Are you referring to general direction, or the actual Panama Canal's direction?
M

The journey is roughly north west in direction.
Oh yeah, and "up." The canal has a water locking system that takes ships above sea level.

Can you tell I have always hated multiple choice?

theresa

Right, sixpense! And it does go up, but then back down -- sea level at both ends, right?

And, yes, m0narch, I was looking for the actual direction of the canal, since it's not what you'd expect just thinking of where the two major bodies of water are.

Next question: which is farther west, Reno or Los Angeles?

Yes, well I thought the "back down" bit sort of went without saying

Um, I have no idea which is further west, but I would guess Reno, just to follow the general pattern of these questions

Though if I were standing at a point in between Reno and LA, wouldn't LA be farther west relative to me? So it really depends on point of view.

theresa <---thinks she's so friggin' smart.

Yes! Reno is, in fact, farther west. This is true regardless of where you happen to be standing. L.A. is almost due south of Reno, so if you were standing halfway between, Reno would be just slightly west of due north of you and L.A. would be just slightly east of due south of you.

Next question: if you traveled from Detroit to the closest part of Canada, your direction of travel would be.... ?

I see. Once again absolute/objective thought clashes with relative/subjective thought. And objectivity is absolutely certain of its victory Curses!

However, if I were standing precisely in between LA and Reno, and I travelled due north and then due west to reach Reno I would only have to travel west for a short distance. From the same innitial spot, if I travelled due south and then due west to reach LA, I would have to travel west until I came almost all the way around the globe. From this perspective, might one not consider LA further west relative to the innitial position?

Sorry, I don't know the answer to your next question... but maybe I will guess. Southeast.

theresa

Good guess -- I'll take it! It's closer to due south, but you got the idea.

I respect subjective thought and don't take a logical positivist approach to science, but it seems to me that matters like compass directions are pretty cut and dried. Creative interpretation, though, Theresa. I like it.

Next question: Ulan Bator, Outer Mongolia, is the coldest national capital in the world, in terms of average temperature for the year. Second coldest is.... ?

Rekjavik? Guessy guess guess.

theresa

What is Nuuk? (capital of Greenland)

no, and no -- keep trying!