Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan or Kuwait? Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In which country is the valley called Wadi Rum located, famous for its petroglyphs?

Answer: Jordan

The word 'wadi' means 'valley' in Arabic. Wadi Rum is a valley cut into sandstone and granite rocks, located east of the city of Aqaba. Wadi Rum is noted for a rock formation known as the 'Seven Pillars of Wisdom', and is noted for being a prominent rock climbing site.

The entire region, in particular the Khaz'ali Canyon, is famous for petroglyphs belonging to the Thamud and Nabataean civilizations.

2. In which country can we visit Arad Fort, a 15th century fort built in the Islamic style?

Answer: Bahrain

The fort was earlier present on a separate island, which was later joined to Muharraq Island, the second largest island of Bahrain after Bahrain Island. Arad fort was built before the Portuguese invasion of Bahrain in 1622 AD. The fort is square-shaped, and there is a cylindrical tower on every corner.

There are also openings in the fort that were used by marksmen to defend the fort. The fort overlooks many sea passages of Muharraq Island.

3. In which country is Souq Al-Mubarakiya one of the biggest traditional marketplaces?

Answer: Kuwait

Souq Al-Mubarakiya is located in Kuwait City. The word 'souq' refers to a marketplace in mostly Arabic-speaking countries. Souq Al-Mubarakiya is the biggest traditional marketplace in Kuwait where visitors can buy food items such as Arabian dates, honey and spices, as well as perfumes, antiques and silk carpets.

Another attraction of this place is the presence of cafes serving traditional food.

4. In which country is the remains of the city Assur, capital of the Old Assyrian Empire and the Middle Assyrian Empire, located?

Answer: Iraq

The city of Assur was also known as Qal'at Sherqat. The remains of the city lie on the western bank of the Tigris River, in the Al-Shirqat District of the Saladin Governorate in Iraq. The city was occupied from around 2600 BC till the 14th century AD, when Timur killed the entire population.

The name of the city comes from the name of the deity Ashur. After the Assyrian Empires, the Persian Achaemenid Empire and the Parthian Empire ruled the region. Assur consisted of temples dedicated to deities like Ishtar, Nabu, Sin and Shamash, as well as a ziggurat (massive platform).

5. In which country is Kerak Castle, a large crusader castle built in the 1140s, located?

Answer: Jordan

Kerak Castle is located in the city of al-Karak in Jordan. Its construction was started by Pagan the Butler, lord of Oultrejordain in the Kingdom of Jerusalem, and Fulk, the King of Jerusalem. Kerak castle became more powerful than Montreal castle, located more to the south in Jordan. Kerak Castle was built using a fortified tower structure and its architecture was influenced by west European, Byzantine, and Arab designs.

The castle historically controlled trade routes from Damascus to Egypt.

6. In which country is the nature reserve and zoo Al Areen Wildlife Park located?

Answer: Bahrain

Al Areen Wildlife Park is located in the area called Sakhir in Bahrain, and is adjacent to Bahrain International Circuit. The Wildlife Park is divided into two equal parts, one which can be visited by the public and the other totally protected. Species present in the Wildlife Park include the South African cheetah, the Savannah monitor and the Persian gazelle.

The Arabian onyx, which is extinct in the wild, can also be found in the Al Areen Wildlife Park.

7. In which country is Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre located?

Answer: Kuwait

Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre is over 200,000 square metres in size, and is part of the Kuwait National Cultural District. It is owned by the 'Amiri Diwan', the royal palace of Kuwait. The Cultural Centre is located on the Arabian Gulf Road, the most prominent road in Kuwait City.

The Cultural Centre consists of an opera house, and also offers music, theatre and film events. It was named after Jaber Al-Ahmad, the emir of Kuwait from 1977 to 2006, and the first Prime Minister of independent Kuwait.

8. In which country can one visit Al-Khazneh, a temple believed to be the mausoleum of King Aretas IV?

Answer: Jordan

Al-Khazneh is located in the city of Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, located in southern Jordan on the slope of the mountain Jebel al-Madhbah. The word 'khazneh' means 'treasury' in Arabic. Al-Khazneh is entirely carved out from a rock face of sandstone.

It is believed that Al-Khazneh was built during the 1st century AD as a crypt and mausoleum for King Aretas IV Philopatris, ruler of the Nabataean kingdom. Al-Khazneh consists of several sculptures of figures associated with afterlife, like the statues of Castor and Pollux at the entrance.

9. In which country is the Al Fateh Grand Mosque located, noted for its library on Islamic history and culture?

Answer: Bahrain

The Al Fateh Grand Mosque was built in 1987 under Sheikh Isa ibn Salman Al Khalifa. The mosque was named after Ahmed ibn Muhammad ibn Khalifa, the first 'hakim' (ruler) of modern Bahrain. The mosque covers an area of over 6500 square meters, and is located in Juffair, a neighborhood of the capital Manama.

Its dome is made of fiberglass. The library of the Ahmed Al-Fateh Islamic Centre has copies of various books of Hadith, and several old journals and encyclopedias.

10. In which country is the ancient city of Hatra located, a fortified Parthian city whose architecture was influenced by both Greek and Roman styles?

Answer: Iraq

The ancient city of Hatra is located in Ninawa Governorate, 110 kilometres southwest of the city of Mosul. The city flourished under the Parthians and was the most powerful city in the Kingdom of Araba. The city of Hatra defended off multiple attacks by the Romans under the emperors Trajan and Septimius Severus. Hatra was conquered by King Shapur I of the Persian Sassanid Empire in 241 AD.

The city had temples dedicated to deities of various civilizations such as Nergal (Assyrian), Hermes (Greek) and Atargatis (Aramaean).

Source: Author angikar

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

The four Middle Eastern countries of Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan and Kuwait have many fascinating monuments and sites. How well do you know them? Simply, pick the correct country for the given monument! Enjoy!

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