This was the ceremonial capital of which ancient empire, located in modern-day Iran?
Persepolis
The majority of people in Iran are ethnically Persian and follow this branch of Islam.
Shia
Which country in Southwest Asia is also considered part of Europe due to its historical city of Istanbul?
Turkey
The "Fertile Crescent" was historically productive, but much of it is now degraded. What was its main natural advantage?
Fertile soil from river floods / Access to water from the Tigris & Euphrates
What is the term for an ethnic group without a sovereign state of their own, like the Kurds?
A Stateless Nation
Besides oil, what major resource is found in and around the Caspian Sea?
Natural Gas
This process, used in wealthy Gulf states, removes salt from seawater to make it drinkable.
Desalination
What is the dominant climate type for the interior of Saudi Arabia?
Arid / Desert
What is the name of the sea between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula?
The Persian Gulf (or Arabian Gulf)
What is the vast, sandy desert that covers much of southern Saudi Arabia?
The Rub' al-Khali (Empty Quarter)
Dubai has diversified its economy by becoming a global hub for this and for luxury tourism.
Finance/Banking OR Air Travel/Aviation
The capital of Turkey is NOT Istanbul. What is it?
Ankara
Turkey's largest city, historically called Constantinople, straddles this strategic strait.
The Bosporus Strait
What is the #1 environmental challenge for countries like Jordan and Yemen?
Water Scarcity
Which major regional conflict began with the establishment of Israel in 1948?
The Arab-Israeli Conflict
The Anatolian Peninsula is the heart of which modern country?
Turkey
What is the dominant branch of Islam in Saudi Arabia and most Gulf Arab states?
Sunni Islam
Which country on the Arabian Peninsula is an absolute monarchy ruled by a king?
Saudi Arabia
Which Gulf country is a small island nation connected to Saudi Arabia by a causeway?
Bahrain
These two rivers define the historical region of Mesopotamia.
Tigris and Euphrates
Which country is NOT part of the Arabian Peninsula?
UAE
Qatar
Oman
Lebanon
In which city and country is this building located?
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
This city in Saudi Arabia is the holiest city in Islam and the destination of the Hajj pilgrimage.
Mecca
Dam building on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in one country can cause political tensions with countries downstream. This is an issue of shared what?
Water Resources / Transboundary Water Rights
In which country would you find the historic, contested city of Jerusalem, sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam?
Israel
What is the primary export and foundation of the economy for Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE?
Oil
What major religion originated in Southwest Asia?
Islam
True or False: Israel has significant oil reserves like its Arab neighbors.
False
This body of water is so salty you can float easily, and it's the lowest point on land.
The Dead Sea
What is the main cause of desertification and poor soil quality in Iraqi and Syrian farmlands?
Water scarcity
What is the traditional name for this type of marketplace common across Southwest Asia?
A Bazaar or Souk
What does the acronym OPEC stand for?
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
What type of government does Iran have, where religious leaders hold ultimate political power?
A Theocracy
Which organization is a political union of Arab states in the region?
The Arab League
In which city did Mr. Scott get his bachelor's degree?
Madison, Wisconsin
This neutral, gas-rich country in Central Asia is sometimes grouped with Southwest Asia. Name it.
Turkmenistan
This narrow strait is a global chokepoint for oil shipments from the Persian Gulf.
Strait of Hormuz
Rapid growth of cities like Dubai and Riyadh has increased demand for this resource, which is primarily generated by burning fossil fuels.
Electricity / Energy
What natural resource, besides oil, is Jordan a major producer of, mined from the Dead Sea?
Potash (a potassium-based fertilizer)
The ongoing dispute over the lands called the West Bank and Gaza Strip is between the Palestinians and which country?
Israel