Asia: All about Jordan Trivia Quiz

Answer: Ammonites

Amman is the capital of Jordan. The area was their capital since the 13th century. They were a tribe of people that emerged from the Syrio-Arabian desert in 2 BCE and are mentioned in the Bible as 'Benei Ammon' ('Children of Ammon').

The city was originally named 'Rabbath Ammon' but over time the 'Rabbath' which meant 'King's Quarters' or 'capital' was not included. As different groups of people conquered and lived in the city, the name was gradually adapted to 'Amman.'

Answer: Irbid

Irbid is capital of the Irbid Governorate. Jordan is divided into three regions, then into 12 governorates.

Irbid has had a human population since at least the Bronze Age. During the Hellenistic period (the period between the death of Alexander the Great and the birth of the Roman Empire) Irbid was known as 'Arabella' and was a major hub for trade.

Before Islam was introduced to the area, Irbid was known for being one of the best producers of wine in ancient times. After the Islamic conquests, the city became known as 'Irbid' and became much more known for its olive oil production as alcohol consumption is against Islamic beliefs.

Answer: Jabal Umm ad Dami

Jabal Umm ad Dami is just over 6,000 feet high and located in Wadi Rum, or the Valley of the Moon. It is the largest valley or 'wadi' in Jordan. The mountain is close to Jordan's border with Saudi Arabia.

Answer: Aqaba

Aqaba is the southernmost city of Jordan. The city's location at the northern tip of the Red Sea between Africa and Asia, has made this an important port city for thousands of years.

Jordan has very little coastline. The coastline that the country has on the Gulf of Aqaba is only 16 miles long.

Answer: Jerash

When Jerash was called 'Gerasa' Greek goddess Artemis, the daughter of Zeus and Leto, twin sister of Apollo and goddess of hunting, was the goddess of this city. The temple for her was built at the highest point of the city. Construction began in 2AD but it was never finished, having only 12 out of the 32 planned columns constructed.

Beneath the temple is a large expanse of underground vaults, the purpose of which is yet to be understood.

Answer: Oman

Located in the Jordanian city of Aqaba, the Aqaba Flagpole sports the flag of the Arab Revolt, in commemoration of the 1917 Battle of Aqaba. The flagpole was constructed in 2004.

Answer: Mount Nebo

Mount Nebo is around 2,330 feet high. It is a ridge of the Mount Abraim Mountain Range. The cities of Jericho and Jerusalem are usually visible on a clear day from the summit of Mount Nebo.

The last chapter of the Book of Deuteronomy states that Moses climbed Mount Nebo to view the Promised Land, which God told him he would not enter but instead leave for his descendants. Moses then died on Mount Nebo.

Answer: True

Although Jordan has a vast variety of plant and animal species, it does not have many forests. Less than 2% of Jordan is considered forest. Jordan does however have at least seven protected nature reserves.

Answer: Black iris

The scientic name for the black iris is 'iris nigricans.' This flower blooms in spring and has a short season.

Nine types of known iris grow in Jordan. They are all becoming more and more rare due to human interactions.

Answer: Saudi Arabia

The Jordan-Saudi Arabia border is around 455 miles long, running from the south-west from the Gulf of Aqaba, to proceed north-east to the tripoint with Iraq.

There are some Saudi Arabian cities and towns located near the border with Jordan; for example, the Saudi city of Qurayyat (known for its large market, salt and olives) is around 20 miles away from the Jordan-Saudi Arabia border.

Answer: Jebel al-Madhbah

Jebel al-Madhbah is located about the historic city of Petra. It is around 3,500 feet high and there is also a staircase cut from rock to reach the altar at the top.

Some historians have suggested Jebel al-Madhbah as a candidate for being the Biblical mountain, Mount Sinai.

Answer: Lisan Peninsula

The Dead Sea separates Israel from Jordan. The Lisan Peninsula gets its name from the Arabic word for 'tongue.' The peninsula separates the north part of the Dead Sea from its more shallow southern section.

The northernmost tip of the Lisan Peninsula is called Cape Costigan. It is named after Christopher Costigan, an Irish explorer and priest who made the mistake of drinking the water of the Dead Sea, whilst stranded and lost in it. The high salinity exacerbated his illness, fever and dehydration.

The south-western tip of the peninsula is called Cape Molyneux after Thomas Howard Molyneux, a British Royal Navy officer who also died stranded on the Dead Sea.

Answer: Ajloun Castle

Sitting atop a hill on the grounds of an old monastery, a general of the conqueror Saladin had this building expanded as a fort in 1184. It looked over the three main passages or wadis that led to the northern part of the Jordan valley. Today the castle is open for tourists.

Answer: Amman

Arab Bank was founded in 1930 in Jerusalem. According to the bank's website it accounts for 25% of Amman's stock exchange.

Answer: Israel

With encouragement by the U.S.A and the Soviet Union, Jordan signed the Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace in 1994.

Egypt signed their peace treaty with Israel in 1979.