What started the 1859 Pig War?

An American shot a British-owned pig

San Juan Islands Quiz: Orcas, Ferries and Friday Harbor

This San Juan Islands quiz sails from Anacortes into the island chain of northwest Washington. Play an interactive set of 10 questions on Orcas Island and Mount Constitution, Friday Harbor, Lopez Island, Washington State Ferries, the Pig War, English Camp, Lime Kiln Point, Southern Resident orcas and the rain shadow.

Start San Juan Islands Quiz

🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

State
Which US state are the San Juan Islands in?
Sea
Which body of water surrounds the islands?
Ferry
Which town do most ferries leave from?
Largest
Which island is the largest by area?
Peak
Which peak gives views over the islands?
Town
What is the main town on San Juan Island?
War
What started the 1859 Pig War?
Settle
Who settled the Pig War boundary dispute?
Whales
Where is a famous spot to watch orcas from shore?
Sun
Why are the islands sunnier than Seattle?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: Which US state are the San Juan Islands in?
Answer: Washington
They lie near the Canadian border.
Q2: Which body of water surrounds the islands?
Answer: The Salish Sea
It includes Puget Sound.
Q3: Which town do most ferries leave from?
Answer: Anacortes
Washington State Ferries run the route.
Q4: Which island is the largest by area?
Answer: Orcas Island
It is shaped like a horseshoe.
Q5: Which peak gives views over the islands?
Answer: Mount Constitution
A stone tower stands on top.
Q6: What is the main town on San Juan Island?
Answer: Friday Harbor
Ferries dock there.
Q7: What started the 1859 Pig War?
Answer: An American shot a British-owned pig
No people were killed.
Q8: Who settled the Pig War boundary dispute?
Answer: The German Kaiser as arbiter
The ruling came in 1872.
Q9: Where is a famous spot to watch orcas from shore?
Answer: Lime Kiln Point
It is called Whale Watch Park.
Q10: Why are the islands sunnier than Seattle?
Answer: They lie in a rain shadow
Mountains block much rain.

San Juan Islands Quiz – Orcas, Ferries and Friday Harbor

The San Juan Islands lie in the Salish Sea in northwest Washington, reached by Washington State Ferries from Anacortes. They sit in a rain shadow, so they are sunnier than nearby Seattle.

Orcas Island is the largest, with views from Mount Constitution, while Friday Harbor is the main town on San Juan Island. Lopez Island is flat and popular with cyclists.

In 1859 a dead pig sparked the Pig War, a standoff between the United States and Britain that ended without casualties after German arbitration in 1872. Today Lime Kiln Point is a famous place to watch orcas from shore.

What This Quiz Teaches

Travel fans will enjoy these questions.

Where the islands are
How to get there
Which islands to visit
What the Pig War was
Where to see whales

Did You Know?

English Camp and American Camp are now park sites.
Southern Resident orcas live in family pods.
Kayaking is a popular way to explore.
Bald eagles nest on many islands.
Ferries can fill up on summer weekends.