Pop culture · October 17, 2026
Puzzle #9 answers
The five places from Where Was It? Pop culture #9, and the story behind each one.
- 01
Film
These 14-metre letters originally advertised a 1923 real-estate development.
Hollywood Sign, Los Angeles, USA
Gnaphron · CC BY-SA 2.0 The sign first read 'HOLLYWOODLAND'. The last four letters were removed in 1949 when it was restored to represent the district.
34.134, -118.322
- 02
Music
Shakira was born in this Caribbean port, home to one of the world's biggest carnivals.
Barranquilla, Colombia
Jdvillalobos · CC BY 3.0 Shakira grew up in Barranquilla, which unveiled a 6.5-metre statue of her in 2023 on the Magdalena River waterfront.
10.969, -74.781
- 03
Film
This red desert valley stood in for Mars in The Martian and for Arrakis in Dune.
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0 Wadi Rum has hosted desert shoots since Lawrence of Arabia (1962), and later The Martian, Rogue One and Dune.
29.576, 35.420
- 04
Books
A small bronze statue of a fairy-tale mermaid sits on a rock at this harbour's waterfront.
The Little Mermaid statue, Copenhagen, Denmark
Unknown author · CC BY-SA 3.0 The 1913 statue honours Hans Christian Andersen's tale. It is only 1.25 m tall and has been beheaded twice by vandals.
55.693, 12.599
- 05
Books
Bella Swan moves to this rainy small town in the Twilight novels.
Forks, Washington, USA
Sea Cow · CC BY-SA 4.0 Stephenie Meyer picked Forks by searching for the rainiest place in the US. The town now hosts an annual 'Forever Twilight in Forks' festival.
47.950, -124.385
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