What is mansaf, Jordan's national dish?

Lamb cooked in fermented yogurt sauce, served over rice

Jordan Quiz: The Dead Sea, Wadi Rum and Ancient Cities

This Jordan quiz explores the Middle Eastern kingdom beyond Petra, from the capital Amman and the Roman ruins of Jerash to the Dead Sea, the red desert of Wadi Rum, the Red Sea port of Aqaba, the Jordan River, the national dish mansaf and the film Lawrence of Arabia. Ten questions.

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

Question 1 / 10 Time: 90s

Capital
What is the capital of Jordan?
Dead Sea
Why do swimmers float so easily in the Dead Sea?
Deserts
Which red desert valley in southern Jordan has been used to film movies set on Mars?
Ruins
Which city north of Amman has some of the best-preserved Roman ruins outside Italy?
Film
Which 1962 film starring Peter O'Toole was partly filmed in Wadi Rum?
Coast
Jordan's only seaport, Aqaba, lies on which body of water?
Food
What is mansaf, Jordan's national dish?
Rivers
Which river, important in the Bible, forms part of Jordan's western border?
Maps
The Madaba Map, in a church in Madaba, is the oldest surviving map of what?
Monarchy
Jordan's royal family belongs to which dynasty?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: What is the capital of Jordan?
Answer: Amman
Amman was built on seven hills, like Rome. Its Citadel and Roman Theatre show its ancient past as Philadelphia.
Q2: Why do swimmers float so easily in the Dead Sea?
Answer: The water is very salty
The Dead Sea is almost ten times saltier than the ocean. Its shore is the lowest point on land, more than 430 meters below sea level.
Q3: Which red desert valley in southern Jordan has been used to film movies set on Mars?
Answer: Wadi Rum
Films including The Martian and Dune used Wadi Rum's red sand and towering rocks. Bedouin camps welcome visitors overnight.
Q4: Which city north of Amman has some of the best-preserved Roman ruins outside Italy?
Answer: Jerash
Jerash has colonnaded streets, theaters, temples and a huge oval plaza. Chariot race shows are held in its hippodrome.
Q5: Which 1962 film starring Peter O'Toole was partly filmed in Wadi Rum?
Answer: Lawrence of Arabia
T. E. Lawrence traveled through Wadi Rum during the Arab Revolt in World War I. A rock formation is named the Seven Pillars of Wisdom after his book.
Q6: Jordan's only seaport, Aqaba, lies on which body of water?
Answer: The Red Sea
Aqaba sits on the Gulf of Aqaba, an arm of the Red Sea. Its coral reefs are popular for snorkeling and diving.
Q7: What is mansaf, Jordan's national dish?
Answer: Lamb cooked in fermented yogurt sauce, served over rice
Mansaf is served on a large platter at weddings and celebrations. Traditionally, it is eaten with the right hand.
Q8: Which river, important in the Bible, forms part of Jordan's western border?
Answer: The Jordan River
Bethany Beyond the Jordan, believed to be the site of Jesus's baptism, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Q9: The Madaba Map, in a church in Madaba, is the oldest surviving map of what?
Answer: The Holy Land
The 6th-century mosaic map includes the oldest surviving image of Jerusalem. Madaba is known as the City of Mosaics.
Q10: Jordan's royal family belongs to which dynasty?
Answer: The Hashemites
The country's official name is the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. It gained independence in 1946.

Jordan Quiz – Kingdom of Ancient Wonders

Jordan is a small kingdom in the Middle East, bordered by Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria and the Jordan River valley. Despite its modest size and lack of oil, it is one of the region's most rewarding travel destinations, packed with ancient cities, desert landscapes and warm hospitality. Its most famous site, Petra, is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

The land has been at the crossroads of civilizations for thousands of years. Nabataeans, Romans, Byzantines and Islamic dynasties all left their mark. Jerash preserves an entire Roman city, Madaba has beautiful Byzantine mosaics, and desert castles show early Islamic architecture. The modern Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan became independent in 1946.

Jordan's natural landscapes are just as remarkable. The Dead Sea, the lowest point on land, is so salty that people float effortlessly. Wadi Rum's red sands and sandstone mountains have starred in films set on Mars and in Lawrence of Arabia. The Dana Biosphere Reserve offers hiking, and Aqaba on the Red Sea has colorful coral reefs.

Jordanians are known for their generosity to guests. Bedouin traditions of hospitality remain strong, with sweet tea and Arabic coffee offered to visitors. Mansaf, lamb cooked in a yogurt sauce, is the national dish, and street foods like falafel and knafeh are everywhere. Amman, the capital, mixes ancient ruins with modern cafés and lively markets.

This quiz covers Jordan's history, landscapes, culture and food.

Jordan is also a land of adventure. Hikers follow the Jordan Trail for weeks from the north to the Red Sea, canyoners wade through the narrow gorge of Wadi Mujib, and climbers scale the sandstone cliffs of Wadi Rum. Hot-air balloon flights over the desert at sunrise, stargazing in Bedouin camps and floating in the Dead Sea make it a favorite for travelers seeking unusual experiences.

What This Quiz Teaches

This quiz is perfect for travelers, history fans and film lovers.

Jordan's capital and ancient cities
Why the Dead Sea is so unusual
Wadi Rum's role in famous films
Roman ruins at Jerash
Jordan's national dish and hospitality
Biblical and historical sites

Quick Facts About Jordan

Jordan's currency is the Jordanian dinar.
The Dead Sea is shrinking by about a meter each year.
The Jordan Trail crosses the country from north to south.
Arabic is the official language.
Mount Nebo is where Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land.
Jordan has hosted large numbers of refugees from neighboring countries.