Kazakhstan is a fascinating country located in Central Asia. It has a rich culture and history that lend themselves well to riddles. In this article, we have compiled 33 riddles about Kazakhstan along with their answers. Some riddles focus on Kazakh culture, geography, or history, while others are more general logic puzzles. The riddles vary in difficulty, so there should be something here to challenge and engage everyone.
Riddles about Kazakh Culture and Traditions
Riddle 1
I am a traditional Kazakh dwelling made of felt that can be assembled and disassembled. What am I?
Answer: A yurt. Yurts are round tents made of felt that have been used by Central Asian nomads for centuries. They are easy to transport and quick to set up, making them ideal for the nomadic lifestyle on the vast steppes of Kazakhstan.
Riddle 2
We are long robes worn by Kazakh men, usually during holidays and special occasions. Bright colors and intricate patterns help make us distinguishable as traditional Kazakh attire. What are we?
Answer: Chapan robes. Chapan robes are a key element of traditional Kazakh dress. They feature vibrant colors and designs, representing the Kazakh culture.
Riddle 3
I am a four-stringed Kazakh musical instrument made out of wood with horse hair strings. I am similar to a fiddle and played vertically. What am I?
Answer: A dombra. The dombra is Kazakhstan’s most well-known traditional musical instrument. It has a small, round or pear-shaped body with a long, slim neck.
Riddles about Kazakh Geography
Riddle 4
I am the world’s largest landlocked country by land area. I am the ninth largest country in the world, but I have a relatively small population for my size. What country am I?
Answer: Kazakhstan. At over 1.05 million square miles, Kazakhstan is larger than Western Europe, but only has a population of 18 million.
Riddle 5
I am a long chain of mountains stretching across eastern Kazakhstan. I am over 1,500 miles long, making me the longest mountain range that does not lie under an ocean. What am I?
Answer: The Altai Mountains. The Altai Mountains extend through Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia, and China.
Riddle 6
I am the largest lake within Kazakhstan. I am located near the country’s northeastern border with Russia. Even though temperatures here can drop below -40 °C in winter, I do not completely freeze over. What lake am I?
Answer: Lake Balkhash. Despite frigid winters, Lake Balkhash retains some liquid water year-round thanks in part to hot springs that feed into the western part of the lake.
Riddles about Kazakh History
Riddle 7
Built in the 15th century, I am an ancient city located along the Silk Road trade route. I feature a unique circular design divided into distinct sections, earning me the nickname “the City of Straight Lines”. What historic city am I?
Answer: Turkestan. Turkestan was founded in the 15th century as a key stopping point along the ancient Silk Road trade route. Its unique architecture includes a circular layout divided into sections for religious buildings, dwellings, administrative offices, and more.
Riddle 8
We are semi-nomadic warriors and raiders who united in the 15th century under a single khan. Our swift cavalry and expert fighting skills allowed us to conquer a massive empire across Central Asia and Eastern Europe within just two decades. What group of conquerors are we?
Answer: The Kazakh Horde. Under khan Abul Khair Khan, the Kazakhs rapidly built an empire rivalling the size of continental Europe in the mid-1400s. Their superb horsemanship and military prowess let them dominate the Central Asian steppe.
Riddle 9
For most of the 19th century, I was the political and economic center of Russian colonial rule in Central Asia. I served as the capital of the Governor-Generalship of the Steppes until the October Revolution. What city was I?
Answer: Orenburg. Orenburg was founded in 1743 near the Kazakh steppe. It was the base of operations for the Russian Empire’s expansion into Central Asia during the 1800s.
General Logic and Trivia Riddles
Riddle 10
Jasmine and Kyle each bought one pet. One chose a dog, the other a cat. The dog owner loves tennis but not football, while the cat owner loves football but not tennis. If Kyle loves football, what pet did Jasmine buy?
Answer: Jasmine bought the cat. Kyle loves football, so he must have the dog. By process of elimination, Jasmine has the cat that loves football.
Riddle 11
Some months have 31 days; how many have 28?
Answer: All of them. All months have the 28th day, even if some months don’t have a 31st day.
Riddle 12
A taxi driver was taking a fare from London to Manchester. Halfway through the trip, a wheel fell off the taxi. The driver examined the wheel briefly and then continued the journey. Why?
Answer: It was a spare tire that fell off. So the taxi could carry on safely with all 4 regular wheels still intact.
Riddle 13
The day before two days after the day before tomorrow is Saturday. What is the day after tomorrow?
Answer: Friday. Working backwards: the day before two days after Friday is Saturday. Two days after Friday is Sunday. One day before Sunday is Saturday. Therefore, the day after tomorrow (two days after the initial day referenced) is Friday.
Riddle 14
Feed me and I will grow. Give me a drink and I will die. What am I?
Answer: Fire. Adding fuel allows a fire to grow larger, while pouring water on it will extinguish it.
Riddle 15
What 5-letter word becomes shorter when you add two letters to it?
Answer: Short. If you add two letters, it becomes “shorter”.
Riddles about Kazakh Cities and Places
Riddle 16
I am Kazakhstan’s futuristic capital city that rose to prominence in the 20th century. I became Kazakhstan’s capital shortly after it declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. What city am I?
Answer: Nur-Sultan. Nur-Sultan was called Astana before it was recently renamed. Its modern architecture and planning represent Kazakhstan’s aspirations for the future as an independent nation.
Riddle 17
I am the oil-rich city near the Caspian Sea where the super-giant Tengiz oil field is located. I contribute substantially to Kazakhstan’s petroleum industry. What city am I?
Answer: Atyrau. Atyrau sits beside the oil-abundant Tengiz field, one of the world’s largest, making it a hub of Kazakhstan’s extensive oil production.
Riddle 18
Located along an ancient east-west trade route, I am one of the oldest and most historic cities in Kazakhstan. I was a major center of international commerce during the time of the Silk Road. What city am I?
Answer: Almaty. Positioned on profitable trade routes, Almaty traces its origins back over a thousand years. It was the country’s capital until 1997.
Riddle 19
I am Kazakhstan’s main spaceport, used for launching satellites into orbit and travelling to the International Space Station. What facility am I?
Answer: The Baikonur Cosmodrome. Located in the desert steppes of Kazakhstan, Baikonur Cosmodrome has been leased by Russia since the 1950s for its space program. Even today, all manned Russian spaceflights launch from Baikonur.
Riddle 20
We are an extensive mountain range marking the border between Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and China. Many rare and endangered animals still thrive in our high alpine environments. What famous mountains are we?
Answer: The Tian Shan Mountains. Home to snow leopards, mountain sheep, and other high altitude wildlife, the beautiful Tian Shan range cuts along central Asia’s borders.
Riddle 21
I am the largest meteor crater in the world. In 1921, an asteroid over 160 feet wide created me in eastern Kazakhstan. My name comes from a nearby village that was leveled by the blast. What am I?
Answer: The Kara Crater. Formed when an asteroid slammed into Earth, the nearly mile-wide Kara Crater is larger in diameter than Meteor Crater in Arizona.
More General Logic Riddles
Riddle 22
Two mothers and two daughters ate 3 apples. Why is this possible?
Answer: They were a grandmother, mother, and daughter – so only 3 people.
Riddle 23
What starts with “e”, ends with “e”, and only contains one letter?
Answer: An envelope.
Riddle 24
What gets broken without being held?
Answer: A promise. You cannot physically hold a promise, but it can still be broken.
Riddle 25
I am not alive but I do grow; I don’t have lungs but I do need air; I don’t have a mouth but water kills me. What am I?
Answer: Fire. Fire grows, needs air, and is extinguished by water.
Riddle 26
What stays where it is when it goes off?
Answer: An alarm clock. It remains in place but makes noise at the set time.
Riddle 27
What goes up and down the stairs without moving its legs?
Answer: A rug. The rug doesn’t have legs of its own. People moving the rug make it go up and down stairs.
Riddle 28
The more you take, the more you leave behind. What are they?
Answer: Footsteps. Each step takes you forward but leaves a footprint behind.
Riddle 29
I am lighter than air but a million men cannot lift me up. What am I?
Answer: Bubble. Despite weighing little, bubbles cannot be lifted.
Riddles about Kazakh Animals and Plants
Riddle 30
My horns can span over 6 feet tip to tip, measuring the widest among cattle. I am a breed of domestic bovine adapted to Central Asia’s extremes of heat and cold. What cattle breed am I?
Answer: The Alatau. The Alatau is a breed of cattle raised in Kazakhstan prized for producing quality meat and milk as well as their sheer size and hardiness.
Riddle 31
We are the national symbol of Kazakhstan, known for our speed, endurance and loyalty if domesticated. We can be found roaming the steppes or racing across the vast plains. What animal are we?
Answer: Horses. Famed for horseback riding and racing, horses profoundly shape Kazakh culture as conduits for sport, transport, and companionship.
Riddle 32
My wool is highly prized for its softness and warmth. I am a breed of domestic sheep able to withstand Kazakhstan’s dry, rugged climate. What breed am I?
Answer: The Karakul sheep. Karakul sheep thrive on the arid steppes. Their fur makes a top-quality fleece called Qaraqul that is crafted into hats, coats, and more.
Riddle 33
I am the national tree of Kazakhstan. My fruit is used to produce syrup and healing remedies, while my hard wood makes reliable tools and structures. What type of tree am I?
Answer: The apple tree. Apple trees are a Kazakh emblem seen as representing health, wisdom and longevity. Apples have both culinary and medicinal uses in Kazakhstan.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed testing your wit against these 33 riddles about the diverse aspects of Kazakhstan! From cultural icons like yurts and chapan robes to geographical features like Lake Balkhash and the Altai Mountains, Kazakhstan has provided lots of great inspirations for these puzzles. How many could you get right on the first try? Stay tuned for more riddles exploring this fascinating country!
