Know Your Regions of the World

Question: What region is often referred to as “the roof of the world”?

Answer: Tibet, a historic region and an autonomous region of China, is often referred to as “the roof of the world.” It is situated on a high plateau surrounded by enormous mountain ranges.

Question: Which region of Russia and northern Kazakhstan, whose name is derived from the Tatar term for “sleeping land,” is notorious for the length and severity of its winters?

Answer: Siberia is a vast region of Russia and northern Kazakhstan, constituting all of northern Asia. Its name is derived from the Tatar term for “sleeping land,” and it is notorious for the length and severity of its winters.

Question: Which of these ancient regions, located in Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, was the site of the earliest known civilization?

Answer: Sumer was the site of the earliest known civilization. It was located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia, in the area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers that later became Babylonia and is now southern Iraq from around Baghdad to the Persian Gulf.

Question: Which of these cities is located in a region known as the Najd?

Answer: Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, is located in the Najd region of the central Arabian Peninsula.

Question: Which region of northern India and southern Nepal, situated between the Yamuna and Brahmaputra rivers, is a former marshland whose name means “Moist Land” in the local language?

Answer: Tarai is a region of northern India and southern Nepal that is situated between the Yamuna and Brahmaputra rivers. It is a former marshland whose name means “Moist Land.”