Beyond the answers - interesting background to this quiz

Mountains that gave a continent its name

The Atlas Mountains stretch across Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, separating the Mediterranean coast from the Sahara. Their name comes from Greek mythology: Atlas was the Titan condemned to hold up the heavens, and early mapmakers placed him in this range. Tunisia's highest peak, Jebel ech Chambi, rises over 1,500 metres and is a popular hiking destination.

A language shaped by migration

Spanish is the official language of Argentina, but the country's speech carries strong Italian influence. Between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, millions of Italians emigrated to Argentina, and their vocabulary and intonation left a lasting mark on the local dialect. The distinctive "sh" sound for the letters "ll" and "y" is one of the most recognisable features of Argentine Spanish.

Living with the constant threat of tremors

Japan sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where several tectonic plates meet, making it one of the most seismically active countries on Earth. Thousands of small tremors are recorded there every year. This reality has shaped Japanese architecture, building codes and even school drills, all designed to keep people safe when the ground starts to move.

Chekhov beyond the page

Anton Chekhov wrote "The Seagull" in 1895, and its first performance in St Petersburg was a notorious failure. The play was later revived by the Moscow Art Theatre, whose production turned it into a triumph and helped establish Chekhov as a master of modern drama. Today it is performed worldwide and is often studied alongside his short stories.

The Mekong's long journey

The Mekong River begins on the Tibetan Plateau and flows through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam before emptying into the South China Sea. It supports one of the world's richest inland fisheries and provides food and livelihood for millions of people. Dams and climate change, however, are putting increasing pressure on this vital waterway.