Beyond the answers - interesting background to this quiz

A detective who refused to stay on the page

Arthur Conan Doyle introduced Sherlock Holmes in A Study in Scarlet in 1887, and the character became so popular that when the author killed him off in 1893, public pressure eventually brought him back. Holmes is famous for his powers of observation and deduction, and the stories helped shape the detective genre that countless writers have followed since.

The Sahel: a belt of transition

The Sahel is a semi-arid strip of land that runs across Africa, forming a transition zone between the Sahara desert to the north and the savannas to the south. Niger lies within this belt, along with countries such as Mali and Chad. The region is known for its dry climate, its pastoral traditions and the challenges posed by drought and desertification.

Two capitals that are not the biggest city

The Netherlands and Switzerland both keep their seats of government in cities that are not their most famous metropolises. Amsterdam is the Dutch capital, yet the government sits in The Hague. Bern is the Swiss capital, even though Zurich is the country's largest city. It is a reminder that a capital is a political choice, not always a matter of size.

Pesto: a sauce with a long history

Pesto takes its name from the Italian word for "pounded", referring to the traditional method of crushing the ingredients in a mortar. The classic version comes from Genoa and combines basil, garlic, pine nuts, cheese and olive oil. Today it is used in pasta, sandwiches and much more, which is why eating it is the only sensible option on the menu.