- 1. Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon, is a vibrant metropolis known for its rich history, cultural diversity, and resilient spirit. Nestled along the Mediterranean Sea, this ancient city has been a melting pot of civilizations for thousands of years, influenced by Phoenician, Roman, Ottoman, and French cultures, among others. Beirut's skyline is a stunning blend of modern architecture and historical landmarks, such as the iconic Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque and the picturesque Pigeon Rocks at Raouche. The city's vibrant neighborhoods, like Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhael, are renowned for their lively cafes, bustling nightlife, and artistic scenes, attracting both locals and visitors alike. Beirut has faced significant challenges, including civil unrest and the aftermath of a devastating port explosion in 2020, yet it remains a symbol of resilience and hope, with a population known for its warmth and hospitality. The culinary scene is equally impressive, offering a tantalizing array of traditional Lebanese dishes, such as tabbouleh, hummus, and kebabs, alongside contemporary gastronomy. With its unique blend of history, culture, and modernity, Beirut is a city that captures the hearts of those who experience its vibrant energy and enduring charm.
What is the capital city of Lebanon?
A) Dubai
B) Istanbul
C) Cairo
D) Beirut
- 2. Which sea does Beirut border?
A) Black Sea
B) Dead Sea
C) Mediterranean Sea
D) Red Sea
- 3. What is the predominant language spoken in Beirut?
A) Arabic
B) French
C) Russian
D) English
- 4. Beirut is often referred to as the __________ of the Middle East.
A) Paris
B) Rome
C) New York
D) Tokyo
- 5. Which river flows through Beirut?
A) Tigris River
B) Nile River
C) Euphrates River
D) Beirut River
- 6. What is the Beirut Central District commonly known as?
A) Hamra
B) Beirut Souks
C) Gemmayzeh
D) Downtown Beirut
- 7. What is the name of the famous coastal promenade in Beirut?
A) Raouche Rocks
B) Zaitunay Bay
C) Corniche Beirut
D) Pigeon Rocks
- 8. What industry was Beirut known for prior to the civil war?
A) Fishing
B) Agriculture
C) Mining
D) Banking
- 9. Which Lebanese author wrote 'The Prophet'?
A) Amin Maalouf
B) Naguib Mahfouz
C) Hoda Barakat
D) Kahlil Gibran
- 10. What is the official currency used in Beirut?
A) Euro
B) Lebanese Pound
C) Dollar
D) Yen
- 11. Which mountain range overlooks Beirut?
A) Atlas Mountains
B) Mount Lebanon
C) Anti-Lebanon Mountains
D) Taurus Mountains
- 12. What is the name of the national flag carrier airline of Lebanon based in Beirut?
A) Qatar Airways
B) Emirates
C) Royal Jordanian
D) Middle East Airlines
- 13. What is the most popular alcoholic beverage in Beirut and Lebanon?
A) Beer
B) Whiskey
C) Arak
D) Wine
- 14. What ancient city is located near Beirut and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
A) Rome
B) Cairo
C) Byblos
D) Athens
- 15. In which year was Beirut declared the capital of Lebanon?
A) 1920
B) 2000
C) 1980
D) 1950
- 16. What is the name of Beirut's international airport?
A) John F. Kennedy International Airport
B) Changi Airport
C) Rafic Hariri International Airport
D) Heathrow Airport
- 17. Which famous Lebanese singer was born in Beirut?
A) Nancy Ajram
B) Fairuz
C) Shakira
D) Umm Kulthum
- 18. Beirut is a popular destination for ______ tourism, with its mix of historical sites and modern attractions.
A) Adventure
B) Medical
C) Eco
D) Cultural
- 19. Which famous director's film 'West Beirut' showcases the city during the Lebanese Civil War?
A) Quentin Tarantino
B) Steven Spielberg
C) Martin Scorsese
D) Ziad Doueiri
- 20. Which Lebanese-American author wrote the novel 'An Unnecessary Woman' set in Beirut?
A) Rabih Alameddine
B) Amin Maalouf
C) Khalil Gibran
D) Etel Adnan
- 21. What natural disaster has Beirut experienced in recent years, causing widespread destruction?
A) Flood
B) Tornado
C) Earthquake
D) Explosion
- 22. Which French architect undertook the urban planning of Beirut in the 1920s?
A) Haussmann
B) Eiffel
C) Michel Ecochard
D) Le Corbusier
- 23. As of 2025, what is the population of Greater Beirut?
A) 3.0 million
B) 2.4 million
C) 1.8 million
D) 2.7 million
- 24. How long has Beirut been inhabited?
A) Around 3,000 years
B) For approximately 7,500 years
C) Over 5,000 years
D) About 10,000 years
- 25. What does the Arabic name 'Bayrūt' derive from?
A) Greek Bērytós
B) Phoenician bēʾrūt, meaning 'wells'
C) Akkadian Biruta
D) Latin Berytus
- 26. How was Beirut's name hellenised by the Greeks?
A) Bērytós
B) Bayrūt
C) Berythus
D) Beirutus
- 27. What was Beirut's official Roman name when it became a colony?
A) Colonia Iulia Berytus
B) Colonia Augusta Berytus
C) Colonia Berytus
D) Colonia Iulia Augusta Felix Berytus
- 28. During the Crusades, what were some French names for Beirut?
A) Barut or Baruth
B) Berutum or Berythus
C) Beyrouth or Bayrūt
D) Beirutus or Beirout
- 29. What evidence suggests that the surrounding area of Beirut was inhabited tens of thousands of years ago?
A) Prehistoric archaeological sites with flint tools from various periods
B) Modern urban development
C) Roman ruins and Byzantine structures
D) Crusader castles
- 30. What was Beirut I (Minet el-Hosn) known for?
A) It was primarily an agricultural settlement.
B) It was listed as 'the town of Beirut' and had a Mousterian flint industry.
C) It was known for its Byzantine mosaics.
D) It was the site of a major Roman colony.
- 31. What did Beirut II (Umm el-Khatib) contain?
A) Neolithic pottery and tools
B) Roman coins and artifacts
C) A Copper Age flint industry discovered by P.E. Gigues
D) Middle Bronze Age tombs
- 32. What did Beirut VII sites reveal?
A) A large Phoenician harbor
B) Collapsed walls, pits, floors, charcoal, pottery, flints, and Bronze Age tombs.
C) Extensive Roman aqueducts
D) Modern urban infrastructure
- 33. When was another suggested port or dry dock claimed to have been discovered?
A) In 140 BC
B) In 26 June 2012
C) In 2011
D) In 1993
- 34. Who destroyed the Phoenician city in 140 BC?
A) King Tigranes the Great
B) Roman general Pompey
C) Antiochus VII Sidetes
D) Diodotus Tryphon
- 35. What was built upon the site of the destroyed Phoenician city?
A) A Seleucid palace
B) An Armenian settlement
C) A Roman fort
D) Laodicea in Phoenicia
- 36. What symbol appeared on mid-1st-century coins from Berytus?
A) An image of Diodotus Tryphon
B) The head of Tyche
C) A dolphin entwines an anchor
D) A depiction of Pompey
- 37. Who took up the symbol from Berytus in 15th century Venice?
A) The early printer Aldus Manutius
B) King Tigranes the Great
C) Diodotus Tryphon
D) Antiochus VII Sidetes
- 38. Who conquered Beirut after the Battle of Tigranocerta?
A) Roman general Pompey
B) Diodotus Tryphon
C) King Tigranes the Great
D) Antiochus VII Sidetes
- 39. Which Roman emperor established veterans of two legions in Berytus?
A) Augustus
B) Claudius
C) Trajan
D) Nero
- 40. Which Roman emperors were Papinian and Ulpian associated with as teachers?
A) The Severan emperors
B) The Julio-Claudians
C) The Flavian emperors
D) The Antonines
- 41. Which historian studied at the law school in Berytus between 400 and 402?
A) Sozomen
B) Jerome
C) Socrates Scholasticus
D) Eusebius
- 42. In what century did Justinian assemble his Pandects, incorporating laws from Berytus's jurists?
A) 7th century
B) 4th century
C) 6th century
D) 5th century
- 43. In which year did a major earthquake strike Berytus, causing significant damage?
A) 312
B) 410
C) 551
D) 476
- 44. To which city were the students of Berytus's law school transferred after the earthquake?
A) Tyre
B) Tripoli
C) Byblos
D) Sidon
- 45. What was one of the public architectural features found in Roman Berytus?
A) Colosseum
B) Several bath complexes
C) Aqueducts
D) Pantheon
- 46. Under which emperor did Berytus expand to include Heliopolis (Baalbek)?
A) Domitian
B) Vespasian
C) Tiberius
D) Claudius
- 47. What was the unique linguistic characteristic of Berytus in the Syria-Phoenicia province?
A) The only mainly Latin-speaking area
B) The only Greek-speaking area
C) Multilingual with multiple local languages
D) Bilingual with Aramaic and Latin
- 48. Which Roman emperor recognized the law school in Berytus as one of the three official law schools?
A) Constantine
B) Diocletian
C) Theodosius
D) Justinian
- 49. What was one of the major public entertainment venues in Roman Berytus?
A) An arena
B) An amphitheater
C) A stadium
D) A circus
- 50. In which year did Muslims first conquer Beirut?
A) 635
B) 1187
C) 1291
D) 1110
- 51. Who took control of Beirut in 1187?
A) Henry I of Brabant
B) Saladin
C) Sultan al-Ashraf Khalil
D) John of Ibelin
- 52. Which city was as important as Beirut during the Middle Ages?
A) Alexandria
B) Jerusalem
C) Acre
D) Damascus
- 53. What role did Beirut play in the eastern Mediterranean during the Middle Ages?
A) Cultural capital
B) Trading centre
C) Military stronghold
D) Religious hub
- 54. Under which Ottoman sultan did the Ottomans conquer Syria, including present-day Lebanon?
A) Abdul Hamid II
B) Selim I
C) Mustafa III
D) Suleiman the Magnificent
- 55. Who fortified Beirut early in the 17th century?
A) Tafil Buzi
B) Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt
C) Jezzar Pasha
D) Fakhr-al-Din II
- 56. Which European power had significant influence in Beirut by the late 19th century?
A) France
B) Italy
C) Germany
D) Britain
- 57. What was established in Beirut in 1894 that boosted trade?
A) A silk factory
B) An airport
C) A modern harbour
D) A railway station
- 58. In which year was Beirut made the capital of a vilayet in Syria?
A) 1907
B) 1888
C) 1894
D) 1911
- 59. Who was a prominent public figure in Beirut at the start of the 20th century?
A) Emile Eddé
B) Salim Ali Salam
C) Rafic Hariri
D) Bashir Gemayel
- 60. What year did the Lebanese Civil War begin?
A) 1982
B) 2006
C) 1990
D) 1975
- 61. Which area became a no man's land during the Lebanese Civil War?
A) The Red Line
B) The Yellow Line
C) The Blue Line
D) The Green Line
- 62. What was the name of the operation carried out by Hezbollah in 2006?
A) Operation Cedar Revolution
B) Operation Truthful Promise
C) Operation Independence
D) Operation Liberation
- 63. Who was killed in a car bomb explosion on 19 October 2012 in Beirut?
A) Mohamad Chatah
B) Walid Jumblatt
C) Rafic Hariri
D) Saad Hariri
- 64. Who announced their resignation as Prime Minister of Lebanon on 10 August 2020?
A) Hassan Diab
B) Tammam Salam
C) Saad Hariri
D) Fuad Siniora
- 65. How large is the Beirut Governorate?
A) 100 square kilometres (39 sq mi)
B) 50 square kilometres (19 sq mi)
C) 67 square kilometres (26 sq mi)
D) 18 square kilometres (6.9 sq mi)
- 66. What is the size of Beirut's metropolitan area?
A) 200 square kilometres (77 sq mi)
B) 120 square kilometres (46 sq mi)
C) 67 square kilometres (26 sq mi)
D) 18 square kilometres (6.9 sq mi)
- 67. What environmental issue did Beirut face from July 2015 to March 2016?
A) A massive garbage crisis
B) An air pollution crisis
C) A deforestation crisis
D) A water shortage crisis
- 68. What was the name of the movement born from Beirut's garbage crisis?
A) "Green Lebanon"
B) "You Stink"
C) "Save Our City"
D) "Clean Beirut"
- 69. What percentage of the capital area is covered by concrete roofs?
A) 50%
B) 80%
C) 10%
D) 30%
- 70. How many quarters is Beirut divided into?
A) 24
B) 6
C) 12
D) 59
- 71. Which quarter includes the neighbourhood Badaro?
A) Achrafieh
B) Mazraa
C) Saifi
D) Ras Beirut
- 72. How many sectors are there in Beirut?
A) 59
B) 24
C) 15
D) 12
- 73. Which neighbourhood is part of the green district of Beirut?
A) Badaro
B) Ras Beirut
C) Zuqaq al-Blat
D) Moussaitbeh
- 74. Which of these is not a southern suburban district?
A) Ghobeiry
B) Hazmiyeh
C) Chiyah
D) Hadath
- 75. Where was a massacre during the civil war located?
A) Moussaitbeh
B) Bourj el-Barajneh
C) Ras Beirut
D) Sabra, adjacent to Shatila
- 76. How many unofficial refugee camps are there in Beirut?
A) 15
B) 12
C) 24
D) 59
- 77. Which suburb includes Dekwane and Mkalles?
A) Southern suburban districts
B) Eastern suburbs
C) Western suburbs
D) Northern suburbs
- 78. When was the last population census taken in Lebanon?
A) 2000
B) 1932
C) 1950
D) 1975
- 79. What is the estimated low range of Beirut's population?
A) 1,000,000
B) 2,000,000
C) 1,500,000
D) 938,940
- 80. What is the religious majority in East Beirut?
A) Sunni Muslim
B) Shia Muslim
C) Christian
D) Druze
- 81. What percentage of Beirut's population is Christian?
A) 50%
B) 45%
C) 25%
D) 35%
- 82. Which religious group comprises 63% of Beirut's population?
A) Muslims
B) Christians
C) Others
D) Druze
- 83. What percentage of Beirut's population is Druze?
A) 10%
B) 5%
C) 15%
D) 1%
- 84. What system is used for handling family matters in Lebanon?
A) British common law
B) French civil law
C) Ottoman 'millet' system
D) Lebanese secular law
- 85. What organization is responsible for the reconstruction of Beirut Central District?
A) UNESCO
B) Lebanese Government
C) Solidere
D) Beirut Municipality
- 86. What is the historical significance of Beirut Souks?
A) A residential area developed during Ottoman rule.
B) A modern shopping mall built in the 21st century.
C) They are the old medieval market recently renovated.
D) An industrial zone established post-war.
- 87. Which university professor criticized the loss of Ottoman and medieval remains in Beirut?
A) Saree Makdisi
B) Saad Hariri
C) Rafic Hariri
D) Nabil Beyhum
- 88. What is the total area of open spaces in Beirut Central District?
A) 75 acres (30 ha)
B) 120 acres (49 ha)
C) 50 acres (20 ha)
D) 96 acres (39 ha)
- 89. What is forbidden in Zeituna Bay, a marina in Beirut Central District?
A) Riding bikes
B) Sailing boats
C) Swimming
D) Walking on the promenade
- 90. What was a significant consequence of the Lebanese Civil War on Beirut Central District?
A) Immediate economic boom.
B) Establishment of new educational institutions.
C) Devastation that required thorough reconstruction.
D) Population increase.
- 91. What is the status of public spaces like 'The Garden of Forgiveness' promised by Solidere?
A) Dedicated to military use.
B) Converted into residential areas.
C) They remain unfinished.
D) Fully completed and operational.
- 92. What policy facilitated foreign capital inflows into Beirut?
A) Protectionism
B) Import Substitution Industrialization
C) The Open Door Policy
D) Economic isolation
- 93. What percentage of Beirut's tourists in 2012 came from European countries?
A) 40%
B) 25%
C) 33%
D) 50%
- 94. Which street in Beirut is known for its concentration of shopping stores, boutiques, and nightlife?
A) Rue Monnot
B) Avenue des Français
C) Hamra Street
D) Corniche Mazraa
- 95. What is the name of Beirut's artistic bohemian quarter?
A) Zokak el Blat
B) Ashrafieh
C) Gemmayzeh
D) Mar Mikhael
- 96. What is a major component of medical tourism in Beirut?
A) Cardiac surgery
B) Neurosurgery
C) Cosmetic surgery
D) Orthopedic surgery
- 97. Which hospital was ranked one of the world's top ten best hospitals for medical tourism in 2012?
A) Clemenceau Medical Center (CMC)
B) Rizk Hospital
C) Hôtel-Dieu de France
D) American University of Beirut Medical Center
- 98. What was the balance sheet of Beirut's banking system at the end of 2012?
A) $152 billion
B) $200 billion
C) $100 billion
D) $50 billion
- 99. How much did Lebanon-based banks receive from the region's petrodollars during the oil boom starting in the 1960s?
A) Only through indirect investments
B) Minor recipients
C) Major recipients
D) No involvement
- 100. What percentage of Beirut's banking sector assets were bank deposits in 2012?
A) 70%
B) 90%
C) 50%
D) 82%
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