latin name consists of the name of a famous Roman emperor and the name of the resident tribe. A tribe that has been more successful than most other tribes mentioned in "De Bello Gallico" by cooperating with the Romans. The current name of the still existing city has dropped one part of the name .... but is still similar to the other part of the original Roman name.
Your clues confuse me now.

I originally was going to guess Trier (which is close to Cologne) but your clues seem to point at Augsburg (obviously named for Augustus - in the land of the Batavians - suppliers of auxillary cavalry to the Romans) - but is NOT geographically close to Cologne.

So, I'm guessing Augsburg.

[Malvolio]

Your clues confuse me now.

I originally was going to guess Trier (which is close to Cologne) but your clues seem to point at Augsburg (obviously named for Augustus - in the land of the Batavians - suppliers of auxillary cavalry to the Romans) - but is NOT geographically close to Cologne.

So, I'm guessing Augsburg.

You're getting even better. You even got the right Emperor .... but the wrong tribe. :D And the part of the name that survived perhaps wasn't the name of Mr. Augustus. ;)

[Malvolio]

You "almost" had it right. :cool:

The original name was "Augusta Treverorum" .... and the name today is still similar, though obviously not identical, to the second part of the name.

[Michael]

You "almost" had it right. :cool:

The original name was "Augusta Treverorum" .... and the name today is still similar, though obviously not identical, to the second part of the name.
Trier then! I've always known so little about that city.

[Malvolio]

Trier then! I've always known so little about that city.

Correct.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trier

Trier (French (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_language): Trèves; Luxembourgish (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxembourgish_language): Tréier; Latin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_language): Augusta Treverorum) is a city (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City) in Germany (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany) on the banks of the Moselle River (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moselle_River). It is the oldest city in Germany, founded in or before 16 BC.[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trier#cite_note-Trier_website-0) Trier is not the only city claiming to be Germany's oldest, but it is the only one that bases this assertion on having the longest history as a city, as opposed to a mere settlement or army camp.

And Karl Marx was from Trier. ;)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0d/Trier_porta_nigra.jpg/800px-Trier_porta_nigra.jpg

Porta Nigra (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porta_Nigra)


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/Dom_und_Liebfrauen_Trier.jpg/742px-Dom_und_Liebfrauen_Trier.jpg

Cathedral_of_Trier (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral_of_Trier)

[Michael]

Wow - awesome pix! And I didn't know Herr Karl was from Trier. Do they have any tacky tourist traps there for him (Marx's boyhood home, or favorite pub)?

* * *

Anyway, here's our next city challenge:

This major European city was founded by Celtic peoples and was subsequently conquered or controled by Romans, Visigoths, Huns, Ostrogoths, Byzantines, Franks, Germans, Spanish, French and Austrian rulers at one time or another.

[Malvolio]

Wow - awesome pix! And I didn't know Herr Karl was from Trier. Do they have any tacky tourist traps there for him (Marx's boyhood home, or favorite pub)?


Of course .... http://www.fes.de/marx/index_e.htm

Anyway, here's our next city challenge:

This major European city was founded by Celtic peoples and was subsequently conquered or controled by Romans, Visigoths, Huns, Ostrogoths, Byzantines, Franks, Germans, Spanish, French and Austrian rulers at one time or another.

My first idea was Trieste .... it's not really a major city, though.

[Michael]

My first idea was Trieste .... it's not really a major city, though.
Hmmm... that's a good guess.

The city I'm looking for is much larger - a major city (over 1million pop).

[Greendruid]

To have that vast of a cast of occupiers I'm going to guess something more central in Eurasia. My guess is Budapest.

[Michael]

To have that vast of a cast of occupiers I'm going to guess something more central in Eurasia. My guess is Budapest.
I don't think either the Celts or the Romans ventured that far east (or the Franks or the Ostrogoths).

Geographically, Malvolio's guess was physically closer.

[SonofaHun]

This major European city was founded by Celtic peoples and was subsequently conquered or controled by Romans, Visigoths, Huns, Ostrogoths, Byzantines, Franks, Germans, Spanish, French and Austrian rulers at one time or another.

Milan, Italy? I was actually surprised by how many cities in Southern Europe the Celts founded--Belgrade is another one.

[Michael]

Milan, Italy? I was actually surprised by how many cities in Southern Europe the Celts founded--Belgrade is another one.
Belgrade founded by Celts eh? News to me!

Anyway, Milan is correct! :)

[Greendruid]

For the record, Budapest is indeed a "Celtic" city. The eastern Celtic-speaking peoples are most often referred to as Getic. You would probably know them as the Dacians or even the Thracians. I couldn't tell you the relationship between the Celtic cultures of the East and the development of the Slavic languages but I can at least tell you that a knowledge base around metal smithing and even designs where horses are concerned is particularly focussed upon as one of the key ties between the Western and Eastern Celts. That and an affinity for golden jewellery. I wasn't sure about the Franks or the Spanish but most of the others fit the place. Milan is certainly an interesting answer there. I would have thought they were Etruscan but they appear not to be.

[Michael]

You would probably know them as the Dacians or even the Thracians.
Okay, that makes sense. Keep forgetting that Thracians and Celts are the same group.

No Franks ruled in the Balkans (some parts of Greece yes, but that's it).

SonofaHun's turn...

[SonofaHun]

This formerly Prussian seaport and autonomous city-state historically had an overwhelmingly German majority in its population, which is ironic considering that it is where the Nazi’s began World War II.

[Dominick]

This formerly Prussian seaport and autonomous city-state historically had an overwhelmingly German majority in its population, which is ironic considering that it is where the Nazi’s began World War II.

Danzig/Gdansk ?

[SonofaHun]

Danzig/Gdansk ?

Bingo. That's it. My mom was actually one of the German majority there when the bombs starting dropping. She was 10. She and most of her family ended up getting stuck on the Russian side of the eastern front for most of the war, but made it to Frankfurt by the time the war was over.

[Michael]

Btw, what ever happened to Konigsburg? What name has that city changed to?

[SonofaHun]

Btw, what ever happened to Konigsburg? What name has that city changed to?

Kaliningrad (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaliningrad)

[Dominick]

Bingo. That's it. My mom was actually one of the German majority there when the bombs starting dropping. She was 10. She and most of her family ended up getting stuck on the Russian side of the eastern front for most of the war, but made it to Frankfurt by the time the war was over.
I remember it from when I was a small kid and realized that there were cities with multiple, completely different names :eek: Possibly the start of my interest in history and geography.

Damn, now I'm up :ummm:

K, this city is about 1,000 years old and was an intellectual centre in the 15th-16th century. Its decline, ironically, started when 'civilization' began to reach it. Today it's a small town in a very poor nation.

[SMadsen]

K, this city is about 1,000 years old and was an intellectual centre in the 15th-16th century. Its decline, ironically, started when 'civilization' began to reach it. Today it's a small town in a very poor nation.
Are we in the Balkans? Albania or such?

[Michael]

Are we in the Balkans? Albania or such?
I can't think of anything in the Balkans was an "intellectual center" in that timeframe since that's the height of the 'Turkish menace' in the Balkans.

I'm thinking this is South or Central America (or Africa for that matter).

[Dominick]

Not in the Balkans. It's current location is in a much poorer environment.
In fact, this place is in the middle of nowhere to such an extent it has become proverbial.

[SonofaHun]

Not in the Balkans. It's current location is in a much poorer environment.
In fact, this place is in the middle of nowhere to such an extent it has become proverbial.

Proverbial, eh? What about Timbuktu?

[Michael]

Proverbial, eh? What about Timbuktu?
You beat me to it. Timbuktu was a rather large trade/intellectual center about 500 years ago...

[Dominick]

Proverbial, eh? What about Timbuktu?
That's the one. The proverb is apparently still well known :)

[SonofaHun]

Sorry for the lapse. Been kinda busy around here.

Here's the next city question:

This city of the southern hemisphere is one of three national capitals in its country and serves as the nation’s adminstrative center.

[Michael]

Bit confusing with "three capitals" in one nation...

I'll guess Brazilia

[SonofaHun]

Right hemisphere, wrong continent.:)

[Malvolio]

Hmmmm .... Canberra?

[SonofaHun]

Hmmmm .... Canberra?

Still not the right continent.

Here's another hint. You know how the US has three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial? Imagine that each branch was headquartered in a different city, hence each was considered a capital. That's sort of how it is in this country.

[Michael]

Well, there's only one country on the globe that does that!

I'll guess Cape Town (just because its beautiful - and I can't spell either of the other two!)

[Malvolio]

Well, there's only one country on the globe that does that!

I'll guess Cape Town (just because its beautiful - and I can't spell either of the other two!)

What about Pretoria?

[SonofaHun]

What about Pretoria?

That's right!

[Malvolio]

OK. I'm looking for a small town. But despite it's size, it has it's own airport. It's a bit tricky to get into into. If you drive into town, you got to cross the airport runway. That means when there is a plane expected to start or land, you got to wait at a barrier.

[Michael]

OK. I'm looking for a small town. But despite it's size, it has it's own airport. It's a bit tricky to get into into. If you drive into town, you got to cross the airport runway. That means when there is a plane expected to start or land, you got to wait at a barrier.
This looks very challenging. I presume at least some of our members might be able to guess this place? Personally, I don't have a clue...

I suspect it might be a small island.

[Donkey]

Not an island, I don't think, since you can drive here? Could we get a continent perhaps?

[Americano]

Not an island, I don't think, since you can drive here? Could we get a continent perhaps?

Could well be an island, every Hawaiian island has cars shipped in. An island would also prevent driving around the runway. I don't have a clue.

[Malvolio]

Not an island, I don't think, since you can drive here? Could we get a continent perhaps?

OK .... Europe .... and it's not an island.

[Malvolio]

OK .... another clue ... there is evidence of human habitation going as far back as the Neandertal man.

[Malvolio]

Nobody .... oh dear.

It's tough to give good clues without giving it away immediately.

I already said that it is a very small town, but despite of that is has seen countless military conflicts and was rules by many different nations during it's long history.

[Michael]

Nobody .... oh dear.

It's tough to give good clues without giving it away immediately.

I already said that it is a very small town, but despite of that is has seen countless military conflicts and was rules by many different nations during it's long history.
I figure the 'town' has to have some nasty geography for the airport problem - but since it is not an island, it has to have rocks/mountains.

I'll guess Gibraltar.

I don't know about its airport, but it is the only place I can guess that would fit the clues. It is in Europe, its small and rocky location would probably make an airport tricky, its not a very big place and it has a long and colorful military history, ruled by different nations. I was thinking about A) some alpine city but I don't know many places in the Alps, or b) one of the tiny principalities - the latter of which led me to Gibraltar.

[Greendruid]

I'll guess Gibraltar.

I don't know about its airport, but it is the only place I can guess that would fit the clues. It is in Europe, its small and rocky location would probably make an airport tricky, its not a very big place and it has a long and colorful military history, ruled by different nations. I was thinking about A) some alpine city but I don't know many places in the Alps, or b) one of the tiny principalities - the latter of which led me to Gibraltar.

You're thoughts went through the exact scenario mine did Michael. It has to be "The Rock".

[Malvolio]

Bingo !!!! :)

It's kind of funny. If you walk (or drive) cross the border from La Linea (Spain) into Gibraltar, you got to walk right across the airport runway.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/06/Gibraltar_map-en-edit2.svg/385px-Gibraltar_map-en-edit2.svg.png

Bigger version: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/Gibraltar_map-en-edit2.svg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuDzK0Hk2LU/R9OkFlHWKgI/AAAAAAAAAD8/ChyLDLXr4no/s1600/image-upload-7-703538.jpe

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1233/1303745563_fa0df2c5ba.jpg?v=0


http://www.scehardt.com/photos/2006/large/mini-s007%20Gibraltar%20airport.jpg

[Michael]

Awesome pix! The little gun batteries look very cool. :)

Anyway, for our next challenge...

This city is considered to be the largest on the planet measured by urban area.

[Greendruid]

Mexico City?

[Michael]

Mexico City?
Not correct. Mexico City is 2nd on the list.

[Malvolio]

Gibraltar is really some weird place.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_SJ4s6UG-6z8/R27Qovmn25I/AAAAAAAABqg/VRxdABaaOZo/s720/PC102411.JPG

http://www.andalucia-travelguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/gibraltarrunway.jpg




.....


and .... my first guess would be Tokyo.

[Michael]

Gibraltar is really some weird place.
That 1st photo really shows the airport crossing!

And that 2nd photo of the 'rock' looks awesome.

and .... my first guess would be Tokyo.
And that would be correct.

[Malvolio]

The name of the city I'm looking for derived from the name of a local tribe and a river crossing. Many kings and emperors were also crowned in this city.

[Greendruid]

Gotta be Rheims or Reims.

[Malvolio]

Gotta be Rheims or Reims.

Not the correct answer, I'm afraid.

[Michael]

I'll guess Frankfurt (its got the tribe and the crossing, not too sure about lots of crowing going on there though)

[Malvolio]

I'll guess Frankfurt (its got the tribe and the crossing, not too sure about lots of crowing going on there though)

You got it right again.

The name of Frankfurt on Main (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main) is derived from the Franconofurd of the Germanic tribe (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germanic_peoples) of the Franks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franks); Furt (cf. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cf.) English (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language) ford (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_%28river%29)) where the river was shallow enough to be crossed by wading. Alemanni (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alemanni) and Franks lived there (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francia) and by 794 Charlemagne (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlemagne) presided over an imperial assembly (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_of_Frankfurt) and church synod, at which Franconofurd (-furt -vurd) was first mentioned.


Frankfurt was one of the most important cities in the Holy Roman Empire (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Roman_Empire). From 855 the German kings and emperors (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_German_Kings_and_Emperors) were elected in Frankfurt and crowned in Aachen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aachen). From 1562 the kings/emperors were also crowned in Frankfurt, Maximilian II (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximilian_II,_Holy_Roman_Emperor) being the first. This tradition ended in 1792, when Franz II (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_II,_Holy_Roman_Emperor) was elected. His coronation was deliberately held on Bastille Day (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastille_Day), 14 July, the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storming_of_the_Bastille). The elections and coronations took place in St. Bartholomäus cathedral (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankfurt_Cathedral), known as the Kaiserdom (en: Emperor's Cathedral), or in its predecessors.


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9b/Frankfurter_Dom_Eiserner_Steg.jpg/627px-Frankfurter_Dom_Eiserner_Steg.jpg
Kaiserdom

[Michael]

I never get tired of seeing pictures of European architecture! :)

And I didn't know the HRE's were crowned in Frankfurt - I knew they voted there, but I thought Aachen was it.

Anyway, here's the next challenge...

This large European city was founded around 1300 AD. It has had a turbulent history, much attacked, seiged and taken by various armies over the years. The city also has a couple of famous treaties named after it.

[Michael]

Okay, here's another clue... it was almost totally destroyed during WW2 (and since rebuilt). There was a military alliance named after this city at one time.

[Malvolio]

Nato? :lol:

[Donkey]

Is it Warsaw?

[Michael]

Is it Warsaw?
Warsaw is correct!

[Donkey]

Woot.

Because of it's altitude and latitude, this western hemisphere city has earned the nickname "The City of Eternal Spring."

[Michael]

I'll guess Lima.

[Donkey]

I'll guess Lima.

:eek: Clearly you've never been to Lima!

The weather in Lima is horrific. Cold, humid, always cloudy... ok, I guess that does sound sort of like some spring...

Further hints: This city is in the mountains and, in the eighties and nineties, was the headquarters for a major export industry of this country.

[Americano]

:eek: Clearly you've never been to Lima!

The weather in Lima is horrific. Cold, humid, always cloudy... ok, I guess that does sound sort of like some spring...

Further hints: This city is in the mountains and, in the eighties and nineties, was the headquarters for a major export industry of this country.

Hmmmm, sounds like cocaine. You're partial to Columbia but unfortunately I'm unfamiliar with that country's cities.

[The Sister]

Cuernavaca, Mexico?

[Michael]

Medelin? :D

[Donkey]

Cuernavaca, Mexico?
Hmm... I see that Cuernavaca also claims this title, but because of personal bias we're going to go with Michael's answer...
Medelin? :D
Medellin it is.

Quite a different place now than it was in the days of Escobar!

[Michael]

Hmm... I see that Cuernavaca also claims this title, but because of personal bias we're going to go with Michael's answer...

Medellin it is.

Quite a different place now than it was in the days of Escobar!
Is there anyone left alive there now?

Last I heard that town had a murder-violence rate that makes Mumbai hotels look like a playschool.

* * *

Next challenge: this city is one of the top ten most populous/largest cities on the planet. It began as a Portugeuse trading colony.

[Malvolio]

My first idea was Hong-Kong.

[Michael]

My first idea was Hong-Kong.
No, not Hong Kong, but its a pretty good guess. ;)

I'm pretty sure HK is Chinese-British origin.

And yes, the city we're looking for here is outside the NA-Europe zone.

[Greendruid]

Sao Paolo? (with a little squiggly thing over the "a" in Sao)

[Michael]

Sao Paolo? (with a little squiggly thing over the "a" in Sao)
Squiggly thing or not, its not the one. :)

Running out of top ten large cities! :D

[The Sister]

Mumbai, India

[Michael]

Mumbai, India
Correct!

Bombay actually, but that's beside the point. I figured this place seemed rather topical lately... ;)

You're up!

[The Sister]

Correct!

Bombay actually, but that's beside the point. I figured this place seemed rather topical lately... ;)

You're up!

Hurrah I finally got one :D

This is city is home to the original Ceasar Salad.

[Malvolio]

Hurrah I finally got one :D

This is city is home to the original Ceasar Salad.

Rome .... :D

[The Sister]

Rome .... :D

Great guess but wrong Ceasar - the name origin comes from the Hotel where it was first served - and here's a clue the hotel itself was more likely named after Caesar the Bull than Caesar the man!

[Multiplum]

Great guess but wrong Ceasar - the name origin comes from the Hotel where it was first served - and here's a clue the hotel itself was more likely named after Caesar the Bull than Caesar the man!

Oh, man, I have to guess this.

Is it New York?

[Michael]

Mexico City

(the salad is actually named for the chef who created it in back in the 1940's for some competition)

[The Sister]

Mexico City

(the salad is actually named for the chef who created it in back in the 1940's for some competition)

This is part of the right story but wrong Mexican City. An Italian immigrant, Alex Cardini invented for a gourmet competition at his hotel in Tijuana in the 1920's. (He won) Hotel Caesar exists today.

[Americano]

Tijuana, Mexico. We use Cardini's (the originator) Caesar Salad Dressing on a regular basis. There's nothing on the label but claiming the original recipe.

[The Sister]

Tijuana, Mexico. We use Cardini's (the originator) Caesar Salad Dressing on a regular basis. There's nothing on the label but claiming the original recipe.

Right on Americano - we must have been typing at the same time!

You're are up!

[Michael]

This is part of the right story but wrong Mexican City. An Italian immigrant, Alex Cardini invented for a gourmet competition at his hotel in Tijuana in the 1920's. (He won) Hotel Caesar exists today.
Ah yes... close. I knew I heard that story before. Memory getting fuzzy.

Too much :smoke: probably. ;)

[Multiplum]

Arf, the Waldorf Salad. That's the New York one.
Just to add that there IS a famous salad from New York. I am pretty stupid, though.

[The Sister]

Arf, the Waldorf Salad. That's the New York one.
Just to add that there IS a famous salad from New York. I am pretty stupid, though.

Made memorably famous by Jon Cleese/Basil Fawlty :lol: in the American Tourist episode of Fawlty Towers!

[Americano]

As it's 32° F here this AM am I thought this might be appropriate:

Which US city has the highest winter (December - February average) temperature?

[Dominick]

Miami ?

[Donkey]

I'm thinking Southwest or Hawaii...

Tucson?

[Michael]

I'll guess Honolulu.

[Americano]

I'll guess Honolulu.

The winner!!!!

I lived in Hawaii five years. The winter season weather (72.8°F [22.7C] average) was as close to perfect as I've ever experienced. Something the US masses never caught on to as they clung to tradition by taking summer vacations complete with heat, high humidity, rain, third-degree sunburns and cheap hotel rates.

[Michael]

Okay, our next challenge is a major US city (lower 48 only - excluding Alaska) that has the coldest annual temperature.

[Greendruid]

Gotta be something in the plains - I'm gonna guess St. Paul-Minneapolis, Minnesota. You said major and there aren't any major cities in North Dakota that I know of :lol: otherwise I would have said Fargo.

[Michael]

Gotta be something in the plains - I'm gonna guess St. Paul-Minneapolis, Minnesota. You said major and there aren't any major cities in North Dakota that I know of :lol: otherwise I would have said Fargo.
That's correct!

You're up!

[Michael]

Looks like the 24 rule applies here.

* * *

Here's another city challenge...

This city is the 2nd largest in Australia...

[Donkey]

Looks like the 24 rule applies here.

* * *

Here's another city challenge...

This city is the 2nd largest in Australia...
Sydney?

Or is that the largest. :ummm:

[Michael]

Sydney?

Or is that the largest. :ummm:
Sydney is the largest city in Oz.

[Malvolio]

Melbourne?

[Michael]

Melbourne?
Correct! (I figured this would be an easy one!)

[Malvolio]

Correct! (I figured this would be an easy one!)

it was .... ;)

Now the new one ... a prominent incident happened here that provoked a war.

[Donkey]

Er.... Sarajevo?

[Malvolio]

... that's not the one I'm looking for, I'm afraid.

The prominent incident I'm talking about involved an act of violence, but surprisingly nobody got killed as far as I know.

[Donkey]

... that's not the one I'm looking for, I'm afraid.

The prominent incident I'm talking about involved an act of violence, but surprisingly nobody got killed as far as I know.
I figured that one was too obvious...

Hmm.

[Malvolio]

.... a lot of people died in the following war, though.

[Michael]

Now the new one ... a prominent incident happened here that provoked a war.

I'll guess Worms.

Er.... Sarajevo?
That was the shot that was heard around the world!

[SMadsen]

it was .... ;)

Now the new one ... a prominent incident happened here that provoked a war.
That only leaves 124,567 cities .. well, give and take :)

[Malvolio]

That only leaves 124,567 cities .. well, give and take :)

So .... how about naming some of them. There are a couple of other hints. It's tough to give better hints without giving it away to easily. ;)

No it's neither Worms nor Sarajevo.

The war I'm talking about was a major war, that ... in it's course .... involved several European powers.

[Malvolio]

.... ok .... the incident I was talking about happend in the 17th century .... the city I'm looking for is much older, though. The area on which it was founded was settled in ancient times since the Paleolithic Age.

[Michael]

So .... how about naming some of them. There are a couple of other hints. It's tough to give better hints without giving it away to easily. ;)

No it's neither Worms nor Sarajevo.

The war I'm talking about was a major war, that ... in it's course .... involved several European powers.
I've thought of a half-dozen 17th century wars. I can't think of any that start with an "incident" in any city.

Btw, the 17th century was almost one big non-stop war in Europe...

[Malvolio]

I've thought of a half-dozen 17th century wars. I can't think of any that start with an "incident" in any city.

Btw, the 17th century was almost one big non-stop war in Europe...

Well ... let's see. The city has a long history and today has more than a million inhabitants. This "incident" happend at the city castle. According to the Guinness Book of Records, .... Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world.

[SMadsen]

Well ... let's see. The city has a long history and today has more than a million inhabitants. This "incident" happend at the city castle. According to the Guinness Book of Records, .... Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world.
Largest castle must be Prague Castle. The incident must then have been the Bohemian nothing-like-a-little-religious-dispute-to-set-things-off rebellion that lead to the 30 Years War? And the city, of course, Prague?

[Malvolio]

Largest castle must be Prague Castle. The incident must then have been the Bohemian nothing-like-a-little-religious-dispute-to-set-things-off rebellion that lead to the 30 Years War? And the city, of course, Prague?


Prague is correct. :)

The "incident" was the (second) Defenestration_of_Prague. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defenestration_of_Prague)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/be/Defenestration-prague-1618.jpg

It's your turn.

[Michael]

It's your turn.
To be thrown out the window? :eek:

[Malvolio]

To be thrown out the window? :eek:

:lol: ..............

[SMadsen]

This city has given name to a massacre on prominent political figures that took place in the central square and literally filled the streets with blood, hence the second part of the name of the massacre.

Originally founded on an island as a strategic protection from pillagers entering from the sea, prospering and growing to include more than a dozen islands as well as large parts of the mainland during the time of the Hanseatic League trade and beyond. Now home to a couple of million people if including the metro area.

[Michael]

I'll take a wild guess and say Copenhagen!

(Just because of the island reference and the Hanseatic League. I can't think of any 'massacres' that aren't named after some date) :ummm:

[Michael]

:lol: ..............
Politics sure was a lot more 'colorful' back in the old days! :D

[SMadsen]

I'll take a wild guess and say Copenhagen!

(Just because of the island reference and the Hanseatic League. I can't think of any 'massacres' that aren't named after some date) :ummm:
The massacre was a response from the Danish king who lived in Copenhagen; so you're pretty close. But it took place in another city in another country.

The couple of hundreds beheaded and otherwise executed people were separatists, or more correctly, anti-unionists, trying to split a union, the head of which was the Danish king (a separation that ironically succeeded greatly due to the event that was meant to be a deterrence).

[Dominick]

The massacre was a response from the Danish king who lived in Copenhagen; so you're pretty close. But it took place in another city in another country.

The couple of hundreds beheaded and otherwise executed people were separatists, or more correctly, anti-unionists, trying to split a union, the head of which was the Danish king (a separation that ironically succeeded greatly due to the event that was meant to be a deterrence).
Stockholm then ?

[SMadsen]

Stockholm then ?
Stockholm it is!

And the Stockholm Bloodbath (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_Bloodbath) was the event I referred to.

Great city, by the way. I know of no other city where the cleanest trout and biggest salmon can be hauled out of the water in the midst of it all.

Your turn.

[Michael]

Dominick seems to be rather consistent in his pattern here... :rolleyes:

Here's a new challenge...

This city is a national capital that is at the highest elevation in the world.

[The Sister]

....Katmandu

[Donkey]

La Paz, Bolivia?

[Michael]

....Katmandu

La Paz, Bolivia?
Neither are correct.

Surprisingly, Katmandu isn't very high up at all.

I'll give a hint and say that ONE of these guesses is on the correct continent.

[Donkey]

Are we counting Lhasa?

[Michael]

La Paz, Bolivia?
Actually, this is correct.

My apologies for calling it incorrect earlier.

(my source said Bogata was the highest - then I checked the elevation of La Paz vs Bogata and found the original source was incorrect)

[Michael]

Are we counting Lhasa?
I would say no, since it is not a national capital, only a provincial capital.

[Donkey]

Actually, this is correct.

My apologies for calling it incorrect earlier.

(my source said Bogata was the highest - then I checked the elevation of La Paz vs Bogata and found the original source was incorrect)
Woot!

(Though Bogota was high enough for the Colombians to get all riled up when they said they couldn't play FIFA games there. Even though I think they play a lot of their home games away from the capital anyway. :ummm:)

The city I am thinking of is the largest (most populous) in the world that is not accessible by road.

[Michael]

The city I am thinking of is the largest (most populous) in the world that is not accessible by road.
Gosh, that's kind of you to give us such an easy challenge... :ummm:

[Greendruid]

The city I am thinking of is the largest (most populous) in the world that is not accessible by road.

... from where? If it's a city there must be roads in it. Presumably these roads lead to somewhere outside the city. Please clarify.

[Donkey]

... from where? If it's a city there must be roads in it. Presumably these roads lead to somewhere outside the city. Please clarify.
From anywhere. :p

Well, presumably there are little villages and stuff, but you definitely couldn't drive there from here.

It's in South America, easily accessible by plane, slightly less easily by river.

[Michael]

Miccha Pichu?

[Donkey]

Sorry I blipped off the radar for a couple of days.

The city is (relatively) deep in the Amazon jungle. If nobody gets it I can think up another challenge. :)

[Americano]

Sorry I blipped off the radar for a couple of days.

The city is (relatively) deep in the Amazon jungle. If nobody gets it I can think up another challenge. :)

This sentence is my entire knowledge base of the Amazon Jungle. I can spell it.

[Malvolio]

Iquitos ... I had to consult Wikipedia, though. ;)

[Donkey]

Iquitos ... I had to consult Wikipedia, though. ;)

That is correct! :)

All my friends went to it when we were in Peru. The cost of the trip (unlike the one to Machu Picchu) didn't seem worth it. Half a year later and I was deep in the jungle anyway, and this version wasn't "canned."

[Malvolio]

The centre of the city I'm looking for is also closed to traffic, only buses, taxis and residents with appropriate permits are allowed in. Nevertheless it attracts millions of tourists each year and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the 1980ies. The justification report of that declaration starts with "This unique cultural property should with every good reason have figured among the first lists of the World Heritage List and any justification would be both impertinent and derisory."

[Michael]

I'll guess Rome (I'm guessing that the Vatican city is closed off to normal traffic).

(my fallback guess is going to be Jerusalem).

[Malvolio]

I'll guess Rome (I'm guessing that the Vatican city is closed off to normal traffic).

(my fallback guess is going to be Jerusalem).

no .... neither of them. I'm sorry.

For the record .... not the whole city is closed to traffic, just the historic city center.

[Americano]

no .... neither of them. I'm sorry.

For the record .... not the whole city is closed to traffic, just the historic city center.

That covers a lot of European city centers.

[Malvolio]

It once was also an important center of trade and finance .... some say that double-entry accounting was invented here.

[Michael]

Double-entry bookkeeping? That sounds like Florence.

[Malvolio]

BINGO !!! :)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/79/Florence_skyline.jpg/800px-Florence_skyline.jpg

[Michael]

Okay for our next challenge...

This 'much maligned' city was the first city to have electrical-powered street lighting.

[Dominick]

Okay for our next challenge...

This 'much maligned' city was the first city to have electrical-powered street lighting.
That's Paris. It helps reading many Russian novels (inventor was a Russian).

[SMadsen]

I would have thought it followed the invention of the electrical lightbulb and therefore be a city in USA.

[Michael]

That's Paris. It helps reading many Russian novels (inventor was a Russian).

I would have thought it followed the invention of the electrical lightbulb and therefore be a city in USA.

Dominick is correct.

Actually, Cleveland Ohio was the city I was going for (my US source lists it as the first - which is where the "much maligned" clue comes from) but upon checking Dominick's answer, I found that Paris edges out Cleveland by one year (1878 vs 1879).

Dominick is up.

[Dominick]

Here's a bit of a challenge:

This city is old, at least 2,350 years. During that time it has been completely destroyed by human and natural causes quite a few times but re-emerged every time. At one time, about a millennium ago, and for about a century it was the largest city in the world.

It's best known for two things:
It had a very early Jewish community (pre-Christian) in a region, a vast region, that otherwise had no such communities, which was logical considering the remoteness from Judea.
And from which I know it : it's the home of an impressive astronomical device, mechanized, automated and power-driven that didn't have its equal until at least six centuries later with Tycho Brache and arguably even until the 20th century.

[Michael]

I'll guess Alexandria.

[Dominick]

I'll guess Alexandria.
Nope. Much farther away from Judea, at least by a factor of ten.
It's difficult. Just keep guessing and I'll provide plenty hints.

[Michael]

Okay, fallback guess is Cordova (Spain).

[SMadsen]

I'll try the opposite direction. Like on the trading routes to Asia such as Kabul or Herat. As for natural disasters, it would then be earthquakes. I have no idea what the astronomical contraption would be, though.

Is it Kabul?

[Dominick]

SMadsen is on the right track but still has to travel several thousands miles further in that direction. The natural disasters were typically flooding, although the city is landlocked. Think BIG river and BIG flooding plains.

Erratum : I misread an "AD". The Jewish community is not pre-Christian. Sorry about that. :o

[Donkey]

Could it be Dhaka?

[SMadsen]

Erratum : I misread an "AD". The Jewish community is not pre-Christian. Sorry about that. :o
Ohhh, that changes everything! :D

:cool:

[Dominick]

Not Dhaka. Get rid of that Western bias ;) The summum of astronomy was not in mud-ridden, plague-infested, Church-suffering Europe in the 11th century. It was much much to the East. This city is one of the seven 'Ancient Capitals' of the vast region referred to earlier.

[SMadsen]

Like a Cambodia-ancient-capital-much-to-the-east kinda place? :ummm:

[Michael]

I'd guess a city in China... the Jewish clue reminds me of a city that I can't name - I remember there is one old 'silk-road' city in China with an old established Jewish community... (also a big Jewish community in Ethiopia oddly enough)

[SMadsen]

I'd guess a city in China... the Jewish clue reminds me of a city that I can't name - I remember there is one old 'silk-road' city in China with an old established Jewish community... (also a big Jewish community in Ethiopia oddly enough)
Oh, that kind of 'ancient capital'. Hmm, river, silk, must be a Hanchou kind of thing.

[Michael]

I checked out a list of cities over 100,000 population in the year 1000.

Kaifeng is my guess - Hanan Province.

[Dominick]

Correct. :)
Check out the astronomy thingie. Mighty impressive for the 11th century.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armillary_sphere#Development_in_East_Asia

[Michael]

Correct. :)
Check out the astronomy thingie. Mighty impressive for the 11th century.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armillary_sphere#Development_in_East_Asia
Wow! That really is amazing technology (precision metalworking).

Kinda like that 10th century printing press the Chinese invented too. They never quite figured out what to do with it though, so it sat in some palace and was used only to print Royal Invitations.

***

Next challenge: This city is said to be the 'fastest growing city in the world'.

[SMadsen]

Next challenge: This city is said to be the 'fastest growing city in the world'.
Dubai City?

Or is that the fastest growing backdrop in the world? :)

[Michael]

Dubai City?
Bingo!

Or is that the fastest growing backdrop in the world? :)
Nah, just the fastest growing magazine photo spread. ;)

I suspect that we are about 5 years away from hearing all the hidden horror stories about the bulding of the place.

[SMadsen]

Cool, got it in first guess :)

Here's an easy one. A few words should do: Fog, disaster, hills and progressive lifestyles.

[Michael]

Cool, got it in first guess :)

Here's an easy one. A few words should do: Fog, disaster, hills and progressive lifestyles.

Hmm... I'll guess San Francisco - except I don't think they get fog. They famously have all the rest though!

[Americano]

Hmm... I'll guess San Francisco - except I don't think they get fog. They famously have all the rest though!

My favorite city gets serious fog. I lived there. Some great memories of it rolling in underneath the Golden Gate Bridge.

[SMadsen]

Hmm... I'll guess San Francisco - except I don't think they get fog. They famously have all the rest though!
Correct!

Fog, mist, haze .. I'm not sure if the fog that drifts in from sea is called something special in English. But I think it's fairly common there. I've experienced it myself and have to say it's a spectacular scenery when approaching the Golden Gate from the north when it's partly covered by a low creeping fog.

[drgoodtrips]

My favorite city gets serious fog. I lived there. Some great memories of it rolling in underneath the Golden Gate Bridge.

What I find interesting about San Francisco is how you can leave the Bay and drive for 15 minutes and experience a 10-15 degree climb in temperature. It'll be foggy and 60 in the city, and then you get 15 minutes east, and it's suddenly a perfect day outside.

[Americano]

What I find interesting about San Francisco is how you can leave the Bay and drive for 15 minutes and experience a 10-15 degree climb in temperature. It'll be foggy and 60 in the city, and then you get 15 minutes east, and it's suddenly a perfect day outside.

The bay effect, no A/C required.

[Michael]

Correct!
Sorry, I missed this. :o

Here's a new challenge...

How about the largest city founded/originated by Sweden, but outside of Sweden?

[SMadsen]

SoHow about the largest city founded/originated by Sweden, but outside of Sweden?
Hmm, my first guess would either be somewhere in Estonia or a bit further away, in Argentina.

[Michael]

Hmm, my first guess would either be somewhere in Estonia or a bit further away, in Argentina.
Neither of your first guesses are particularly good ones. :D

Estonia is closer than Argentina though...

[Greendruid]

I know the Swedes were involved in the Gold Coast slave trade in present-day Ghana. Although they didn't establish the modern capital of Accra, they had establish a few smaller towns and cities on the coast. Am I warm?

[Michael]

I know the Swedes were involved in the Gold Coast slave trade in present-day Ghana. Although they didn't establish the modern capital of Accra, they had establish a few smaller towns and cities on the coast. Am I warm?
That's tricky trying to decide if Ghana is closer to Estonia or Argentina! :D

Estonia is still the closest.

[Michael]

Hint: Russia

[Dominick]

Hint: Russia
Are you talking Swedes or Goths ?

[Michael]

Are you talking Swedes or Goths ?
Swedes or Goths, call them what you will.

Post 5th/6th century AD migrations.

[Michael]

Well, the answer was intended to be Novgorod but the veracity of the Sagas is in question since there is no archeological proof. Novgorod (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veliky_Novgorod)

* * *

Here's a new challenge:

This city is the second largest city in its country and is famous for neoclassical architecture and the 'grand manner' in urban design.

[Malvolio]

Well, the answer was intended to be Novgorod but the veracity of the Sagas is in question since there is no archeological proof. Novgorod (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veliky_Novgorod)

* * *

Here's a new challenge:

This city is the second largest city in its country and is famous for neoclassical architecture and the 'grand manner' in urban design.


St Petersburg? :ummm:

[Michael]

St Petersburg? :ummm:
Indeed it is.