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Where Knowledge Junkies Get Their Fix
While perusing an old puzzle book recently, I came across a challenge that asked readers to name the five European nations whose names end with the letter Y. (Short pause as you come up with those.) As smart as you people are, I knew it wouldn’t suffice as Brain Game material, but I stole the idea employed the concept to devise a more difficult version. Enjoy!
On the European continent,
FIFTEEN independent nations have names
that end with the two-letter sequence “IA.”
Can you name 8 or more of them?
Here are the ANSWERS.
Comments (18)
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14.5/15 – stupid Macedonia… I didn’t think Bosnia counted because that’s not it’s proper name, but I couldn’t come up with anything else. :)
Good one, Sandy! I couldn’t believe that there were 15 until I started working my way through it. But this would have been a lot easier in 1990!
posted by John on 6-25-2009 at 7:58 am
russia is asia
posted by helen on 6-25-2009 at 8:24 am
It’s both, Helen. The eastern part of Russia is in Asia, but the western part (including Moscow) is considered part of Europe.
Having said that, when I learned geography in the 1970s, we were taught that everything from the USSR eastward was Asia. So it’s taken me a while to figure out which of the former Soviet states are now Asia, Europe, or (as in Russia’s case) split between two continents.
posted by Sandy Wood on 6-25-2009 at 8:50 am
Missed Albania and Armenia(Damn Caucusus).
posted by Bill on 6-25-2009 at 8:59 am
Armenia and Georgia are generally considered part of asia.
posted by Mortal Light on 6-25-2009 at 8:59 am
I missed Armenia, Georgia, and Lithuania.
posted by Zach on 6-25-2009 at 9:02 am
They are on some lists but not others, ML. That’s why, to be safe, I made my list the maximum length (15) and suggested 8 correct as a winning score. It sounds like you know your geography, though, so I’m sure you scored well.
posted by Sandy Wood on 6-25-2009 at 9:30 am
What about Italia? :)
posted by Nick on 6-25-2009 at 9:52 am
Before I got the geography ball rolling in my head, I was prepared to cheat with Italia.
posted by Jessica on 6-25-2009 at 9:54 am
Armenia is in the Caucusus region, Albania is on the Western border of Greece and Macedonia.
posted by Andrea on 6-25-2009 at 10:33 am
Most geographers consider the Caucasus mountains to be the geographical border of Europe. By that definition Armenia is in Asia because it is entirely south of the Caucasus. Georgia and Azerbaijan both straddle the Caucasus range and are arguably in the small class of bi-continental countries along with Turkey, Russia, and Egypt.
posted by Fred on 6-25-2009 at 11:08 am
Uh oh, I better do a quick study of the -stan countries. I feel that one coming up.
posted by EV on 6-25-2009 at 11:14 am
14/15 –
Missed Albania. Wasn’t sure if Bosnia counted (thought it was Bosnia-Herzegovina), but I had it anyway.
I also came up with “Italia”, even though I didn’t think it would be counted.
posted by John on 6-25-2009 at 11:58 am
Oops, make it 13.5/15.5 – I missed Bulgaria too!
I got too hung up on former Soviet and Yugoslav countries that I missed 2 “oldies”!
posted by John on 6-25-2009 at 12:04 pm
Surprised how well I did when I don’t think I’m very geographically inclined. Good quiz!
posted by Hyacinth on 6-25-2009 at 12:26 pm
Missed Armenia and Georgia, too.
I thought I had the list but had included Bosnia (wasn’t sure if they still included the Herzegovina part) and put an i into Moldova.
I, too, wondered if Italia was going to be on the final list and if there were other countries that might qualify when written in their own language(s).
posted by Gary on 6-25-2009 at 12:33 pm
Funnily, I (only) forgot Russia (in place, I said Bosnia).
posted by Erica on 6-29-2009 at 7:39 am
I included Armenia & Georgia even though I know they are Asian nations. Missed only Macedonia.
posted by Hugh on 7-11-2009 at 2:36 pm