Colombia prepares to explore sunken treasure ship

Feb. 26, 2024

Q: Colombia’s government said it will send robotic equipment 2,000 feet below the surface of the ocean to explore the wreckage of the San Jose, a galleon that sank in 1708 with treasure believed to be now worth about $17 billion. Where is Colombia on the northwest corner of South America?

Circle the area on this map

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Q: Carrying a cargo of gold, sliver and emeralds, the San Jose sank during a battle with British warships off of Colombia’s northern coast in which body of water?

A. Caribbean Sea

B. Drake Passage

C. Gulf of Mexico

D. Sea of Cortez

Q: It is believed the silver and gold on the treasure ship was mined by forced Native American labor in what is now Bolivia. Like Colombia, Bolivia was part of the Spanish Empire in the 18th Century. Which of Colombia’s modern neighbors was NOT ruled by Spain?

A. Brazil

B. Ecuador

C. Peru

D. Venezeula

Q: United Nations officials called on Colombia not to commercially exploit the wreckage of the San Jose. But, Colombia is one of 13 UN members which has not ratified the Convention on the Law of the Sea. What is the largest nation that has not ratified that law?

A. Brazil

B. China

C. Russia

D. United States

Q: The location of the San Jose shipwreck is a state secret. In 2015, Colombia located and photographed the wreckage with the help of an underwater autonomous vehicle operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in the United States. Where is Woods Hole?

A. California

B. Florida

C. Massachusetts

D. Virginia

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Answers for this quiz: Click here