Beyond the answers - interesting background to this quiz

A mountain range that shaped a continent

The Alps formed over millions of years as the African tectonic plate pushed northward into the Eurasian plate, and the range still stretches across eight countries, including Austria. That geography has long shaped trade, farming and tourism in central Europe. The mountains also helped turn mountaineering and winter sports into the thriving industries they are today.

Silver's symbol and a Latin legacy

The chemical symbol Ag comes from the Latin word argentum, which is also the root of Argentina's name. Silver has been prized since antiquity for coins, jewellery and tableware, and it remains one of the most conductive metals, which is why it appears in electronics and solar panels. Its symbol is a neat reminder that the periodic table carries a lot of hidden history.

Melville's whale and the world's most famous opening line

Herman Melville published Moby-Dick in 1851, and it is now considered one of the great American novels, though it sold poorly during his lifetime. The book blends adventure, philosophy and encyclopedic digressions about whaling. Its opening line, "Call me Ishmael," is among the most recognised in all of literature.

Why Suriname speaks Dutch

Suriname, on the northeastern coast of South America, is the only country on the continent where Dutch is the official language. That legacy dates back to Dutch colonial rule, and the country gained independence in 1975. Alongside Dutch, many residents speak Sranan Tongo, an English-based creole that serves as a common lingua franca.

Counting the world's countries

The number of countries in the world depends on who is counting. The United Nations has 193 member states, plus two observer states, which is where the widely cited figure of 195 comes from. Disputed territories and partially recognised states mean other tallies exist, so the question is more about definitions than simple arithmetic.