Saudi Arabia is a fascinating country with a rich culture and long history. Let’s explore some of the mysteries and wonders of this Middle Eastern nation through 49 fun riddles! Each riddle provides a clue about some aspect of Saudi life, customs, geography, or culture. See if you can get them all right!
Geography Riddles
Riddle 1
I’m a body of water found in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province. I’m shallow and salty, and rich with marine life. Flamingos flock to my shores. What am I?
Answer: The Persian Gulf
Riddle 2
I’m a 2,410 meter tall mountain located in the Sarawat range in western Saudi Arabia. I’m the highest peak in the Arabian Peninsula. Mountaineers climb my slopes. What mountain am I?
Answer: Jabal Al-Nabi Shu’ayb
Riddle 3
I’m a Saudi city located in the Hejaz region along the Red Sea coast. I’m home to a major seaport. I’m the burial place of many Islamic religious figures. What historic city am I?
Answer: Jeddah
Riddle 4
I’m a Saudi city inland from the coast of the Persian Gulf. I’m located in the Eastern Province. I’m a center of oil production and petrochemical industries. What industrial city am I?
Answer: Dammam
Riddle 5
I’m a desert region in northeastern Saudi Arabia near the border with Iraq and Kuwait. Known for my sand dunes, camels, and Bedouin culture. What desert am I?
Answer: Al-Nafud Desert
Riddle 6
I’m a Saudi city located in the Tabuk region near the Gulf of Aqaba. I’m home to coral reefs, seabird colonies, and heritage sites like Petra. What resort city am I?
Answer: Al Wajh
Riddle 7
I’m a Saudi region along the Red Sea coast known for farms, beaches, and islands like Farasan. My capital is Jazan City. What am I?
Answer: Jazan
History & Culture Riddles
Riddle 8
I’m the official language of Saudi Arabia and I’m spoken across the Middle East. I originated on the Arabian peninsula. The Quran is written in me. What language am I?
Answer: Arabic
Riddle 9
I’m a traditional curved sword originally from Yemen but popularized in Saudi Arabia. I’m a symbol of the kingdom and part of traditional men’s dress. What am I?
Answer: Jambiya
Riddle 10
I’m a flowing garment worn by Saudi men and women. I come in white for men and can be black for women. I help deal with the heat. What garment am I?
Answer: Thawb or Abaya
Riddle 11
I’m a traditional head covering worn by Saudi men. I’m usually white or red checkered and worn with a thawb. I show affiliation to different regions. What am I?
Answer: Keffiyeh or Shemagh
Riddle 12
I’m a tribal group that originated in Nejd and conquered Arabia in the 18th century. My dynasty still rules Saudi Arabia today. Who am I?
Answer: House of Saud
Riddle 13
I’m Saudi Arabia’s first national university located in Riyadh. I’m named for the second King of Saudi Arabia. Leading Saudi scholars have taught at me. What prestigious school am I?
Answer: King Saud University
Riddle 14
I’m a city in the Hejaz region considered Islam’s holiest site. Millions make pilgrimage to me each year. I house the Great Mosque and Kaaba. What city am I?
Answer: Mecca
Riddle 15
I’m a Sanskrit term meaning “wind tower” in English. I’m an architectural feature that helps cool buildings naturally in Saudi Arabia’s hot climate. What am I called?
Answer: Badgir
Customs & Practices Riddles
Riddle 16
I’m a social custom in Arab countries like Saudi where men gather to talk, drink coffee or tea, and catch up on news. What am I?
Answer: Majlis
Riddle 17
I’m a traditional Bedouin poetry form practiced across the Arabian Peninsula. I involves improvising rhyming verses. What poetry am I?
Answer: Nabati poetry
Riddle 18
I’m a savory dish popular in Saudi made of pieces of lamb, chicken, or beef roasted on a skewer over an open flame. What delicious meal am I?
Answer: Kebab or Shish kebab
Riddle 19
I’m a common Saudi meal made from lamb, rice, spices, and nuts mixed together and traditionally eaten by hand. What am I?
Answer: Kabsa
Riddle 20
I’m a sweet pastry stuffed with dates or nuts and soaked in honey popular in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East. What am I?
Answer: Ma’amoul
Riddle 21
I’m a traditional Bedouin sport popular in Saudi Arabia that involves riding horses and camels at high speeds and firing rifles. What am I?
Answer: Camel racing or Ardah
Riddle 22
I’m a common holiday celebrated by Muslims across Saudi after the holy month of Ramadan ends. I involve feasts, gifts, and visiting family. What holiday am I?
Answer: Eid al-Fitr
Riddle 23
I’m an ancient trade route used to transport spices between Arabia, Africa, and Asia. My network linked Medina and Mecca. What historic trade route was I?
Answer: Incense Route
Economy Riddles
Riddle 24
I’m a government-owned Saudi company and one of the largest oil companies in the world. I operate the Ghawar Field, the world’s largest oil field. Who am I?
Answer: Saudi Aramco
Riddle 25
I’m the basic monetary unit of Saudi Arabia. I’m divided into 100 halalas. Paper notes come in denominations like 1, 5, and 10. What currency am I?
Answer: Saudi riyal
Riddle 26
I’m a major stock market based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I’m one of the largest stock exchanges in the Middle East. What stock market am I?
Answer: Tadawul
Riddle 27
I’m an industrial city in eastern Saudi Arabia built to utilize oil resources. I was named for the third Saudi king. What planned city am I?
Answer: Jubail
Riddle 28
I’m a major port on the coast of the Red Sea. I can handle large cargo ships and tankers. I served pilgrims traveling to Mecca. What industrial port am I?
Answer: King Abdullah Port
Government Riddles
Riddle 29
I’m the current king of Saudi Arabia who came to power in 2015. I introduced reforms like allowing women to drive. Who am I?
Answer: Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
Riddle 30
I’m the legislative body of Saudi Arabia. All of my members are appointed by the King. I propose and pass laws for the kingdom. What council am I?
Answer: Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia
Riddle 31
I’m the first city to serve as Saudi Arabia’s capital starting in the 1930s. I’m located in the Nejd region and home to many government offices. What historic city am I?
Answer: Riyadh
Riddle 32
I’m the current capital of Saudi Arabia and its second largest city after Jeddah. I have ultramodern architecture and numerous universities. What busy city am I?
Answer: Riyadh
Riddle 33
I’m the basic law of governance in Saudi Arabia. I was introduced by King Fahd in 1992. I states Saudi is a monarchy ruled by the sons of King Abdul Aziz. What document am I?
Answer: Basic Law of Saudi Arabia
Sports Riddles
Riddle 34
I’m a popular spectator sport in Saudi Arabia that involves riding Arabian horses and showing riding skills and horsemanship. What equestrian sport am I?
Answer: Show jumping
Riddle 35
I’m a sport gaining popularity in Saudi Arabia that involves two teams passing and carrying an oval ball downfield to score touchdowns. What American sport am I?
Answer: American football
Riddle 36
I’m a martial art and combat sport originating in Japan that is gaining fans in Saudi Arabia. I utilize punches, kicks, grappling and throwing techniques. What am I?
Answer: Judo
Riddle 37
I’m a popular board game in Saudi cafes similar to checkers but played on a larger board. Players flick disk-shaped pieces across the board. What game am I?
Answer: Tawula
Riddle 38
I’m a traditional sport enjoyed by Saudi children. I involve hopping on one foot and trying to knock over ankle bones from other players. What fun game am I?
Answer: Al-Manqalah
Religion Riddles
Riddle 39
I’m Islam’s holiest site located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. I’m a large, cube-shaped building where Muslims pilgrimage to pray. What sacred place am I?
Answer: Kaaba
Riddle 40
I’m one of the Five Pillars of Islam. I require fasting from dawn to dusk during Ramadan. What Islamic practice am I?
Answer: Sawm
Riddle 41
I’m a Saudi city and the second holiest site in Islam. I was home to Prophet Muhammad and early caliphate capitals. What historic city am I?
Answer: Medina
Riddle 42
I’m the Supreme Court and highest judicial authority in Saudi Arabia. I’m based in Riyadh and issue final rulings compliant with Sharia law. What am I?
Answer: Supreme Judicial Council
Riddle 43
I’m the governor of Mecca and one of the most influential religious leaders in Saudi Arabia. The king personally appoints me. What is my prestigious title?
Answer: Emir of Mecca
Education Riddles
Riddle 44
I’m a leading public research university located in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia along the Red Sea. I focus on science, engineering, and technology. What am I?
Answer: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Riddle 45
I’m a Saudi education system that provides free training in technical, vocational, and professional skills. I aim to provide Saudi youth with career skills. What program am I?
Answer: Colleges of Excellence
Riddle 46
I’m an institute located in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. I’m focused on training Saudi youth for jobs in the oil and petrochemical industries. What vocational school am I?
Answer: Jubail Industrial College
Riddle 47
I’m a financial support program run by the Saudi government that sponsors students to study abroad. My goal is to develop future Saudi leaders. What scholarship program am I?
Answer: King Abdullah Scholarship Program
Riddle 48
I’m a leading medical school located in the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I train doctors and medical professionals from across the Middle East. What prestigious school am I?
Answer: Alfaisal University College of Medicine
Riddle 49
I’m a Saudi education initiative to improve STEM education for youth, especially girls. I provide training programs and events focused on science and tech. What program am I?
Answer: Misk STEM Accelerator
Conclusion
How did you do with these riddles about the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia? This ancient desert country has a rich cultural heritage and modern cities. From mountains to seas, customs to sports, and history to education, Saudi Arabia is a multifaceted nation. Learning about a place through fun riddles allows us to stretch our mind and gain new perspectives. Saudi Arabia has opened more to the world in recent years, while still maintaining its traditional identity. With rapid development and social changes, there are surely many more mysteries and stories to uncover about this influential Middle Eastern country!
