Quiz Time...

[Carol Al-Ajroush]

Geez, I obviously have too much time on my hands today....but decided since we live in such a bi-cultural neighborhood to see how folks here do on a quiz I gave recently during an "Arabian Nights" evening:

1. What is the oldest city in Saudi Arabia?

2. In which Arab country was the wheel invented?

3. Which Arab country receives the most foreign visitors per year?

4. What is the traditional form of greeting in the Arab world?

5. Name the capitol of Morocco?

6. Which is the largest Arab country?

7. Where did the first camels in Australia come from?

8. Which Arab country had a US consulate as early as 1787?

9. When did the USA establish diplomatic relations with KSA?

10. Which of the Pakistani missiles is named after an Arabian falcon?

11. How many countries make up the Arab League?

5 point bonus – name them:



And please....submit your challenges too!

[Homer Simpson]

I don't know the answers to those questions but I could cheat and look them up in the CIA factbook. But I do have these questions three.

(1) What is the capital of Asyria?

(2) What is the velocity of an unladen Swallow?

(3) What is your favorite color?

[afgm]

Do you mean an african or a european swallow? (That will get rid of you for a while:D)

quote:Originally posted by Homer Simpson

I don't know the answers to those questions but I could cheat and look them up in the CIA factbook. But I do have these questions three.

(1) What is the capital of Asyria?

(2) What is the velocity of an unladen Swallow?

(3) What is your favorite color?

[brim]

quote:Originally posted by Homer Simpson

(3) What is your favorite color?


Blue....NONO!!!#!#%!

[Pats_fan]

quote:(3) What is your favorite color?
Blue....No....Yell....Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrggggg ggggghhhhhhh!



But, seriously, is the answer to Carol's question #3 Saudi Arabia (b/c of Mecca)?

[boomertsfx]

1. Jeddah?
2. Iraq/Mess-o-potamia
3. Egypt?
4. Handshake (or do you meen verbal?)
5. Rabat
6. Sudan
7. Canary Islands
8. Morocco
9. 1933
10. Shaheen
11. 22

I used a #2 pencil...

[T8erman]

Some I know off the top of my head. Others I could Google

Wheel - Mesopatamia
Morocco Capital - Rabat
Greeting - assalamu alaikam (sp?)
Arab League - 22

As for the consulate in 1787. Not sure if your year is correct. I thought the Treaty of Marrakech (sp?) in 1787 was out first "offical" treaty/dealing with any Arab/Muslim country (Morocco). We did not establish a consulate there until 1797. Just a thought

And Homer, it is not the CIA Factbook. It is the CIA World Factbook :-)

[Carol Al-Ajroush]

You get the GOLD STAR for number 3. :D Yep...due to the Hajj and Mecca, Saudi Arabia receives more foreign visitors per year than any other arab country.


quote:Originally posted by Pats_fan

quote:(3) What is your favorite color?
Blue....No....Yell....Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrggggg ggggghhhhhhh!



But, seriously, is the answer to Carol's question #3 Saudi Arabia (b/c of Mecca)?

[Carol Al-Ajroush]

Hmmmm....You've stumped me there Homer! But I can answer for 3... BLUE BLUE BLUE! :D

quote:Originally posted by Homer Simpson

I don't know the answers to those questions but I could cheat and look them up in the CIA factbook. But I do have these questions three.

(1) What is the capital of Asyria?

(2) What is the velocity of an unladen Swallow?

(3) What is your favorite color?

[Carol Al-Ajroush]

Not too bad...but maybe I should grade on a curve! :D

quote:Originally posted by boomertsfx

1. Jeddah? Not correct.
2. Iraq/Mess-o-potamia Not correct.
3. Egypt? Not Correct.
4. Handshake (or do you meen verbal?) Verbal please!
5. Rabat Alright!
6. Sudan Correct!
7. Canary Islands Try again please!
8. Morocco Alright!
9. 1933 I'm impressed!
10. Shaheen Awesome
11. 22 But you aren't going to try for the 5 point bonus and name them?

I used a #2 pencil...

[Carol Al-Ajroush]

quote:Originally posted by T8erman

Some I know off the top of my head. Others I could Google

Wheel - Mesopatamia Nope
Morocco Capital - Rabat Yep
Greeting - assalamu alaikam (sp?) Very Good
Arab League - 22 --- but you're not going to name them either? [:p]

As for the consulate in 1787. Not sure if your year is correct. I thought the Treaty of Marrakech (sp?) in 1787 was out first "offical" treaty/dealing with any Arab/Muslim country (Morocco). We did not establish a consulate there until 1797. Just a thought

Now I'm not sure about the above...on my research on Morocco I found where it said the consulate was established in 1787 but if the CIA says it was 1797 who am I to dispute? [8D]

And Homer, it is not the CIA Factbook. It is the CIA World Factbook :-)

[Carol Al-Ajroush]

Okay Homer... when Asyria -was- recognized as a nation, I believe the capital was then Babylon.

quote:Originally posted by Homer Simpson

I don't know the answers to those questions but I could cheat and look them up in the CIA factbook. But I do have these questions three.

(1) What is the capital of Asyria?

(2) What is the velocity of an unladen Swallow?

(3) What is your favorite color?

[Homer Simpson]

quote:Originally posted by T8erman

And Homer, it is not the CIA Factbook. It is the CIA World Factbook :-)


Shhh! You're giving too much away, Dude! ;)

[boomertsfx]

I would like to appeal my grading on question 7.

http://www.camelsaust.com.au/

"The first camel in Australia was imported from the Canary Islands in 1840 by Horrock. The next major group of 24 camels came out in 1860 for the ill-fated Bourke and Wills expedition. The first time the explorer Giles used camels he travelled 220 miles in 8 days without giving water to the camels. He later went from Bunbury Downs to Queen Victoria Springs (WA), a distance of 325 miles in 17 days and gave one bucket of water to each camel after the twelfth day."

and

"A man named “Horrock” brought the first Dromedary Camel (Dromadeus bactrianus) to Australia on the 12th October 1840, at Port Adelaide in South Australia. It was the only survivor of a group of camels that was shipped from the Canary Islands, north-west Africa."

"The camels that were bred in these studs were more superior in quality that their counterparts in the camels native India and Pakistan, but the camels from these parts of the world were still being imported till 1907, because of the large necessity of cheap camels."

[Carol Al-Ajroush]

Okay Boomer, you and my spouse will have to debate this one out since this was one of his questions on our quiz. He's an Arab diplomat and was posted to Australia among other places. During his discussions with Australian officials he learned that the first camels to Australia came from Afghanistan. So the government of Australia is laying camel claim to Afghanistan...


quote:Originally posted by boomertsfx

I would like to appeal my grading on question 7.

http://www.camelsaust.com.au/

"The first camel in Australia was imported from the Canary Islands in 1840 by Horrock. The next major group of 24 camels came out in 1860 for the ill-fated Bourke and Wills expedition. The first time the explorer Giles used camels he travelled 220 miles in 8 days without giving water to the camels. He later went from Bunbury Downs to Queen Victoria Springs (WA), a distance of 325 miles in 17 days and gave one bucket of water to each camel after the twelfth day."

and

"A man named “Horrock” brought the first Dromedary Camel (Dromadeus bactrianus) to Australia on the 12th October 1840, at Port Adelaide in South Australia. It was the only survivor of a group of camels that was shipped from the Canary Islands, north-west Africa."

"The camels that were bred in these studs were more superior in quality that their counterparts in the camels native India and Pakistan, but the camels from these parts of the world were still being imported till 1907, because of the large necessity of cheap camels."

[Carol Al-Ajroush]

Hey not bad...we still need a correct answer to question one -- What is the oldest city in Saudi Arabia. Number 7 is under debate....and noone has attempted to identify the countries which make up the Arab League.

[Pats_fan]

All this camel talk is making me Wobbly. I can't get their padded hooves, hooded eyes, bendy necks and long tails out of my mind...

And, yes, if you know what I'm talking about you need just as much help as I do...

[gammonbabe]

I don't know by far enough about the middle east to even think that I can get many right here, but lets just guess (and I know I could research it easy on the web, but I don't cheat).

quote:Originally posted by Carol Al-Ajroush



1. What is the oldest city in Saudi Arabia?
Mecca
2. In which Arab country was the wheel invented?
Egypt
3. Which Arab country receives the most foreign visitors per year?
Egypt
4. What is the traditional form of greeting in the Arab world?
Salam Alaikum (sp)
5. Name the capitol of Morocco?
Rabat
6. Which is the largest Arab country?
Egypt
7. Where did the first camels in Australia come from?
Jemen
8. Which Arab country had a US consulate as early as 1787?
Egypt
9. When did the USA establish diplomatic relations with KSA?
clueless
10. Which of the Pakistani missiles is named after an Arabian falcon?
maltese
11. How many countries make up the Arab League?
7
5 point bonus – name them:



And please....submit your challenges too!



So most of these I guessed wildly. :)

Marianne

[gammonbabe]

And of course the answer to everything:


42



quote:Originally posted by Carol Al-Ajroush

Geez, I obviously have too much time on my hands today....but decided since we live in such a bi-cultural neighborhood to see how folks here do on a quiz I gave recently during an "Arabian Nights" evening:

1. What is the oldest city in Saudi Arabia?

2. In which Arab country was the wheel invented?

3. Which Arab country receives the most foreign visitors per year?

4. What is the traditional form of greeting in the Arab world?

5. Name the capitol of Morocco?

6. Which is the largest Arab country?

7. Where did the first camels in Australia come from?

8. Which Arab country had a US consulate as early as 1787?

9. When did the USA establish diplomatic relations with KSA?

10. Which of the Pakistani missiles is named after an Arabian falcon?

11. How many countries make up the Arab League?

5 point bonus – name them:



And please....submit your challenges too!

[boomertsfx]

• The Hashemite Kingdom Of Jordan
• United Arab Emirates
• Kingdom Of Bahrain
• Republic Of Tunisia
• Democratic And Popular Republic Of Algeria
• Republic Of Djibouti
• Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia
• Rebuplic Of Sudan
• Arab Rebuplic Of Syria
• Republic Of Somalia
• Republic Of Iraq
• Sultanate Of Oman
• State Of Palestine
• State Of Qatar
• Federal Islamic Republic Of Comoros
• State Of Kuwait
• Republic Of Lebanon
• Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
• Arab Republic Of Egypt
• Kingdom Of Morocco
• Islamic Republic Of Mauritania
• Republic Of Yemen

Does Iraq still count with the new puppet (lets hope not) government? :)

[boomertsfx]

Carol, what info do you have on the wheel? You said Iraq/Mesopotamia was wrong.

"Based on diagrams on ancient clay tablets, the earliest known use of this essential invention was a potter’s wheel that was used at Ur in Mesopotamia (part of modern day Iraq} as early as 3500 BC. The first use of the wheel for transportation was probably on Mesopotamian chariots in 3200 BC. It is interesting to note that wheels may have had industrial or manufacturing applications before they were used on vehicles.

A wheel with spokes first appeared on Egyptian chariots around 2000 BC, and wheels seem to have developed in Europe by 1400 BC without any influence from the Middle East."

"Most authorities credit the ancient Mesopotamians (Sumerians) with the invention of the wheel at about 4000 BC, with an independent invention in China at around 2800 BC."

[Carol Al-Ajroush]

What can I say....I adore camels! I've been on camel treks into the desert while in Pakistan, India and Egypt and loved every single minute to include the snorting, the yelling, the rolling motion like a ship at sea! And then when I was in China I actually got to ride one of the two-humpers! Now that was quite an experience and a more comfortable ride too.

But among my unique experiences was in Pakistan...this old man was atop his camel (and of course his camel was very colorfully decorated and tattooed). He started singing while atop the camel and I swear, the camel danced. It got up on its hind legs and performed a jig! I was told that it is very common for a close bond to form between a camel and its owner -- especially in the Bedioun world.

If anyone needs a quick camel fix, the petting zoo in Reston has a few there! :D


quote:Originally posted by Pats_fan

All this camel talk is making me Wobbly. I can't get their padded hooves, hooded eyes, bendy necks and long tails out of my mind...

And, yes, if you know what I'm talking about you need just as much help as I do...

[Carol Al-Ajroush]

Good for you....I like the way you answered the questions naturally!


quote:Originally posted by gammonbabe

I don't know by far enough about the middle east to even think that I can get many right here, but lets just guess (and I know I could research it easy on the web, but I don't cheat).

quote:Originally posted by Carol Al-Ajroush



1. What is the oldest city in Saudi Arabia?
Mecca No....noone has answered this one correctly yet!
2. In which Arab country was the wheel invented?
Egypt YES -- gold star
3. Which Arab country receives the most foreign visitors per year?
Egypt No but a good guess. Wouldn't surprise me if this country were rated number 2...
4. What is the traditional form of greeting in the Arab world?
Salam Alaikum (sp) excellent!
5. Name the capitol of Morocco?
Rabat Yes
6. Which is the largest Arab country?
Egypt no, afraid not.
7. Where did the first camels in Australia come from?
Jemen No.
8. Which Arab country had a US consulate as early as 1787?
Egypt No. The answer might surprise you.
9. When did the USA establish diplomatic relations with KSA?
clueless At least you're honest! [8D]
10. Which of the Pakistani missiles is named after an Arabian falcon?
maltese good guess but not correct
11. How many countries make up the Arab League?
7 no...a few more
5 point bonus – name them:



And please....submit your challenges too!



So most of these I guessed wildly. :)

Marianne



Marianne, I think you did alright! When we gave the quiz during our Arabian nights party we had the groups divided into teams and the winning team had a total of 7 correct!

[Carol Al-Ajroush]

I think you just got 3 gold stars! :D:D:D I'm impressed...I always seem to forget about Comoros!


quote:Originally posted by boomertsfx

• The Hashemite Kingdom Of Jordan
• United Arab Emirates
• Kingdom Of Bahrain
• Republic Of Tunisia
• Democratic And Popular Republic Of Algeria
• Republic Of Djibouti
• Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia
• Rebuplic Of Sudan
• Arab Rebuplic Of Syria
• Republic Of Somalia
• Republic Of Iraq
• Sultanate Of Oman
• State Of Palestine
• State Of Qatar
• Federal Islamic Republic Of Comoros
• State Of Kuwait
• Republic Of Lebanon
• Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
• Arab Republic Of Egypt
• Kingdom Of Morocco
• Islamic Republic Of Mauritania
• Republic Of Yemen

Does Iraq still count with the new puppet (lets hope not) government? :)

[Carol Al-Ajroush]

The Egyptian museum lays claim to the wheel being invented in Egypt...and Jeopardy also cites the wheel as being invented in Egypt.

Now this is specifically in context to being used for transportation and not necessarily like a potters wheel.


quote:Originally posted by boomertsfx

Carol, what info do you have on the wheel? You said Iraq/Mesopotamia was wrong.

"Based on diagrams on ancient clay tablets, the earliest known use of this essential invention was a potter’s wheel that was used at Ur in Mesopotamia (part of modern day Iraq} as early as 3500 BC. The first use of the wheel for transportation was probably on Mesopotamian chariots in 3200 BC. It is interesting to note that wheels may have had industrial or manufacturing applications before they were used on vehicles.

A wheel with spokes first appeared on Egyptian chariots around 2000 BC, and wheels seem to have developed in Europe by 1400 BC without any influence from the Middle East."

"Most authorities credit the ancient Mesopotamians (Sumerians) with the invention of the wheel at about 4000 BC, with an independent invention in China at around 2800 BC."

[Carol Al-Ajroush]

Okay....we've got correct answers to all except number one...what is the oldest city in Saudi Arabia. Many believe it to be Mecca but actually it is another city. Don't worry about being stumped...during our Arabian nights party even 2 Saudi diplomats did not get the correct answer but once they heard the name of the city they did remember then that it is in fact the oldest.

[Carol Al-Ajroush]

Since we're down to only one question unanswered who is going to present the next challenge?

[Carol Al-Ajroush]

Boomer,

just had a discussion with my spouse. He advised that Egypt is credited with the development of a ROUND wheel which was used for transporting the large stones during the building of the pyramids. But the mesopotamians invented a square shaped wheel which was not used as what we recognize as todays wheel.

Egypt is credited with the invention of the wheel for transportation as prior to the invention of the round wheel, the ancient Egyptians were using carpets to drag the large stones to the pyramids. This was not efficient hence they started on creation of the round wheel. Egypt was also the first to use a wheel for carriages and chariots.

The above is compliments of my spouse who does not like to type so I'm solely the messenger here.


quote:Originally posted by boomertsfx

Carol, what info do you have on the wheel? You said Iraq/Mesopotamia was wrong.

"Based on diagrams on ancient clay tablets, the earliest known use of this essential invention was a potter’s wheel that was used at Ur in Mesopotamia (part of modern day Iraq} as early as 3500 BC. The first use of the wheel for transportation was probably on Mesopotamian chariots in 3200 BC. It is interesting to note that wheels may have had industrial or manufacturing applications before they were used on vehicles.

A wheel with spokes first appeared on Egyptian chariots around 2000 BC, and wheels seem to have developed in Europe by 1400 BC without any influence from the Middle East."

"Most authorities credit the ancient Mesopotamians (Sumerians) with the invention of the wheel at about 4000 BC, with an independent invention in China at around 2800 BC."

[T8erman]

Carol, from my brief research on the web, I am in agreement with Boomer. Most "experts" credit the wheel AND chariot to the Sumerians. The first known chariot is dated from 3500-3000 BC. The first known Egyptian chariot is from 1500 BC. I could find no site that credits the Egyptians with either.

[Carol Al-Ajroush]

After my postings I also did some web searches and probably found the same sites as you. I showed these sites to my spouse but he still remains true to his view. After the research, my suggested diplomatic compromise is that is appears the original wheel should be credited to the Sumerians and the more modern day wheel to the Egyptians! [8D]

quote:Originally posted by T8erman

Carol, from my brief research on the web, I am in agreement with Boomer. Most "experts" credit the wheel AND chariot to the Sumerians. The first known chariot is dated from 3500-3000 BC. The first known Egyptian chariot is from 1500 BC. I could find no site that credits the Egyptians with either.

[exrook]

quote:Originally posted by Carol Al-Ajroush

Okay....we've got correct answers to all except number one...what is the oldest city in Saudi Arabia. Many believe it to be Mecca but actually it is another city. Don't worry about being stumped...during our Arabian nights party even 2 Saudi diplomats did not get the correct answer but once they heard the name of the city they did remember then that it is in fact the oldest.


Jeddah

[boomertsfx]

Sounds like your husband is a stubborn man =)

[Carol Al-Ajroush]

Good guess but not correct! Of course the answer to this can be found by a google search, but i know noone here would want to do that! [8D]


quote:Originally posted by exrook

quote:Originally posted by Carol Al-Ajroush

Okay....we've got correct answers to all except number one...what is the oldest city in Saudi Arabia. Many believe it to be Mecca but actually it is another city. Don't worry about being stumped...during our Arabian nights party even 2 Saudi diplomats did not get the correct answer but once they heard the name of the city they did remember then that it is in fact the oldest.


Jeddah

[Carol Al-Ajroush]

He's an Arab...what more can I say! :D


quote:Originally posted by boomertsfx

Sounds like your husband is a stubborn man =)

[T8erman]

Taif or Medina????

[Carol Al-Ajroush]

No, but those are also excellent guesses! ;)


quote:Originally posted by T8erman

Taif or Medina????

[boomertsfx]

does it still exist?

Here's a few guesses:

Al Bilad
Tabuk
Duba
Ha il
Bakkah (old Makkah?)

So is it really true that non-muslims can't visit Makkah?

[Carol Al-Ajroush]

Yes, it does still exist but it is not any of your guesses below! ;)

Yep...non-Muslims are prohibited from visiting both Mecca and Medina. There are actually checkpoints as well as prominent signs indicating which way non-Muslims should travel! It's not as if one would really be aggresively challenged though. As my spouse explained to me, if a non-Muslim were to claim to be Muslim, they would not be challenged as to whether they were really a Muslim although the Saudi official would likely ask to see documentation to ensure that it's correct (ie, valid visa, passport, photo id).

I guess in a small way this is similar to the Mormon church where non-Mormon's cannot enter the Temples in either Bethesda or Salt Lake City. I'm not sure but I -think- that not just any Mormom could freely enter the Temple either.


quote:Originally posted by boomertsfx

does it still exist?

Here's a few guesses:

Al Bilad
Tabuk
Duba
Ha il
Bakkah (old Makkah?)

So is it really true that non-muslims can't visit Makkah?

[T8erman]

DARYIA [?]

[Carol Al-Ajroush]

Sorry...'fraid not!

If we do not have a correct answer by Wednesday, I'll go ahead and post the answer.


quote:Originally posted by T8erman

DARYIA [?]

[T8erman]

Domat al-Jandal?

[Carol Al-Ajroush]

I've not heard of that town/city! But no...that's not it either!

quote:Originally posted by T8erman

Domat al-Jandal?

[exrook]

quote:Originally posted by Carol Al-Ajroush

I've not heard of that town/city! But no...that's not it either!

quote:Originally posted by T8erman

Domat al-Jandal?



Tarut Island.

[Carol Al-Ajroush]

Sorry...not that one either!

quote:Originally posted by exrook

quote:Originally posted by Carol Al-Ajroush

I've not heard of that town/city! But no...that's not it either!

quote:Originally posted by T8erman

Domat al-Jandal?



Tarut Island.

[T8erman]

It is Thursday, give us the answer!

[Carol Al-Ajroush]

Okay....Mada'in Saleh!


(Mada'in Saleh) in one of the best known archeological sites in Saudi Arabia.
Located (22) Kilometers north of Al -Ula, (Mada'in Saleh) was the southern capital of the (Nabateans) whose northern capital was (Petra). The (Nabateans) flourished from the 1st century (BC) until the first century (AD).


Now it is someone else's turn to post a challenge!

[T8erman]

DOH! I had actually found that city during my research. When you said it "still existed" I was looking for an inhabited city!

[Carol Al-Ajroush]

Mea Culpa! I didnt' mean to confuse you!

So are you going to post the next challenge?