The Wakhan Corridor Trivia Quiz

Answer: Badakhshan

Afghanistan has thirty-four Provinces; the most recent two, Panjshir and Daykundi, were added in 2004. The geographical region of Badakhshan (rather than the political Province) includes the extreme north east of Afghanistan and also the southeastern part of neighbouring Tajikistan.

Answer: The Durand Line

Also referred to as "the Zero Line", this border splits the territory of the Pashtun people and has often been a source of tension in the area.

Answer: Ishkashim

The Wakhan Tourism Office is funded and supported by the Aga Khan's Development Foundation, and it is hoped that tourism will eventually provide much needed income for the residents of the area. Given the conflicts in most of Afghanistan, the Wakhan region is peaceful, and the safest part of the country for visitors.

It's remoteness means that access is difficult, and outside influences have little or no effect on the people and their lifestyle.

Answer: It is the last settlement accessible in motor vehicles, beyond it there are no roads

To travel beyond Sarhad-e-Broghil means that people must go on horseback, or walk, with donkeys or yaks. The road into Sarhad is only passable in a 4x4, and is often flooded, with bridges washed out. The route from the nearest airport and "big" town, the provincial Capital Faizabad, takes around 15 hours to drive, and is unsafe during the hours of darkness.

Answer: Wakhjir

The border between the Wakhan Corridor and China has the greatest time division of any border on Earth. On the Afghan side, the time zone is GMT+4:30, whilst on the Chinese side, the time zone is Chinese Standard Time ie. GMT+8. The Wakhjir pass was part of the ancient route of the Silk Road, and can be closed by snow for up to half the year.

Answer: Oxus

Many local people call the Amu Darya 'Jayhoun' which is thought to be a derivation from the River Gihon, one of the four rivers in the Biblical Garden of Eden. The actual source of the river is an ice cave; it flows as a glacier, then the River Wakhan, before joining the Pamir. The river ends in a delta at the Aral Sea.

Answer: Kyrgyz

The earliest records of the Kyrgyz people date back to the second century BC, and the way of life they follow today has changed very little. There are around 1500 Kyrgyz living in the Wakhan Corridor. All the residents of the Wakhan Corridor are either herders or subsistence farmers, and visitors are advised to take their own food supplies as there is often none available for sale or trade.

Answer: Tajikistan

The landlocked country of Tajikistan is the smallest country in central Asia. Most of the country is in the Pamir mountain range, and more than half is over 3000m elevation.

Answer: Long cold winters, low snowfall, warmer dry summers

From September to April, temperatures often fall well below freezing point, even through the day. The average snowfall is rarely over a foot in depth; what snow does fall is dry. In the summer, it is warmer, although not hot. Rainfall is low, with an average of ten rains between April and October. Conditions for visitors and travel are best between June and September.

Answer: Buzkashi

Buzkashi is very popular in Afghanistan and Central Asia. The first ever Pamir Festival, in 2007, featured displays of the sport as one of its attractions. Organised by the Wakhan Tourism Office, it is hoped that the Festival will soon become an annual event and help increase tourist numbers, bringing much needed income to the area.