Dive into the fascinating world of Iran with this intriguing trivia that explores its rich history, culture, and geography. From the official language to the origins of the Iranian carpet-weaving tradition, these questions offer a deep look at a nation with a legacy stretching back thousands of years. Whether you’re a history buff or simply curious, there’s something here to pique your interest.
Test your knowledge on everything from Iran’s political structure to its natural landscape, including its mountainous terrain and bordering seas. Did you know Iran holds a hefty share of the world’s oil and gas reserves? This quiz challenges you to connect facts about sports, revolution, and cultural icons like the Achaemenid Empire founder.
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What is the official language spoken in Iran?
Kurdish
Kurdish
Arabic
Arabic
Turkish
Turkish
Persian
Persian
Which mountain is the highest peak in Iran and all of the Middle East?
Zard Kuh
Zard Kuh
Damavand
Damavand
Alvand
Alvand
Sabalan
Sabalan
What is the capital city of Iran?
Isfahan
Isfahan
Tehran
Tehran
Tabriz
Tabriz
Shiraz
Shiraz
Which desert is located in central Iran and is one of the world’s largest salt deserts?
Sahara
Sahara
Gobi Desert
Gobi Desert
Dasht-e Kavir
Dasht-e Kavir
Thar Desert
Thar Desert
Which empire, originating in Iran, was known for its tolerance and innovative governance over vast territories?
Mongol Empire
Mongol Empire
Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
Roman Empire
Roman Empire
Achaemenid Empire
Achaemenid Empire
Which ancient ruins near Shiraz were once the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire?
Nineveh
Nineveh
Persepolis
Persepolis
Uruk
Uruk
Babylon
Babylon
What is the primary religion practiced by most Iranians?
Islam
Islam
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism
Judaism
Judaism
Christianity
Christianity
Which river is the longest within Iran?
Euphrates
Euphrates
Nile
Nile
Araxes
Araxes
Karun
Karun
Which Persian poet, author of the ‘Shahnameh,’ is one of the most celebrated figures in Iranian literature?
Rumi
Rumi
Hafez
Hafez
Ferdowsi
Ferdowsi
Saadi
Saadi
Which traditional Iranian dish primarily consists of fluffy steamed white rice, often served with a golden crust (tahdig) and sometimes adorned with saffron, typically accompanying main dishes like stews or kebabs?
Tabbouleh
Tabbouleh
Dolma
Dolma
Pilaf
Pilaf
Chelo
Chelo
What precious stone, historically mined in Iran for thousands of years, is strongly associated with Persian jewelry?
Diamond
Diamond
Emerald
Emerald
Turquoise
Turquoise
Ruby
Ruby
Which ancient religion, with fire temples, originated in Iran and influenced later belief systems?
Manichaeism
Manichaeism
Buddhism
Buddhism
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism
Judaism
Judaism
Which strait, vital for global oil transport, is located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula?
Strait of Hormuz
Strait of Hormuz
Strait of Gibraltar
Strait of Gibraltar
Bosporus
Bosporus
Strait of Malacca
Strait of Malacca
What is the official currency of Iran?
Dirham
Dirham
Dinar
Dinar
Toman
Toman
Rial
Rial
Which city is famous for its blue-tiled mosques and stunning Islamic architecture, including the Naqsh-e Jahan Square?
Rasht
Rasht
Qom
Qom
Mashhad
Mashhad
Isfahan
Isfahan
Which national festival marks the Persian New Year and the arrival of spring?
Nowruz
Nowruz
Ramadan
Ramadan
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha
Yalda
Yalda
The Caspian Sea borders Iran to the north. What notable feature does the Caspian Sea hold?
Freshest water source in Asia
Freshest water source in Asia
Deepest saltwater lake
Deepest saltwater lake
World’s largest enclosed inland body of water
World’s largest enclosed inland body of water
Smallest sea by area
Smallest sea by area
Which Persian scientist is called the ‘Father of Algebra’?
Avicenna
Avicenna
Razi
Razi
Al-Khwarizmi
Al-Khwarizmi
Omar Khayyam
Omar Khayyam
The city of Yazd is renowned for which traditional system of cooling and air ventilation?
Windcatchers (Badgirs)
Windcatchers (Badgirs)
Roman aqueducts
Roman aqueducts
Sardar system
Sardar system
Hammams
Hammams
Which flower is crucial for the world’s supply of saffron, with Iran as the major producer?
Tulip
Tulip
Crocus
Crocus
Lily
Lily
Rose
Rose
What is the name of the long, covered marketplace in Tehran, famous for traditional crafts and goods?
Spice Market
Spice Market
Souk al-Hamidiyah
Souk al-Hamidiyah
La Boqueria
La Boqueria
Grand Bazaar
Grand Bazaar
Which UN World Heritage site near the city of Kerman features a vast mud-brick citadel?
Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat
Arg-e Bam
Arg-e Bam
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu
Alhambra
Alhambra
Which ancient king ordered the construction of Persepolis?
Darius I
Darius I
Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great
Cyrus the Great
Cyrus the Great
Artaxerxes III
Artaxerxes III
Which mountain range stretches along the northern edge of Iran near the Caspian Sea?
Caucasus Mountains
Caucasus Mountains
Zagros Mountains
Zagros Mountains
Himalayas
Himalayas
Alborz Mountains
Alborz Mountains
Farsi, the modern Persian language, uses which script for writing?
Chinese
Chinese
Cyrillic
Cyrillic
Latin
Latin
Modified Arabic
Modified Arabic
Which city is a major pilgrimage destination because of the Imam Reza Shrine, drawing millions of visitors yearly?
Qom
Qom
Karaj
Karaj
Mashhad
Mashhad
Tabriz
Tabriz
Which traditional Persian instrument resembles a hammered dulcimer?
Tar
Tar
Setar
Setar
Santur
Santur
Ney
Ney
What is the name of the semi-arid plateau that covers much of central Iran?
Persian Plateau
Persian Plateau
Gobi Plateau
Gobi Plateau
Tibetan Plateau
Tibetan Plateau
Deccan Plateau
Deccan Plateau
Which city is considered the center of Persian poetry, home to the tombs of Hafez and Saadi?
Qazvin
Qazvin
Isfahan
Isfahan
Shiraz
Shiraz
Bandar Abbas
Bandar Abbas
The Qajar Dynasty, which ruled from the late 18th to early 20th century, moved Iran’s capital to which city?
Tehran
Tehran
Mashhad
Mashhad
Tabriz
Tabriz
Isfahan
Isfahan
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