Question 1: We’re in the Dolomites. In which country is this mountain range?
- Italy
- France
- Spain
Answer: Italy
Fact: The Dolomites, located in northeastern Italy, span over 6,000 square miles and are part of the Italian Alps. While the Apennines extend along the length of the Italian peninsula, the Alps form its northern boundary. Among the notable peaks are the Matterhorn in the west and the pale-colored Dolomites in the east.
Question 2: What optical effect gives the Dolomite peaks their pinkish glow?
- Alpenglow
- Oxidation
- Volcanic reflection
Answer: Alpenglow
Fact: In Italy’s Dolomites, a rare phenomenon known as alpenglow—called enrosadira in Italian—casts a soft pink light on the ancient coral peaks during sunrise and sunset. This optical effect happens when the sun is just below the horizon. The term enrosadira, which means “turning pink,” comes from Ladin, the region’s ancient Latin-based language still spoken today.
Question 3: Denali, the highest peak in North America, is part of which mountain range?
- Cascade Range
- Alaska Range
- Sierra Nevada
Answer: Alaska Range
Fact: The Alaska Range spans 600 miles across southcentral Alaska, extending from Lake Clark to the Yukon Territory in Canada. It includes Denali, the tallest peak in North America, and forms a rugged spine across the Alaskan landscape as part of the vast American Cordillera.