Al-Azhar in Cairo is famous for being what?

One of the oldest continuously operating universities

Coptic Cairo's Hanging Church gets its name because it was built over what?

A gatehouse of a Roman fortress

Cairo Quiz: Minarets, Bazaars and the Nile of Egypt

This Cairo quiz explores Egypt's vast capital on the Nile, with questions on what its name means, the Fatimids, Al-Azhar University, the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, the Citadel of Saladin and the Muhammad Ali Mosque, the lotus-shaped Cairo Tower, the Hanging Church in Coptic Cairo, Zamalek island, Africa's first metro and the City of the Dead. Ten questions.

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🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 90 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 90s

Names
What does Cairo's Arabic name, al-Qahira, mean?
Universities
Al-Azhar in Cairo is famous for being what?
Bazaars
Which centuries-old bazaar in Islamic Cairo is famous for lanterns, spices and jewelry?
Fortresses
Which medieval sultan began building the Cairo Citadel in the 12th century?
Nicknames
Because of its many mosques, Cairo is often called the City of a Thousand what?
Towers
The Cairo Tower, built in 1961 on Gezira Island, was designed to look like what?
Churches
Coptic Cairo's Hanging Church gets its name because it was built over what?
Islands
Which leafy Nile island district in Cairo is known for embassies, cafés and the Cairo Opera House?
Metro
In 1987, the Cairo Metro became the first full metro system on which continent?
Cemeteries
What is unusual about Cairo's City of the Dead?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: What does Cairo's Arabic name, al-Qahira, mean?
Answer: The Victorious
The Fatimid dynasty founded the city in 969. Its name may be linked to the planet Mars, which was rising when the city was founded.
Q2: Al-Azhar in Cairo is famous for being what?
Answer: One of the oldest continuously operating universities
Al-Azhar Mosque was founded in the 970s and soon became a center of Islamic learning. Students from around the world still study there.
Q3: Which centuries-old bazaar in Islamic Cairo is famous for lanterns, spices and jewelry?
Answer: Khan el-Khalili
The bazaar dates from the 14th century. El Fishawy café, nearby, has served tea and coffee for more than 200 years.
Q4: Which medieval sultan began building the Cairo Citadel in the 12th century?
Answer: Saladin
The fortress was the seat of Egypt's rulers for about 700 years. The Muhammad Ali Mosque, with its tall slender minarets, crowns it.
Q5: Because of its many mosques, Cairo is often called the City of a Thousand what?
Answer: Minarets
Historic Cairo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its skyline is full of towers from the Fatimid, Mamluk and Ottoman eras.
Q6: The Cairo Tower, built in 1961 on Gezira Island, was designed to look like what?
Answer: A lotus plant
The 187-meter concrete tower has a lattice design. Its revolving restaurant and observation deck offer views of the Nile and the pyramids.
Q7: Coptic Cairo's Hanging Church gets its name because it was built over what?
Answer: A gatehouse of a Roman fortress
The church sits above the gate of the Babylon Fortress. Coptic Christians have worshipped in this part of Cairo for many centuries.
Q8: Which leafy Nile island district in Cairo is known for embassies, cafés and the Cairo Opera House?
Answer: Zamalek
Zamalek sits on the northern part of Gezira Island. Its quiet streets are lined with villas and old apartment buildings.
Q9: In 1987, the Cairo Metro became the first full metro system on which continent?
Answer: Africa
It carries millions of passengers every day. Some cars on each train are reserved for women.
Q10: What is unusual about Cairo's City of the Dead?
Answer: Families live among the tombs
The vast historic cemetery holds the tombs of sultans and nobles. Many people have made homes in and around the mausoleums.

Cairo Quiz – The Mother of the World

Cairo is the capital of Egypt and one of the largest cities in Africa and the Arab world, with more than 20 million people in its metropolitan area. Spreading along the Nile, it is a city of minarets, markets, museums and endless traffic. Egyptians often call it Masr, the same name they use for the country.

Although the pyramids of Giza stand at its edge, Cairo itself was founded in 969 by the Fatimid dynasty, who named it al-Qahira, the Victorious. They built Al-Azhar Mosque, which became one of the oldest universities in the world. Later, Saladin began the Citadel, and the Mamluks filled the city with mosques, schools and tombs.

Historic Cairo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the oldest Islamic cities in the world. Visitors explore the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, the Muhammad Ali Mosque on the Citadel and the Sultan Hassan Mosque. Coptic Cairo holds the Hanging Church and other ancient Christian sites.

Modern Cairo grew in the 19th and 20th centuries with European-style districts, bridges and boulevards. The Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square holds treasures of the pharaohs, and the Cairo Tower rises on Gezira Island. Zamalek is a leafy island district, and the City of the Dead is home to many families.

Cairenes love koshary, ful medames, mint tea and evenings by the Nile on felucca boats. The Grand Egyptian Museum lies near Giza.

Cairo is also a center of Arab culture. Its film industry, singers such as Umm Kulthum and its publishers made it famous across the Arab world, and the Cairo Opera House hosts concerts and ballet. A new administrative capital is being built to the east.

This quiz covers the history, landmarks, neighborhoods and culture of Cairo.

What This Quiz Teaches

This quiz is perfect for history fans, travelers and students of the Middle East.

What Cairo's name means and who founded it
Al-Azhar and Khan el-Khalili
The Citadel and Cairo's minarets
The Cairo Tower and the Hanging Church
Zamalek and the Cairo Metro
The City of the Dead

Quick Facts About Cairo

Cairo is often nicknamed Umm al-Dunya, the Mother of the World.
The Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square opened in 1902.
Felucca sailboats offer short trips on the Nile.
The Sultan Hassan Mosque is one of the largest medieval mosques.
Cairo has very little rain, often only a few days a year.
Al-Muizz Street is lined with medieval Islamic monuments.