New geography quiz

[kejo]

Originally Posted by Gneq

Since you didn't comment on my #5, I conclude that neither Somalia nor Malawi completes MG's answer... that leaves BURUNDI, I presume...

And is the 4th one in #8 a trick question?

5. Not Burundi, Somalia, or Malawi. A hint: it is a recognized regional language of the fourth country.

8. Not a trick question. The asked-for country has a salient into the Amazon basin...

[Gneq]

Originally Posted by kejo

5. Not Burundi, Somalia, or Malawi. A hint: it is a recognized regional language of the fourth country.

That seems to leave 2 countries, but "official" or even "recognized" anything doesn't seem to be a recognized concept in either of those, so I'll shut up.

[kejo]

For what it's worth, here's what Wikipedia says about that:

================

The official language of *Blankland* is *European language*. Four other languages have the status of national language: *Abelongo*, *Bakerala*, *Charliluba*, and Swahili.

[kejo]

Originally Posted by Gneq

6. What (currently existing) country was named after a living person (now deceased)?

SAUDI ARABIA (I'm guessing Bolivia wasn't named until Bolivar had died)

On re-thinking this, I'm not so sure. Isn't the "Saudi" in "Saudi Arabia" named after a dynasty, the House of Saud, and not just an individual member of that family, Abdul-Aziz ibn Saud? Kind of like The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan?

[Gneq]

Originally Posted by kejo

On re-thinking this, I'm not so sure. Isn't the "Saudi" in "Saudi Arabia" named after a dynasty, the House of Saud, and not just an individual member of that family, Abdul-Aziz bin Saud? Kind of like The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan?

But the name of the dynasty is the equivalent of the family name (like Bolivar). Also, there are 2 differences between Saudi Arabia and Jordan that are both relevant for this question:

1. "Hashemite Kingdom" is part of Jordan's official name, but not of the short (common) name. OTOH, you can't drop "Saudi" from "Saudi Arabia" without losing clarity.

2. "Hashemi" is not a family name in the sense Bolivar or Saud is; it is a clan name. It is not part of the king's full name (at least not as commonly cited): the current King of Jordan is normally not referred to by anything longer than "Abdullah II bin al-Hussein" (given name + father's name, nothing else). By contrast, the Saudi King is Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud.

[kejo]

Originally Posted by Gneq

But the name of the dynasty is the equivalent of the family name (like Bolivar). Also, there are 2 differences between Saudi Arabia and Jordan that are both relevant for this question:

1. "Hashemite Kingdom" is part of Jordan's official name, but not of the short (common) name. OTOH, you can't drop "Saudi" from "Saudi Arabia" without losing clarity.

2. "Hashemi" is not a family name in the sense Bolivar or Saud is; it is a clan name. It is not part of the king's full name (at least not as commonly cited): the current King of Jordan is normally not referred to by anything longer than "Abdullah II bin al-Hussein" (given name + father's name, nothing else). By contrast, the Saudi King is Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud.

Though Bolivia is obviously named in tribute to Simon, and not, say, Tuco Benedito Pacifico Juan Maria "Cheech" Bolivar, the one-eyed pegwright of Cartagena. Whereas Saudi means, "of or pertaining to the House of Saud," and if the country were to change dynasties, might become "Hapsburg Arabia" instead. I'm on the fence about it.

But certainly, you're right that no one would call it just "Arabia." If the country ditched royals altogether, I wonder if it would become the "Republic of Hejaz and Nejd," or somesuch.

[Gneq]

Originally Posted by kejo

Whereas Saudi means, "of or pertaining to the House of Saud," and if the country were to change dynasties, might become "Hapsburg Arabia" instead.

Well, sure, but if Bolivia had been as hospitable to certain individuals in 1945 as was, say, Paraguay, it could have become "Adolfia" instead...

[robox]

For no. 6 there is also the oligarchic nation of Petoria.

[kejo]

Originally Posted by robox

For no. 6 there is also the oligarchic nation of Petoria.

robox, you slappywag!

[demonstah]

Originally Posted by kejo

5. Not Burundi, Somalia, or Malawi. A hint: it is a recognized regional language of the fourth country.

8. Not a trick question. The asked-for country has a salient into the Amazon basin...

5. How about Mozambique?
8. How about Venezuela?

[dklee12]

Darnit, I always seem to get here too late for these things.

demonstah, I know for certain that Venezuela has an Amazonas in it.

Mozambique would be my guess for #5 as well. If that's correct, what's left... #9?

[kejo]

Originally Posted by demonstah

5. How about Mozambique?
8. How about Venezuela?

No, but...
Yes!

Sorry, dklee!

Oh, and you're right for what's left besides the fourth Swahili:

9. What country's name means "old and bearded"?

[robox]

Originally Posted by kejo

9. What country's name means "old and bearded"?

Antigua = Old
and = and
so, does Barbuda = Bearded?

If that's correct, then I must thank Gneq for putting me on the right track with his Barbados answer. If not, then Gneq, you were of no help to me whatsoever.

[kejo]

Originally Posted by robox

Antigua = Old
and = and
so, does Barbuda = Bearded?

Ding ding ding ding ding ding ding!

We have a winner!

Now the only (partial) one left is, besides Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, what country has Swahili as an official national language? One hint was, it is official in part of the country. Another hint: This country went by a different name until 1997.

[Mike Graham]

Originally Posted by kejo

Ding ding ding ding ding ding ding!

We have a winner!

Now the only (partial) one left is, besides Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, what country has Swahili as an official national language? One hint was, it is official in part of the country. Another hint: It went by a different name until 1997.

The Congo.

[demonstah]

Originally Posted by kejo

Ding ding ding ding ding ding ding!

We have a winner!

Now the only (partial) one left is, besides Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, what country has Swahili as an official national language? One hint was, it is official in part of the country. Another hint: This country went by a different name until 1997.

Even before this hint, which I think makes it pretty obvious, I was going to take a stab with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

ETA: MG beat me to it by a minute, but I still beat him to the "Be more specific" prompt.

[Mike Graham]

Originally Posted by demonstah

Even before this hint, which I think makes it pretty obvious, I was going to take a stab with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

ETA: MG beat me to it by a minute, but I still beat him to the "Be more specific" prompt.

I considered being more specific. I definitely considered saying Zaire.

[robox]

This topic caused me to remember a funny website a friend sent to me. kejo, you've probably seen this one:

http://badflags.wordpress.com/

[kejo]

Originally Posted by robox

This topic caused me to remember a funny website a friend sent to me. kejo, you've probably seen this one:

http://badflags.wordpress.com/

Actually, I haven't seen that site; but have you seen the flag of the Ainu? It looks like a...a...male thingy...going into a...a...female thingy!



Anyway, quiz all wrapped up. Thanks, everybody!

[DHicton]

Originally Posted by kejo

Actually, I haven't seen that site; but have you seen the flag of the Ainu? It looks like a...a...male thingy...going into a...a...female thingy!)

Not necessarily. It could be a depiction of ainu sex.