- 1. This exam will test your knowledge of Planina, a village located in the municipality of Postojna in southwestern Slovenia. Planina is renowned for its karst landscape and natural attractions. What is the primary geographical feature Planina is known for?
A) Coastal cliffs
B) Alpine meadows
C) Volcanic craters
D) Karst landscape
- 2. Planina is situated within the municipality of Postojna. Which country is Postojna municipality located in?
A) Croatia
B) Italy
C) Austria
D) Slovenia
- 3. The karst landscape of Planina is characterized by specific geological formations. What is a common feature found in karst regions like Planina?
A) Glacial valleys
B) Geysers
C) Sinkholes
D) Sand dunes
- 4. Planina is closely associated with the famous Postojna Cave. What type of geological formation is the Postojna Cave?
A) Ice cave
B) Salt cave
C) Limestone cave
D) Lava tube
- 5. The Postojna Cave system is one of the most extensive in Slovenia. Which of these is a well-known inhabitant of the Postojna Cave, often referred to as the 'baby dragon'?
A) Olm
B) Cave spider
C) Blind salamander
D) Bioluminescent fungi
- 6. The Postojna Cave is accessible to visitors via a special mode of transport. What is it?
A) Underground train
B) Cable car
C) Boat
D) Mine cart
- 7. Near Planina and Postojna, there is a significant medieval castle built on a cliff. What is the name of this castle?
A) Ljubljana Castle
B) Predjama Castle
C) Otočec Castle
D) Bled Castle
- 8. Predjama Castle is famously built into the mouth of a cave. This unique architectural feature is a major tourist attraction in the region.
A) On a river island
B) Into a cave mouth
C) Atop a volcano
D) Within a forest canopy
- 9. The name 'Planina' in Slovenian can refer to a mountain or a plateau. What does the name 'Postojna' likely derive from?
A) A mythological creature
B) A type of mineral found there
C) A famous historical figure
D) Its position or location
- 10. The region around Planina and Postojna is known for its underground rivers. What process often leads to the formation of underground rivers in karst areas?
A) Wind weathering
B) Glacial erosion
C) Dissolution of limestone
D) Volcanic activity
- 11. The Postojna region is part of a larger geological area in Slovenia. What is this area predominantly composed of?
A) Limestone and dolomite
B) Granite
C) Sandstone
D) Basalt
- 12. Which of the following is a characteristic sound one might associate with the underground river systems in the karst landscape of Planina?
A) Echoing drips and flowing water
B) Roaring of waves
C) Rustling leaves
D) Whistling wind
- 13. The tourist infrastructure around Planina and Postojna is well-developed to cater to visitors. What is a common activity for tourists in this region besides visiting caves?
A) Skiing
B) Hiking and exploring nature
C) Surfing
D) Camel riding
- 14. The climate in Planina, Postojna generally experiences distinct seasons. What type of climate is typical for this inland region of Slovenia?
A) Arctic
B) Temperate continental
C) Mediterranean
D) Tropical rainforest
- 15. What is the primary reason for the unique geological formations like caves and sinkholes in the Planina and Postojna area?
A) Frequent earthquakes
B) Heavy rainfall
C) The presence of soluble rock (limestone)
D) Strong winds
- 16. The Postojna Cave system is a protected natural heritage. What is the approximate total length of the known passages in the Postojna Cave system?
A) Less than 5 kilometers
B) Exactly 10 kilometers
C) Over 20 kilometers
D) Over 50 kilometers
- 17. Which body of water is often associated with the underground river systems originating or flowing through the Planina region?
A) The Sava River
B) The Adriatic Sea
C) The Danube River
D) The Pivka River
- 18. Planina is a village, and Postojna is a municipality. What is the primary economic activity that drives tourism in this region?
A) Industrial tourism
B) Cave tourism
C) Medical tourism
D) Agricultural tourism
- 19. The Postojna Cave is home to several stalactites and stalagmites. What are these formations made of?
A) Iron oxide
B) Calcite (calcium carbonate)
C) Gypsum
D) Quartz
- 20. Which of these is NOT a typical feature of a karst landscape like the one found in Planina?
A) Active volcanoes
B) Caves
C) Underground rivers
D) Sinkholes
- 21. The region around Planina, Postojna is also known for its biodiversity, particularly in its underground ecosystems. What makes cave ecosystems unique?
A) High levels of oxygen
B) Absence of sunlight and stable conditions
C) Abundant plant life
D) Constant changes in temperature
- 22. What is the geological process called where water erodes and dissolves soluble rock, leading to the formation of caves?
A) Karstification
B) Volcanism
C) Glaciation
D) Erosion
- 23. The Postojna Cave is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Slovenia. Approximately how many visitors does it receive annually?
A) Exactly one million
B) Over a million
C) Around fifty thousand
D) Less than ten thousand
- 24. Which historical event is famously linked to Predjama Castle due to its strategic location and hidden passages?
A) The invention of the printing press
B) The siege of Erasmus of Lueg
C) The Battle of Austerlitz
D) The construction of the Roman Empire
- 25. What natural phenomenon can be observed in the Postojna Cave that creates stunning visual displays?
A) Aurora borealis
B) Geothermal hot springs
C) Bioluminescent algae
D) Speleothems (stalactites and stalagmites)
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