In which country would you find the Bay of Pigs?

This historically significant inlet is located on the southern coast of Cuba. Known in Spanish as the Bahía de los Cochinos, its name is a bit of a misnomer. While "cochinos" can translate to "pigs," it is more likely a reference to the queen triggerfish, which are called "cochinos" in the local dialect and are abundant in the bay's coral reefs.

While it is a real geographic location, the Bay of Pigs is world-famous not for its natural beauty but for the pivotal Cold War event that happened there. In April 1961, a force of CIA-trained Cuban exiles launched a failed invasion at the bay. The goal of the operation was to land on the island, spark a popular uprising, and overthrow Fidel Castro's newly established communist government.

The invasion was a military and political disaster. Castro's forces quickly defeated the invaders, leading to a major embarrassment for the United States and the young Kennedy administration. The event strengthened Castro's power, pushed Cuba into a closer alliance with the Soviet Union, and set the stage for the Cuban Missile Crisis the following year, a confrontation that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.