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Where on Earth...? Follow the clues to figure out what geographic region is shown in this image, and then answer the questions about the place for a chance to win the MISR Mystery Image contest. Submit your answers in the answer form no later than midnight, Pacific Daylight Time on November 3, 2010.

This image was acquired by the Multi-angle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR) on NASA’s Terra satellite. Most of the landmass falls within a named geographic region. This region is defined by its political boundaries within a larger country, and may be a state, a province, a department, or similar entity. These questions refer to this geographic region. You may use any reference materials you like to answer them.

From the statements below, please indicate which ones are True or False:

1. 1) Although rich in many natural resources, excessive mining during the previous century has nearly depleted the natural supply of gold in this region.
2. 2) Within the mountainous area in the southwest quadrant of this image is a location noted for religious worship that has continued for several millennia.
3. 3) Sedimentation and industrial pollution in the river whose outlet is near the top of the image has dampened the economy of this region due to the resulting dramatic reduction in shipping.
4. 4) The name of one of the major cities in this region—also the name of a brand of beer—evokes a verdant locale; a nearby winery is noted for its prize-winning Chardonnay.
5. 5) Rapid population development, as seen in the rim areas, has resulted in the proliferation of Phragmites australis, raising international concerns over the deterioration of the local ecosystem.
6. 6) The delta mouth formed by the large sediment-laden river in the image is an example of a well-preserved wetland ecosystem, and is used as a “transfer station” for millions of migrating birds, including several rare species.
7. 7) A city located within the pictured region is the site of a major oilfield and is one of the world’s leading producers of rubber tires.

Email your answers, name (initials are acceptable if you prefer), and your hometown by the quiz deadline of midnight, Pacific Daylight Time, November 3, 2010, to the quiz answer form.

Answers will be published on the MISR web site. The names and hometowns of respondents who answer all questions correctly by the deadline will also be published in the order responses were received. The first 3 people on this list who are not affiliated with NASA, JPL, or MISR and who have not previously won a prize will be sent a print of the image.

A new “Where on Earth...?” mystery will appear on the MISR quiz section periodically. MISR was built and managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA for NASA and flies on the Terra satellite. The Terra satellite is managed by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD. JPL is a division of the California Institute of Technology.

Image courtesy NASA/GSFC/LaRC/JPL, MISR Team. Caption by Karen Yuen and Amber Jenkins, JPL.