Western Asia, also known as the Middle East, is a fascinating region full of history, culture, and intrigue. Many riddles have emerged over the centuries about the lands, peoples, religions, and customs of this diverse part of the world. Below are 43 riddles about Western Asia along with their answers. See how many you can get right!
Geography Riddles
Let’s start with some riddles about the geography and landmarks of Western Asia:
Riddle: What ancient wonder located in modern-day Turkey was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World?
Answer: The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
Riddle: I’m a body of water located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. Sailors have harvested my pearls for centuries. What am I?
Answer: The Persian Gulf
Riddle: I’m the highest mountain in the Middle East, located on the border between Turkey and Iran. Mount Ararat is considered sacred in ancient Armenian culture. What mountain am I?
Answer: Mount Ararat
Riddle: I’m a desert that covers parts of Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen, Egypt, and the UAE. Bedouin tribes have crossed my sands for centuries. What desert am I?
Answer: The Rub’ al Khali or Empty Quarter
Riddle: I’m the largest peninsula in the world, surrounded by the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and Persian Gulf. What peninsula am I?
Answer: The Arabian Peninsula
History Riddles
Now let’s look at some riddles about the rich history of Western Asia:
Riddle: I was a Phoenician city located in modern-day Lebanon. The Greeks and Romans knew me as the “pearl of the ancient world.” What ancient city am I?
Answer: Byblos
Riddle: I’m an ancient Mesopotamian city located in modern-day Iraq. I was the capital of the Babylonian empire under rulers like Hammurabi and Nebuchadnezzar. What city am I?
Answer: Babylon
Riddle: I’m an ancient city located in modern-day Iran. I served as the capital of the Achaemenid Empire under Cyrus the Great. What city am I?
Answer: Persepolis
Riddle: I’m an ancient Nabataean city carved into rock in modern-day Jordan. I’m a popular tourist destination today and considered one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. What city am I?
Answer: Petra
Riddle: I’m an ancient Sumerian city located in modern-day Iraq. I was an important center of trade, religion, and culture in Mesopotamia. What historic city am I?
Answer: Uruk
People Riddles
How about some riddles related to famous personalities from Western Asia?
Riddle: I’m an Assyrian queen who ruled over the Neo-Assyrian Empire in the 7th century BC. I greatly expanded the empire’s borders. Who am I?
Answer: Queen Semiramis
Riddle: I’m a leader from Mecca who founded Islam in the 7th century AD. Millions of Muslims around the world revere me as God’s messenger. Who am I?
Answer: The Prophet Muhammad
Riddle: I’m a Mongol conqueror who founded the Ilkhanate dynasty in Persia in the 13th century. Historians regard me as one of the greatest military commanders in history. Who am I?
Answer: Hulagu Khan
Riddle: I was Shah of Iran from 1941 until 1979, when I was overthrown in the Iranian Revolution. Who am I?
Answer: Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
Riddle: I’m a Turkish leader who founded the modern Republic of Turkey after the fall of the Ottoman Empire. I pushed major political, social, and economic reforms to modernize Turkey. Who am I?
Answer: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
Religion Riddles
The religions of Western Asia provide inspiration for many riddles:
Riddle: I’m one of the five pillars of Islam. During the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk as part of this pillar. What am I?
Answer: Sawm (fasting during Ramadan)
Riddle: I’m the holy book of Islam believed by Muslims to be the direct revelation of God. I was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over 23 years. What am I?
Answer: The Quran
Riddle: I’m Islam’s holiest city, located in modern-day Saudi Arabia. Muslims face in my direction when they pray five times daily. What city am I?
Answer: Mecca
Riddle: I’m one of the holiest sites in Judaism, located in Jerusalem. Jews believe I’m where Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac. What religious site am I?
Answer: The Temple Mount
Riddle: I’m the largest and oldest church in the Middle East, located in Ethiopia. According to tradition, the Ark of the Covenant is kept within my walls. What church am I?
Answer: The Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion
Culture Riddles
The cultures of Western Asia provide rich material for riddles as well:
Riddle: I’m a Middle Eastern folk tale collection. My stories often feature Scheherazade, a woman who tells stories to a king for 1,001 nights. What collection am I?
Answer: One Thousand and One Nights
Riddle: I’m a traditional Middle Eastern garment worn by men. I come in variations like the thawb, dishdasha, and kandura. What am I?
Answer: A thobe or Arabian robe
Riddle: I’m a traditional dance where dancers form a line or circle, holding hands or arms. I’m popular at celebrations across Western Asia. What dance am I?
Answer: Dabke
Riddle: I’m a cylindrical Persian hat worn by men. I’m associated with figures like genies and come in colors like red and navy blue. What hat am I?
Answer: A fez hat
Riddle: I’m a traditional stew commonly eaten in the Middle East, Turkey, and Armenia. My main ingredients are usually meat, potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers. What dish am I?
Answer: Ghormeh sabzi
Modern Riddles
Finally, let’s look at some riddles related to modern Western Asia:
Riddle: I’m the largest airline in the Middle East, based in Dubai. My name means “excellence.” What airline am I?
Answer: Emirates
Riddle: I’m a Middle Eastern country that contains the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. I’m known for my opulent hotels and shopping. What country am I?
Answer: The United Arab Emirates
Riddle: I’m a major global oil company originally founded by the Iranian government in the 1950s. I employ over 80,000 people worldwide. What company am I?
Answer: The National Iranian Oil Company
Riddle: I’m a major port city in Yemen and the temporary capital during recent conflicts. I was known as “Arabia Felix” in ancient Roman times. What city am I?
Answer: Aden
Riddle: I’m an internationally popular Turkish TV drama that has been exported around the world. My main character is a Suleiman the Magnificent, an Ottoman sultan. What show am I?
Answer: Magnificent Century
Conclusion
How did you do with these riddles? Western Asia has such a rich culture, history, geography, and people that there’s no shortage of intriguing facts to make riddles from. Riddles help teach us important details about places in memorable and creative ways. The next time you travel anywhere in the Middle East or meet someone from there, see if you can stump them with one of these brain teasers about their homeland!
