Beyond the answers - interesting background to this quiz

Why silver hides behind two letters

The chemical symbol for silver, Ag, comes from the Latin word argentum, which also gives us the name of Argentina. That is not a coincidence: Spanish explorers who reached the Rio de la Plata region hoped to find the precious metal there. Gold, by contrast, carries the symbol Au from aurum, a reminder that many element symbols trace back to Latin rather than to English names.

A mountain range that runs through several countries

The Andes are often associated with Argentina, but they actually stretch along the western edge of South America through seven countries, from Venezuela down to Chile. They form the longest continental mountain range in the world and include Aconcagua, the highest peak outside Asia. So while Argentina is a correct answer here, the range is far from belonging to one nation alone.

The equator crosses more countries than most people expect

Gabon is one of the countries the equator passes through, but it is in good company. The imaginary line also crosses Ecuador, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Somalia, Indonesia and several island nations. Standing on it, you are roughly equidistant from the North and South Poles, though the exact position shifts slightly each year.

An island capital with a volcanic neighbour

Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, sits on Bioko Island off the coast of West Africa rather than on the mainland. The island is volcanic in origin, and the country's highest peak, Pico Basilé, rises close to the capital. It is one of the few African capitals located on an island, which makes it unusual among its continental neighbours.

The Maldives and its nearest large neighbour

Sri Lanka lies closest to the Maldives among the options given, separated by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. India is nearby too, but Sri Lanka sits just across the water from the Maldivian atoll chain. Both countries share a tropical Indian Ocean setting, yet their landscapes could hardly be more different.