Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 3/20/2007

Question
QUESTION: Maybe you can help me with these questions.

The forerunner of the United Nations was the

a. Atlantic Charter
b. Allied Forces
c. League of Nations
d. NATO

I've been told c. but I can't find that in my history book.


The military alliance founded by Western nations to counteract communism in Europe was called

a. NATO
b. ANZUS
c. SEATO
d. OAS

In my history book NATO is the only one that comes close, but never quite says this though.

The monetary value of all goods and services of a country is known as its

a. NEP
b. FLN
c. OPEC
d. GNP

The only GNP in my history book I can find stands for GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICY. That is not it, but on the internet I found GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT. That sounds more like it.

ANSWER: UN question is c, but in a way it is also b., since it grew out of the Alliance against Germany etc.
Next one is a. (NATO). Next is d. (GNP = Gross national product).


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Do you know where I can find info regarding the "industrial heart" of Europe? I believe it was you that answered the question:

The industrial heart of europe is located in the

oder plain
rhine basin
swiss alps
ruhr valley

I can not find this info. People say Ruhr Valley but again, this is really hard to find in my history book.

Thank you

Answer
The Ruhr (river) valley definitely is such a heart. However there are industries around and along the Rhine river too (Rhine basin) and even around in the Swiss Alps. The Rhine starts close to the Swiss Alps and the Ruhr river is a tributary to the Rhine (look at a map) so in fact they all hang together! But write the Ruhr!