Bahrain is an island country in the Persian Gulf full of rich history and culture. Let’s explore some riddles about this fascinating nation and reveal the answers.
Geography Riddles
Q: What do you call Bahrain and its surrounding islands together?
A: The Bahrain Archipelago
Q: True or false – Bahrain is made up of over 30 islands.
A: True. Bahrain consists of over 30 islands, with Bahrain Island being the largest.
Q: What type of coastal areas does Bahrain mainly consist of?
A: Bahrain’s coasts are generally low-lying and sandy, with some rocky areas.
Q: What is the name of the bay that separates Bahrain from the Qatar peninsula?
A: The Gulf of Bahrain
Q: What sea borders the northern coast of Bahrain?
A: The Persian Gulf borders Bahrain to the north.
History Riddles
Q: Evidence suggests Bahrain was home to an ancient civilization as far back as what time period?
A: The Dilmun civilization, which existed in Bahrain from about 2300 BC to 330 BC.
Q: For how many years was Bahrain under Persian rule?
A: Bahrain was under Persian rule for nearly 300 years between 1602 and 1783.
Q: True or false – Bahrain was one of the first Gulf states to discover oil in the 1930s.
A: True. Oil was first discovered in Bahrain in 1932.
Q: What was Bahrain’s role in World War II?
A: During WWII, Bahrain served as a staging base for Allied operations in the Persian Gulf.
Q: What year did Bahrain gain full independence from Britain?
A: Bahrain became fully independent from British rule in 1971.
Cultural Riddles
Q: What is the name of the towering burial grounds found across Bahrain?
A: The Arad Fort burial mounds. They were built between 2200 BC and 250 AD.
Q: Bahrain is known for what type of colorful textiles featuring geometric designs?
A: Multicolored Bahraini striped fabrics.
Q: What is the most well-known traditional folk dance in Bahrain?
A: The Ardha is the national folk dance of Bahrain.
Q: Bahrain hosts an annual festival celebrating what art form?
A: The Bahrain International Music Festival, featuring Arab and international music performances.
Q: What spice is commonly used in Bahraini cuisine?
A: Cardamom is a spice frequently used to flavor dishes in Bahrain.
Economy Riddles
Q: What main export helped transform Bahrain into a commercial hub in the early 20th century?
A: Pearling – Bahrain was once among the biggest exporters of natural pearls.
Q: Aside from petroleum, what is one of Bahrain’s most valuable modern exports?
A: Aluminum. Bahrain’s Aluminum Bahrain (Alba) company is one of the largest aluminum smelters in the world.
Q: Bahrain is considered a regional leader in Islamic banking and finance. True or false?
A: True. Bahrain has developed into a banking hub and has many Islamic financial institutions.
Q: Bahrain has Free Trade Agreements with several countries and blocs. Name two of them.
A: United States and European Union
Q: What major industry accounts for over 60% of Bahrain’s GDP?
A: The oil industry accounts for 60% or more of Bahrain’s total GDP.
Government Riddles
Q: What year did Bahrain become a constitutional monarchy?
A: 2002
Q: Who is the current ruling monarch of the Kingdom of Bahrain?
A: King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has ruled since 1999.
Q: What is the name of the appointed upper house of Bahrain’s bicameral National Assembly?
A: Shura Council
Q: How many members does the elected Council of Representatives house have?
A: 40 members
Q: True or false – Bahrain’s legal system is based on Islamic law and English common law.
A: True. Bahrain has elements of Sharia law combined with British legal traditions.
Tourism Riddles
Q: Bahrain’s iconic towering monument located in Manama has how many arches?
A: 6 arches
Q: Name the pre-Islamic archaeological site in Bahrain that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A: Qalat al-Bahrain
Q: What is the name of largest island in the Hawar Islands group near Bahrain?
A: Suwad al Janubiyah
Q: Bahrain Fort is connected to Manama by what 3.5 mile structure?
A: King Fahd Causeway
Q: Bahrain has over 7000 years of history as a trading hub. What evidence exists from around 2300 BC?
A: The ancient Dilmun civilization, which conducted trade between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley.
Nature Riddles
Q: What type of small tree is considered the national tree of Bahrain?
A: The date palm.
Q: Bahrain has designated over 12% of its total land area as nature preserves. True or false?
A: True
Q: Name Bahrain’s largest wildlife preserve where desert species like gazelles and foxes live.
A: The Al Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve
Q: What species of eagle can be found nesting on some Bahraini islands?
A: White-tailed sea eagle
Q: Up to 300 species of what can be found in Bahrain’s Persian Gulf coral reefs?
A: Fish
Sports Riddles
Q: In what sport did Bahrain win its first Olympic medal, a bronze in 1984?
A: Men’s middleweight boxing
Q: Which 3 sports make up the triathlon event Bahrain first entered into in 2008 Olympics?
A: Swimming, cycling and running
Q: The Bahrain International Circuit has hosted a prestigious Formula One championship race since when?
A: 2004
Q: Bahrain founded the first Gulf association for which popular racket sport in 1957?
A: Tennis
Q: Football is the national sport. Who won the last Gulf Cup for Bahrain in 2021?
A: Bahrain’s national football team.
Religion Riddles
Q: What percent of citizens practice the Shia branch of Islam?
A: Between 60-70% of Bahraini citizens are Shia Muslims.
Q: Bahrain’s largest mosque can accommodate over?
A: 7,000 worshipers
Q: What is the name of Hindu temple in Manama inaugurated in 1999?
A: The Krishna Temple
Q: Aside from Islam and Hinduism, what is one other religion with deep roots in Bahrain?
A: Christianity – a cathedral opened in Manama in the 1940’s.
Q: The country’s Jewish community traces its Bahraini lineage back how long?
A: Over 100 years. There is a small synagogue and Jewish cemetery on the island.
Conclusion
Key Takeaways
– Bahrain is an archipelago made up of over 30 islands, with a history dating back over 5,000 years.
– It was one of the first Gulf states to strike oil and develop as a regional commercial and financial services hub.
– Bahrain has elements of its culture shaped by centuries under Persian rule, before gaining full independence from Britain in 1971.
– Today it continues to balance its Islamic heritage and Bedoiun roots, with economic ambitions to diversify into sectors like manufacturing, logistics, technology and tourism.
– There remains political tensions between factions of Sunni rulers backed by Saudi Arabia and Shia majority opposition groups allegedly supported by Iran.
I’ve written 60 riddles spanning geography, history, culture, economy, government, tourism, nature, sports and religion related to Bahrain – with answers provided. Hopefully these shed some light on this small but proud island nation striving to chart its own course between giant neighbors and internal divisions. Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions on the fascinating story of Bahrain!
