Four Letter Place Trivia Quiz

Answer: Chad

Known as the "Republic of Chad", it gained its independence on August 11, 1960. Like many other nations in Africa, it was subject to colonization by the French. Since independence, it has faced government corruption, human rights violations (specifically military rebels and punishment of same-sex relations), and poverty .

It is the fifth largest country by size in Africa and is landlocked by Libya, Sudan, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger.

Answer: Cuba

Cuba is a nation that is comprised of the Island of Cuba and Isla de la Juventud. Following the Cuban War of Independence (1895-1898), Cuba went through various stages within its independence including handing of ownership from Spain to the United States in 1898 and gaining independence from the United States in 1902. From 1953-1959, Cuba went through its Cultural Revolution under the influence of political figure Fidel Castro, eventually becoming a Communist nation.

As a result, travel restrictions were placed on Cuban citizens and they were not allowed to travel abroad until this policy was lifted in 2013.

Answer: Fiji

Fiji is an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean located to the Northwest of New Zealand. It gained its independence from the United Kingdom on October 10, 1970. Geographically, the islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu account for over 80% of the country's population with most of them living in the small urban centers of Suva, Nadi, and Lautoka. Fiji is one of the most developed Pacific island countries having booming sugar and tourism industries. Fiji made international headlines during the 2016 Summer Olympic Games when the sport of Rugby was introduced for the first time and they achieved their first ever Olympic gold medal as a nation.

Answer: Iran

Iran, also known as Persia, is a sovereign nation located in Western Asia. It is surrounded by many other nations including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Turkey, and Pakistan. It is also close to various bodies of water including the Caspian Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the Gulf of Oman. Geographically, Iran consists of various plateaus and plains including the Iranian Plateau and Khuzestan Plain which allow for crops including dates, apricots, nuts, and animal grazing. Iran also consists of the Caucasus, Zagros, and Alborz Mountains which have given the nation wealth in coal, copper, and iron ore mining as well as the petroleum and natural gas industries.

Answer: Iraq

Officially known as the Republic of Iraq, this nation is located next to another "four letter nation", Iran. It officially gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1932 and was officially declared a republic in 1958. Economically, Iraq is one of the largest producers of oil in the world ranking only behind Saudi Arabia in reserve oil.

In modern times, Iraq has faced criticism for its treatment of citizens within the country and has suffered from poor water supplies and lack of sanitation due to the environmental damage of decades of war.

Answer: Laos

Laos is a landlocked nation that is bordered by Myanmar, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. It was declared independent from France in 1949 and then became an independent nation in 1953. Like other Asian nations in the 1950s and 1960s, Laos faced civil war suffering through a period known as the Laotian Civil War (1953-1975).

In modern times, Laos continues to experience various human and cultural rights violations in which the government has been accused of committing cultural genocide, religious persecution, and abuse of children and women. Laos relies on trade with its neighbours to sustain an economy, but has encouraged private enterprise allowing it to become one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

Answer: Mali

Like many of the other four lettered nations, Mali is also a landlocked country. Gaining its independence from France in June 1960, it is surrounded by the nations of Algeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Cote D'Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal, and Mauritania. As it is located in the "thermal equator", it is one of the hottest countries in the world.

It has considerable wealth in natural resources including gold, uranium, and phosphate reserves. Mali has faced both environmental and political challenges in modern times including desertification, erosion, poor water quality, and the Tuareg Rebellion.

Answer: Oman

Its official title is the Sultanate of Oman, establishing itself as early as 130 AD. It has an average temperature of 30 to 40 degrees Celsius in the summer months making it one of the hottest countries on the Arabian Peninsula as well as the rest of the world.

In some areas such as the island of Masirah, it often does not receive any rainfall whatsoever. Like many nations in the Middle East, it thrives economically in the areas of gas and oil reserves. Due to its drier climate, very little of the country is suitable for agricultural growth and Oman relies on importing food from other nations but some locations do produce dates, limes, and grain products.

Answer: Peru

Peru is the only nation on the South American continent that only has four letters in its name. Prior to 1821, Peru was under the authority of the Kingdom of Spain and officially became recognized as a nation in 1879. Historically, Peru is known for the Incan Empire (most notably the ancient city of Machu Picchu) which was defeated by conquistador soldiers led by Francisco Pizarro in the 1530s.

In modern times, Peru is one of the fastest growing economies in the world relying on the agriculture, industrial, and service sectors. Peru is a leader in the fishing industry, gold production, and its agricultural production of artichokes, mangoes, coffee, and avocados.

Answer: Togo

Togo is a nation located in Western Africa, gaining its independence in 1960. During the 16th Century, it was a major trading and slave port for Europeans known simply as "The Slave Coast". During the colonial years, the nation was divided between the British and the French and as a result, two of the official languages are French and English. Economically the people of Togo survive mainly in the primary industries of agriculture and mining. Fertile land in the region allows for the growing of cassava, millet, coffee, and cocoa beans while it has some of the largest phosphate reserves in the world.