Azerbaijan is a fascinating country located at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It has a rich history and culture that lend themselves well to riddles. Here are 44 riddles about Azerbaijan to challenge your knowledge about this unique country.
Geography Riddles
Riddle 1
I am a large body of water bordering Azerbaijan to the east. I am the largest lake in the world by volume and the ninth largest continental sea. What am I?
Answer: The Caspian Sea
Riddle 2
We are a range of mountains that run alongside Azerbaijan’s border with Russia and Georgia. Our highest peak reaches 15,554 feet. What are we?
Answer: The Greater Caucasus Mountains
Riddle 3
I am a historic city located on the western shore of the Caspian Sea. I am the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan. What city am I?
Answer: Baku
History Riddles
Riddle 4
I am an ancient fire-worshipping religion that originated in Persia. For a long time, I was the state religion of Azerbaijan. What religion am I?
Answer: Zoroastrianism
Riddle 5
We are archaeological sites scattered across the territory of Azerbaijan consisting of petroglyphs, tombs and dwellings from the early Iron Age. What are we?
Answer: Rock art cultural landscape of Gobustan
Riddle 6
I am an iconic architectural monument located in Baku, Azerbaijan overlooking the Caspian Sea. I am a medieval defensive tower built in the 12th century AD. What am I?
Answer: Maiden Tower
Culture Riddles
Riddle 7
I am a traditional folk dance from Azerbaijan characterized by measured steps and elegant arm movements. Men and women dance in pairs, tracing intricate patterns across the dance floor. What dance am I?
Answer: Yalli dance
Riddle 8
I am an Azerbaijani stringed musical instrument played with the fingers or a plectrum. My pear-shaped body has a long neck with a metal resonator at the lower end of the instrument. What instrument am I?
Answer: Tar
Riddle 9
We are cone-shaped lamb pastries stuffed with a sweet filling such as nuts, dates or sugar. We are a beloved Azerbaijani dessert often served at Novruz. What are we?
Answer: Pakhlava
Literature Riddles
Riddle 10
I was a 12th century poet who lived in Ganja, Azerbaijan. I wrote about philosophical, moral, and romantic themes and is considered one of the greatest lyrical poets of medieval Azerbaijan. Who am I?
Answer: Nizami Ganjavi
Riddle 11
We are a collection of epic stories recounting the fictional exploits of a hero named Koroglu who led a band of men fighting against unjust rulers. What are we?
Answer: The Book of Dede Korkut or Oguzname
Riddle 12
I am a classic Azerbaijani satirical novella written by Jalil Mammadguluzadeh in 1923. My plot satirizes the rapid modernization in Azerbaijan in the early 20th century. What novella am I?
Answer: The Dead
Sports Riddles
Riddle 13
We are a version of the ancient Iranian game of polo played in Azerbaijan on horseback. What are we called?
Answer: Chovgan or horseback javelin throwing
Riddle 14
I am a traditional Azerbaijani sport similar to wrestling. I involve two men wearing special pants attempting to throw each other onto the ground. What am I?
Answer: Gulesh
Riddle 15
I am a popular sport in Azerbaijan also known as Armenian grappling. I involve players trying to throw each other to the ground using special holds and techniques. What sport am I?
Answer: Kokh
Food Riddles
Riddle 16
I am a type of Azerbaijani flatbread made from layers of dough that are stretched thin and baked on the inner walls of a clay oven. My name comes from the Persian word for “layers.” What type of bread am I?
Answer: Lavash
Riddle 17
We are spiced kebabs made from lamb, chicken or beef mixed with onions and herbs like coriander or parsley. We are one of the most well-known Azerbaijani meat dishes. What are we called?
Answer: Lule kebab
Riddle 18
I am an Azerbaijani soup made with sour milk or yogurt mixed with herbs like mint, dill and green onions. I am often served cold as an appetizer or side dish in the summer. What soup am I?
Answer: Dovga
Economy Riddles
Riddle 19
I am a port city on the Caspian Sea that serves as an important economic center and seaport for trade in Azerbaijan. I became wealthy in the 19th century due to my booming oil industry at the time. What city am I?
Answer: Baku
Riddle 20
We are ancient techniques for getting oil and gas out of the ground that were pioneered in Azerbaijan starting in the late 1800s. What are we?
Answer: Oil wells/oil drilling
Riddle 21
I am a major export pipeline opened in 2005 that carries oil from Baku through Georgia to Turkey’s Mediterranean port of Ceyhan. What pipeline am I?
Answer: The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline
Society Riddles
Riddle 22
I am the majority ethnic group in Azerbaijan making up around 91% of the population. We are a Turkic people with our own language, cuisine and culture. Who are we?
Answer: Azerbaijanis or Azeris
Riddle 23
I am the official language of Azerbaijan and the first language of most Azerbaijanis. I use a modified version of the Latin alphabet since 2001. What language am I?
Answer: Azerbaijani
Riddle 24
We are winter festivities dating back to pre-Islamic times celebrating the New Year and arrival of spring. What is the name of this popular holiday in Azerbaijan?
Answer: Novruz
Politics Riddles
Riddle 25
I am the political party that has held power in Azerbaijan for decades since 1993. I am centered around the authoritarian leadership of Ilham Aliyev who took over from his father Heydar Aliyev. What party am I?
Answer: New Azerbaijan Party
Riddle 26
I am an autonomous region bordering Iran that has attempted to declare its independence from Azerbaijan since the 1990s, leading to an ongoing conflict. What region am I?
Answer: Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
Riddle 27
I was the first democratically elected leader of Azerbaijan serving as President from 1992-1993. I was overthrown in a military coup led by ex-KGB officer Heydar Aliyev. Who am I?
Answer: Abulfaz Elchibey
Nature Riddles
Riddle 28
I am the national animal symbol of Azerbaijan known for my impressive horns. I am a species of wild goat native to the mountains of the Caucasus region. What animal am I?
Answer: Caucasian ibex
Riddle 29
I am a unique natural habitat spanning southeast Azerbaijan and northwest Iran. I contain one of the world’s largest mud volcanoes along with mineral-rich springs and unusual salt caves. What protected region am I?
Answer: Gobustan National Park
Riddle 30
I am Azerbaijan’s largest lake located in the semi-desert Shirvan plain. I am an important habitat for many bird species. What lake am I?
Answer: Lake Sarisu
Science Riddles
Riddle 31
I was an eminent 12th century scholar, philosopher and physician born near Baku, Azerbaijan. I wrote groundbreaking medical books and was personal physician to the Shirvanshah ruler Akhsitan I. Who am I?
Answer: Mohammad al-Izjandi
Riddle 32
I am considered one of the fathers of theoretical mechanics and geometry. I was born in 1201 AD near Baku, Azerbaijan but spent most of my scientific career in Khorasan Province, Persia. Who am I?
Answer: Nasir al-Din al-Tusi
Riddle 33
I am an optical illusion that appears to violate the law of perspective named after a coastal village in Azerbaijan. Straight parallel lines can appear to curve on my pattern. What illusion am I?
Answer: The Café Wall illusion
Architecture Riddles
Riddle 34
I am a 15th century double-domed mausoleum considered a masterpiece of Azerbaijani architecture. My exterior is covered in intricate decorative tile work. What mausoleum am I?
Answer: Shirvanshah Palace
Riddle 35
We are ancient underground water channels named after the city Ganja in Azerbaijan where we were first discovered. What are we?
Answer: Ganjagh qanats
Riddle 36
I am an iconic flame-shaped tower in Baku, Azerbaijan that has become the city’s signature landmark. I house exhibitions, conference halls, and an observation deck overlooking Baku Bay. What tower am I?
Answer: The Flame Towers
Tourism Riddles
Riddle 37
I am an area of protected woodlands located on the slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains favoured by Azerbaijani hikers and nature lovers. What national park am I?
Answer: Shahdag National Park
Riddle 38
We are the cosmopolitan capital and largest city of Azerbaijan known for our thriving art scene, historic Old City, modern skyscrapers and seaside promenade. What bustling city are we?
Answer: Baku
Riddle 39
I am an historic 150-acre palace complex located near Shaki, Azerbaijan containing beautiful wall paintings, stained glass windows, and a mosaic of over a million pieces. What palace am I?
Answer: Palace of Shaki Khans
Movies & Entertainment Riddles
Riddle 40
I am an Oscar-winning 1956 Soviet drama film directed by Reza Safi featuring scenes of the oil fields of Baku. I contrast an ambitious engineer with a more principled colleague. What classic film am I?
Answer: The Unsent Letter
Riddle 41
We are a modern musical ensemble that blends Azeri folk songs and instruments with contemporary sounds like electronica and hip hop beats. Our name means “wave” in Azerbaijani. What music group are we?
Answer: Alim Qasimov Ensemble or Aqeel Farhad Ensemble
Riddle 42
I am an Azerbaijani pop singer who came to prominence after winning the Eurovision Song Contest 2011, giving Azerbaijan its first ever win. My song was called “Running Scared.” Who am I?
Answer: Ell & Nikki (Eldar and Nigar)
Famous People Riddles
Riddle 43
I was an eminent chemist born in Baku, Azerbaijan in 1897 who pioneered the use of petroleum-based substances in chemistry. I won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1956. Who am I?
Answer: Yusif Mamedaliyev
Riddle 44
We are a famous Azeri singing duo consisting of sisters living in exile from Azerbaijan since 2015. Our music mixes traditional Azeri folk with Western pop influences. Who are we?
Answer: The Kazah Sisters
Conclusion
Hopefully these riddles helped you learn more about the unique history, culture, landscape and people that make up Azerbaijan. Don’t be surprised if an Azerbaijani stumps you with one of these brain teasers during your next trip to Baku or Ganja!
