Beyond the answers - interesting background to this quiz

The disaster that changed nuclear safety forever

The 1986 Chernobyl disaster was not simply an industrial accident. It released radioactive material across large parts of Europe and led to the permanent evacuation of the nearby city of Pripyat. The surrounding exclusion zone remains largely uninhabited, though it has become an unexpected refuge for wildlife. The event also reshaped how governments worldwide communicate about nuclear risk.

A river that feeds six countries

The Mekong is one of the most biologically diverse rivers on Earth. It begins on the Tibetan Plateau and flows through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam before reaching the South China Sea. In Laos, the river is central to daily life, providing fish, transport and fertile land. Seasonal flooding shapes local agriculture, while new dam projects continue to alter its natural rhythm.

The desert runner with ancient roots

The Azawakh is a sighthound from West Africa, traditionally kept by nomadic peoples of the Sahel region. Unlike many European sighthounds bred primarily for sport, the Azawakh developed as a camp guardian and hunting companion in harsh desert conditions. It is lean, fast and extremely loyal, with a distinctive gait that is often described as floating. The breed remained rare outside Africa until the late twentieth century.

A crossroads country in the heart of Africa

Chad is landlocked and shares borders with six countries, including Libya to the north, Sudan to the east and Niger to the west. Its geography ranges from Sahara desert in the north to savanna in the south. Lake Chad, once one of Africa's largest lakes, has shrunk dramatically over recent decades, affecting millions of people who depend on it for water, fishing and farming.