Beyond the answers - interesting background to this quiz

Why Gibraltar does not simply use a G

Vehicle registration codes do not always follow the most obvious logic. Gibraltar uses GBZ rather than G or GI, a choice connected to the fact that the territory is not part of the United Kingdom but has a distinct international status. The Z was introduced to avoid confusion with other British-related identifiers and to give Gibraltar its own recognisable code outside the standard GB series.

The sauna as a Finnish everyday institution

Sauna culture is deeply embedded in Finnish life, and the word itself is one of the most widely adopted Finnish terms in other languages. In Finland, saunas are found in private homes, apartment buildings, offices and even diplomatic missions. The practice is not only about washing or relaxing but has historically been linked to social life, health and major life events, which is why it holds a special place in national identity.

Kiribati and the problem of drawing hemispheres

The Pacific nation of Kiribati is often cited as the only country with territory in all four hemispheres, because its many islands and atolls are spread across both sides of the equator and the 180th meridian. This unusual position creates a practical challenge for calendars and timekeeping, since the country stretches so far east and west that its territory would naturally fall into different days.

The Széchenyi Chain Bridge as a symbol of connection

The Széchenyi Chain Bridge in Budapest was the first permanent bridge across the Danube connecting Buda and Pest, the two sides that later formed the modern Hungarian capital. Its construction in the 19th century was a major engineering and political achievement, and the bridge remains one of the most recognisable landmarks in Hungary, linking the hilly western bank with the flat eastern side of the city.

Naypyidaw, a capital built away from the crowds

Myanmar’s official capital is Naypyidaw, a planned city that replaced Yangon as the seat of government in the 2000s. Unlike most capitals, it was built largely from scratch in a relatively central location, far from the country’s largest and best-known city. The result is a capital with broad roads, government buildings and a low population density compared with the bustling urban life of Yangon.