Mongolia Quiz: Steppes, Gers and Genghis Khan
This Mongolia quiz explores the land of the endless steppe, from the capital Ulaanbaatar and the giant statue of Genghis Khan to the Gobi Desert and its dinosaur fossils, felt tents called gers, the Naadam festival, wild Przewalski's horses, Bactrian camels, throat singing and Kazakh eagle hunters. Ten questions.
Start Mongolia Quiz
🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 90 Seconds
Capital
What is the capital of Mongolia, often called the coldest capital city in the world?
History
Which leader founded the Mongol Empire in 1206, which became the largest land empire in history?
Homes
What are the round, portable felt tents used by Mongolian herders called?
Festivals
Naadam, Mongolia's biggest festival, features which three manly sports?
Deserts
The Gobi Desert is famous for discoveries of what?
Animals
Which wild horse, once extinct in the wild, has been reintroduced to Mongolia's steppes?
Music
What is the Mongolian art of singing two notes at once called?
Traditions
In western Mongolia, Kazakh hunters train which bird to hunt foxes?
Camels
Mongolia's camels are which kind?
Population
Mongolia is known for having one of the lowest what in the world?
Your score
0/10
Scroll down to see the explanation for each question.
Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions
- Q1: What is the capital of Mongolia, often called the coldest capital city in the world?
Answer: Ulaanbaatar
Winter temperatures in Ulaanbaatar often fall below −30°C. Nearly half of Mongolia's people live there.
- Q2: Which leader founded the Mongol Empire in 1206, which became the largest land empire in history?
Answer: Genghis Khan
His grandson Kublai Khan later ruled China. A 40-meter stainless steel statue of Genghis Khan on horseback stands east of Ulaanbaatar.
- Q3: What are the round, portable felt tents used by Mongolian herders called?
Answer: Gers
Gers, also known as yurts, can be taken down and moved in a few hours. Many families in Ulaanbaatar still live in them.
- Q4: Naadam, Mongolia's biggest festival, features which three manly sports?
Answer: Archery, horse racing and wrestling
Naadam is held every July. Jockeys in the horse races are often children, and women now compete in archery.
- Q5: The Gobi Desert is famous for discoveries of what?
Answer: Dinosaur fossils and eggs
In the 1920s, explorer Roy Chapman Andrews found the first scientifically recognized dinosaur eggs at the Flaming Cliffs.
- Q6: Which wild horse, once extinct in the wild, has been reintroduced to Mongolia's steppes?
Answer: Przewalski's horse
Przewalski's horse, called takhi in Mongolian, is the last truly wild horse species. Hustai National Park is home to many.
- Q7: What is the Mongolian art of singing two notes at once called?
Answer: Throat singing
Throat singing, or khöömei, imitates sounds of nature such as wind and water. UNESCO lists it as intangible heritage.
- Q8: In western Mongolia, Kazakh hunters train which bird to hunt foxes?
Answer: Golden eagles
The Golden Eagle Festival in Bayan-Ölgii attracts visitors from around the world each autumn. Hunters pass their skills from parents to children.
- Q9: Mongolia's camels are which kind?
Answer: Two-humped Bactrian camels
Bactrian camels survive extreme heat and cold in the Gobi. Their wool is used for warm clothing.
- Q10: Mongolia is known for having one of the lowest what in the world?
Answer: Population densities
Mongolia has about 3.5 million people spread over 1.5 million square kilometers, with far more livestock than people.
Mongolia Quiz – The Land of the Eternal Blue Sky
Mongolia is a vast, landlocked country between Russia and China, known for its endless grasslands, deserts and mountains. It is one of the most sparsely populated countries on Earth, with about 3.5 million people and tens of millions of horses, sheep, goats, cattle and camels. Many Mongolians still live as nomadic herders, moving with their animals across the steppe.
In the 13th century, Genghis Khan united the Mongol tribes and founded an empire that became the largest connected land empire in history, stretching from Korea to Eastern Europe. His grandson Kublai Khan ruled China and welcomed the traveler Marco Polo. The Mongol Empire helped connect East and West through trade along the Silk Road.
Modern Mongolia became independent in the early 20th century and was a communist state until 1990, when it became a democracy. Ulaanbaatar, the capital, is a fast-growing city where modern buildings stand beside districts of traditional gers. It is often called the coldest capital in the world, with very long, harsh winters.
Mongolia's landscapes and traditions draw adventurous travelers. The Gobi Desert, with its singing sand dunes and dinosaur fossils, covers the south. Wild Przewalski's horses roam reintroduction parks, and Kazakh eagle hunters train golden eagles in the west. The Naadam festival celebrates wrestling, archery and horse racing, and throat singing produces haunting harmonies.
This quiz covers the history, nature, traditions and daily life of Mongolia.
Hospitality is central to nomadic life. Travelers who arrive at a ger are offered salty milk tea, dried curds and sometimes a meal, even by strangers. Families move camp several times a year to find fresh pasture for their animals. Horses are especially important: children learn to ride almost as soon as they can walk, and many Mongolians say a person without a horse is like a bird without wings.
What This Quiz Teaches
This quiz is perfect for adventurers, history fans and nature lovers.
- Mongolia's capital and its cold climate
- Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire
- Nomadic life and gers
- The Naadam festival
- The Gobi Desert and its fossils
- Unique traditions like throat singing and eagle hunting
Quick Facts About Mongolia
- Mongolia's currency is the tögrög.
- Mongolia has around 250 sunny days a year, earning it the name Land of the Eternal Blue Sky.
- Airag, fermented mare's milk, is a traditional drink.
- Lake Khövsgöl holds a large share of Mongolia's fresh water.
- The traditional Mongolian script is written from top to bottom.
- Mongolian wrestlers wear a short jacket open at the front.
Related Quizzes
Ready for another round?
Jump to a random quiz from the archive.