Question 1: Today’s image features Torres del Paine National Park. Where is it?
- Chile
- Peru
- Ecuador
Answer: Chile
Fact: Torres del Paine National Park, located in Chilean Patagonia, is a rugged landscape of glaciers, lakes, and sharp granite peaks. Covering more than 448,000 acres, the park was established in 1959 and is renowned for its towering granite formations, shaped over millions of years by glacial forces. It features several glaciers—Grey, Tyndall, and Dickson—all part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Recognized for its ecological and geological significance, the park is designated both a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and an IUGS Geological Heritage Site.
Question 2: Which animal is the top predator in Torres del Paine National Park?
- Puma
- South Andean deer
- Guanaco
Answer: Puma
Fact: The puma, also known as the mountain lion, is a solitary predator capable of leaping up to 18 feet in a single bound and reaching speeds of 50 miles per hour. Its primary prey is the guanaco, though it also hunts hares and birds. The park’s open landscape and protected status create an ideal environment for pumas, making it one of the top locations to observe them in their natural habitat.
Question 3: Where does the Paine River originate?
- Nordenskjöld Lake
- Lake Pehoé
- Dickson Lake
Answer: Dickson Lake
Fact: Dickson Lake, located in the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, is a glacial lake fed by meltwater from Dickson Glacier and forms the headwaters of the Paine River. Its vivid turquoise hue is due to the presence of glacial silt. Situated along the renowned O Circuit trekking route, the lake provides breathtaking views of nearby peaks and glaciers. Strong winds and shifting ice continually reshape its shoreline.