March 18, 2025 | Alex Summers

Quiz: Can You Identify These 22 Countries From Around The World?


Global Brain Teaser

Think you know your way around the globe? Out of 195 countries on the planet, each one has its own special signature written in culture and history. Let's find out how many you recognize through these subtle clues.

Intro

Scandinavian Nation

This Scandinavian country is known for its fjords, Viking heritage, and its role as one of the world's largest oil exporters.

aerial photography of houses between body of water at daytimeJarand K. Lokeland, Unsplash

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The Answer 

Norway. Home to the Northern Lights, Norway has a comprehensive social welfare system. It consistently ranks among the world's happiest countries.

panorama city viewJarand K. Lokeland, Unsplash

Asian Tiger

No natural resources are available here, yet it shows off the world's busiest transshipment port. English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil are all official languages.

cegohcegoh, Pixabay

The Answer 

Singapore. Originally a British trading colony, Singapore transformed into one of Asia's economic powerhouses post-1965, despite having virtually no natural resources.

Graham-HGraham-H, Pixabay

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Mediterranean Marvel

Art, cuisine, ancient ruins, and its status as the birthplace of the Renaissance are hallmarks of this boot-shaped Mediterranean country.

travelwithzhuktravelwithzhuk, Pixabay

The Answer 

Italy. With 60 UNESCO World Heritage sites, Italy has more than any other country and is home to the world's oldest university, the University of Bologna, which is still in operation.

white and brown concrete houses near body of water during daytimeNicholas Beel, Unsplash

African Giant

This country’s GDP ranks fourth in Africa. It holds around 36.9 billion barrels of oil reserves and has a film industry called “Nollywood”.

aerial view of city buildings during daytimeNupo Deyon Daniel, Unsplash

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The Answer 

Nigeria. One of Africa's highly populated countries contains both the Sahel desert and tropical rainforest. It is home to the ancient Benin bronze sculptures that revolutionized European understanding of African art.

assorted housesOvinuchi Ejiohuo, Unsplash

Island Paradise

Reggae music originated in this Caribbean territory. You will find people speaking the patois language and practicing the unique Rastafarian religion.

aerail view of kingston jamaicaPhoto Spirit, Shutterstock

The Answer 

Jamaica. Despite being a small island, Jamaica has produced multiple Olympic sprint champions and pioneered reggae, ska, and dancehall music. It has given the world Bob Marley.

Kingston, JamaicaAdobe Stock

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European Powerhouse

This one's home to famous automobile brands and a rich history of classical music composers. This nation forms the economic backbone of the European Union, with a GDP exceeding $4 trillion.

brown and white buildingKankan, Unsplash

The Answer

Germany. After being divided by a concrete barrier for 28 years, it was reunited in 1990 after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Germany is well-known for its engineering and has won four FIFA World Cup titles.

landscape photo of gray and brown buildingsKai Pilger, Unsplash

Ancient Traditions

Complex writing systems with 50,000 characters, sumo wrestling, and bullet trains characterize this technologically advanced location.

boats on body of waterYu Kato, Unsplash

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The Answer 

Japan. It continues to follow prehistoric Shinto ceremonies, even as it follows robotics and artificial intelligence. Every year, Japan celebrates 72 different seasonal changes with festivities.

people gathered outside buildings and vehiclesJezael Melgoza, Unsplash

In The Southern Hemisphere

Koalas and kangaroos are found here. This area is also home to the world's largest coral reef system and the sand island of Fraser.

koala on treeDavid Clode, Unsplash

The Answer 

Australia. Founded as a British penal colony, Australia contains 10% of global biodiversity and is the world's oldest exposed surface rock. 86% of its population lives within 31 miles of the coast.

Sydney, Opera House during daytimeDan Freeman, Unsplash

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Spice Paradise

With over 17,000 islands across three time zones, this archipelago was once the center of the global spice trade. You can spot Komodo dragons and the largest flower on Earth.

File:Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) 4.jpgCharles J. Sharp , Wikimedia Commons

The Answer 

Indonesia. The world's largest Muslim-majority nation, Indonesia, contains 8% of global biodiversity, 147 active volcanoes, and hundreds of ethnic groups that speak 700+ languages.

Jakarta, IndonesiaCreativa Images, Shutterstock

Land Of Fire And Ice

This North Atlantic island sits on two tectonic plates and has over 130 active volcanoes. The region generates nearly 100% of its electricity from renewable sources.

black and brown rock formationAsa Steinarsdottir, Unsplash

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The Answer 

Iceland. With no standing army, this place maintains the world's oldest parliament (founded 930 CE). Around 11% of Iceland is covered by glaciers, with Vatnajokull being the largest in all of Europe.

aerial view of houses during daytimeTom Podmore, Unsplash

Alpine Republic

60% is covered by the Alps, with 13,000 miles of hiking trails. Recognized for neutrality in global conflicts, precision watchmaking, and banking secrecy laws dating back to the 1700s. 

Sangeeth_nSangeeth_n, Pixabay

The Answer:

Switzerland. Despite having no access to the sea, Switzerland has a navy. They also operate the world's largest particle physics laboratory (CERN).

Zurich, SwitzerlandIurii Dzivinskyi, Shutterstock

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Emerald Isle

Although the population of this rainy island is smaller than that of many major cities, it has produced four poets who have won Nobel Prizes. There are more than 3000 castles here.

Lukas KloeppelLukas Kloeppel, Pexels

The Answer 

Ireland. Without snakes since the Ice Age, Ireland once saved Western civilization by preserving ancient texts. It has Europe's largest prehistoric monument and more diaspora than residents.

Angela Lansbury FactsShutterstock

Saharan Giant

Pyramids, sphinxes, and an ancient civilization flourishing around the Nile make this North African region a goldmine of archaeological wonders.

David McEachanDavid McEachan, Pexels

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The Answer 

Egypt. This transcontinental country contains the only remaining ancient wonder in the world. Valley of the Kings is famous for its sophisticated tombs of pharaohs from the New Kingdom.

photo of beige templeOmar Elsharawy, Unsplash

Beneath The Southern Cross

The place is characterized by glacial fjords and flightless birds like kiwis and kakapo, which were featured in fantasy movies such as The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.

New ZealandTrey Ratcliff, Flickr

The Answer 

New Zealand. The first country to give women voting rights was New Zealand, which has no reported land snakes. It is 33% protected conservation land and has a Maori-influenced culture and language.

Auckland City with a View of the Sky Tower, New ZealandDonovan Kelly, Pexels

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Coffee Kingdom

From the Amazon rainforest to tropical beaches, this South American giant supplies one-third of the world's coffee and hosts the grandest carnival ever.

1201912019, Pixabay

The Answer 

Brazil. With more than 300 indigenous languages still in use today, Brazil, which makes up 60% of the Amazon rainforest, is home to the most significant number of primates, freshwater fish, and plants on the planet.

Uncontacted indigenous tribe in AmazonGleilson Miranda, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Northern Expanse

The world's longest coastline, situated here, stretches over 151,000 miles. They're also known for their hockey obsession, and a wilderness that contains 60% of the world's lakes.

SonyuserSonyuser, Pixabay

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The Answer 

Canada. This bilingual country makes up 20% of the world's fresh water and has the largest protected boreal forest. It also celebrates diversity, with over 250 ethnic origins among its population.

white and gray concrete building near body of water during daytimeMaarten van den Heuvel, Unsplash

Crossroads Of Empires

This area straddles two continents and controls access to the Black Sea. It was once the center of a vast empire and the world's oldest covered market in Istanbul.

city buildings near body of water during daytimeEngin Yapici, Unsplash

The Answer 

Turkey. The world's oldest known human settlement (Gobekli Tepe) was discovered here. The country produces about 80% of the world's hazelnuts and introduced tulips to the Netherlands.

Gobekli Tepe, Sanlıurfa, TurkeyRoad Trip with Raj, Unsplash

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Kingdom Of A Thousand Elephants

The only Southeast Asian country never colonized by Europeans. This landlocked area is known for Buddhist temples, traditional textiles, and being attacked during the Vietnam War. 

an aerial view of a city with many buildingsMeklay YOTKHAMSAY, Unsplash

The Answer 

Laos. It houses more than 4,000 temples and features the Plain of Jars. The country practices an interesting mix of Buddhism influenced by animism and has 49 officially recognized ethnic groups.

File:Karst peaks and green paddy fields under a stormy sky, South view from Mount Nam Xay, Vang Vieng, Laos.jpgBasile Morin, Wikimedia Commons

Cradle Of Civilization

Home to the oldest continuous civilization on the planet. This nation invented paper, printing, gunpowder, and the compass while building a 13,000-mile wall. 

people at Forbidden City in China during daytimeLing Tang, Unsplash

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The Answer 

China. Chinese civilization has maintained its continuity for over 3,000 years, with evidence of written records taking us back to the Shang Dynasty (approximately 1600–1046 BCE).

aerial photography of city buildingsRoad Trip with Raj, Unsplash

Cities Of Gold

Spanish conquistadors sought legendary riches right here. It’s where the Andes mountains meet the Amazon, with the indigenous Quechua culture still thriving.

File:Andean Man.jpgCacophony, Wikimedia Commons

The Answer 

Peru. Home to the ancient Nazca Lines, which are visible only from above, Peru contains 28 of the world's 32 climates. Back then, it cultivated thousands of potato varieties, which helped prevent European famines.

Lima, PeruJoshuary, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

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Baltic Amber

This tiny European nation was the first Soviet republic to declare independence. Everyone knows it for its basketball prowess, internet speeds, and the region’s ancient pagan traditions. 

red and white houses near body of water during daytimeArvydas Venckus, Unsplash

The Answer 

Lithuania. With a medieval old town listed as UNESCO heritage, Lithuania once formed Europe's largest state. The region has more hot air balloons per capita than any country and preserved Europe's last primeval forest.

The White Bridge and Šnipiškės district in Vilnius, Lithuania - 2023Augustas Didzgalvis, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Pearl Of The Orient

Stands at the convergence of the Pacific Ocean and South China Sea, where 7,641 islands host 200+ endemic mammal species. Underwater rice terraces are visible during low tide here.

city skyline under blue sky during daytimeAlexes Gerard, Unsplash

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The Answer 

The Philippines. Colonized by Spain for 333 years, the Philippines is one of the world's most disaster-prone countries, with 20+ typhoons annually. It contains the world's most perfectly shaped volcano cone.

cityscape photography of buildings and boatsMichael Buillerey, Unsplash


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