Q 01/05

The Rhine empties into which sea?

A) The Baltic Sea

B) The North Sea

C) The Mediterranean Sea

D) The Black Sea

Answer · why

B) The North Sea

After running north through Germany it swings west across the Netherlands to the delta around Rotterdam.

Q 02/05

The Rhine begins in which Swiss canton?

A) Graubünden

B) Valais

C) Ticino

D) Glarus

Answer · why

A) Graubünden

Its two headstreams, the Anterior and Posterior Rhine, meet at Reichenau to form the Alpine Rhine.

Q 03/05

Roughly how long is the Rhine?

A) 1,500 km

B) 2,000 km

C) 3,000 km

D) 1,230 km

Answer · why

D) 1,230 km

That makes it the second-longest river in Central and Western Europe after the Danube, draining 185,000 square kilometres.

Q 04/05

The Rhine's name derives from Rēnos, a word from which ancient language?

A) Latin

B) Gaulish

C) Old Norse

D) Greek

Answer · why

B) Gaulish

It comes from a root meaning 'to flow', shared with Italy's river Reno; the 'Rh' spelling is a Greek habit.

Q 05/05

Which lake, source of the Anterior Rhine near the Oberalp Pass, is usually named the Rhine's source?

A) Lake Constance (Bodensee)

B) Lake Zurich (Zürichsee)

C) Lake Walen (Walensee)

D) Lai da Tuma (Tomasee)

Answer · why

D) Lai da Tuma (Tomasee)

It sits at 2,345 metres; the Posterior Rhine starts from the Paradies Glacier below the Rheinwaldhorn.