Correct: C. Nauru

Nauru is a small island nation in the Pacific that is often cited as the only country in the world without an official capital city. While the Yaren District serves as the de facto capital because it houses the government offices and parliament, it is not officially designated as such in the nation's constitution. Nauru is also the smallest island nation and the third smallest country in the world.

Correct: A. China

China is credited with the invention of paper as we know it today. While the ancient Egyptians used papyrus, the first true paper-making process (using mulberry bark, hemp, and rags) was documented in China during the Han Dynasty (around 105 AD) by a court official named Cai Lun. For centuries, the Chinese kept the process a secret, but it eventually spread to the Islamic world and then to Europe via the Silk Road.

Correct: C. Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the world without a single permanent natural river, relying instead on underground aquifers, desalinated seawater, and seasonal riverbeds called "wadis." To support its population and agriculture, the nation has invested heavily in some of the world's most advanced desalination technology to turn salty seawater into drinkable fresh water.

Correct: C. Ethiopia

Ethiopia, a country in the Horn of Africa, was formerly known as Abyssinia in Western history, a name derived from the Arabic word for the local Habesha people. It is one of the world's oldest independent nations and is unique in Africa for having successfully resisted European colonization during the 19th-century "Scramble for Africa."

Correct: C. Switzerland

Switzerland is a federal republic that is uniquely divided into 26 "Cantons," which are member states that possess a high degree of autonomy over their own affairs, including education and welfare. This system reflects the country's deep commitment to direct democracy and federalism, allowing diverse linguistic and cultural groups to live together peacefully.

Correct: C. Mali

Timbuktu is a historic city located in the West African nation of Mali, situated on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert near the Niger River. During the medieval period, it was a legendary center of Islamic learning, wealth, and trade, famous for its massive libraries of ancient manuscripts and its role in the trans-Saharan gold and salt trades.

Correct: C. Switzerland

Switzerland is often nicknamed the "Playground of Europe" because of its spectacular alpine scenery, world-class ski resorts, and its popularity as a destination for outdoor adventure and leisure. This nickname was popularized in the 19th century by British travelers who were drawn to the country's pristine mountains, lakes, and high-quality tourism infrastructure.

Correct: A. Bhutan

Bhutan is famously known as the "Land of the Thunder Dragon" (Druk Yul) because of the violent storms that frequently roll down from the Himalayas. This name is reflected in the country's national identity, with a white dragon appearing on the national flag and the people themselves being called the Drukpa.

Correct: A. Malaysia

Malaysia is a Southeast Asian nation that is uniquely split into two distinct parts by the South China Sea: Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia (located on the island of Borneo). Peninsular Malaysia is known for its modern cities like Kuala Lumpur, while East Malaysia is famous for its dense rainforests and incredible wildlife. Despite being separated by hundreds of miles of water, both regions share a unified government and a diverse multicultural identity.

Correct: B. Guatemala

The Resplendent Quetzal is a brilliantly colored bird that is the national symbol of Guatemala and gives its name to the country's official currency. It is famous for its vibrant green plumage and the incredibly long tail feathers of the male, which can grow up to three feet in length during the breeding season. In ancient Maya and Aztec cultures, the bird was considered sacred, and its feathers were used to create magnificent royal headdresses.

Correct: D. Antarctica

Antarctica is the only continent on Earth that has no native species of ants, likely due to the extreme cold and the lack of permanent vegetation and soil. While ants are found in almost every other terrestrial habitat on the planet, from tropical rainforests to deserts, they cannot survive the frozen landscape of the South Pole. There are also no native ants on some remote islands like Greenland and parts of Iceland.

Correct: B. Australia

The Granny Smith apple originated in Australia in 1868 when Maria Ann Smith discovered a chance seedling growing on her property near Sydney. It is famous for its bright green skin, firm texture, and tart, acidic flavor, making it a favorite for both eating fresh and baking into pies. This variety has become one of the most popular and recognizable apples in the world due to its long shelf life and consistent quality.

Correct: B. Madagascar

Madagascar is the world's leading producer of vanilla, supplying about 80% of the natural vanilla beans used globally in food and fragrances. The process of producing vanilla is extremely labor-intensive, as each flower must be pollinated by hand within a few hours of opening. After harvesting, the beans undergo a long curing and drying process that can take several months to develop the signature aroma.

Correct: C. New Zealand

The Kauri is a massive evergreen tree native to the northern regions of the North Island of New Zealand. They are among the most ancient trees in the world, with a history dating back to the Jurassic period, and they can grow to be over 50 meters tall with enormous trunk diameters. Kauri wood was once highly prized for shipbuilding, leading to extensive logging that nearly wiped out the forests in the 19th century.

Correct: A. China

China is currently the world's top producer of grapes, followed closely by Italy and France. While many people associate grapes primarily with European wine production, a large portion of China's crop consists of table grapes for fresh consumption. The country's diverse climate allows for grape cultivation in many regions, from the arid Xinjiang province to the more humid eastern coasts.

Correct: C. Sudan

Sudan has more pyramids than any other country in the world, with between 200 and 255 known pyramids, compared to Egypt's 118. The Sudanese pyramids were built by the rulers of the ancient Kingdom of Kush, particularly at the archaeological sites of Mero, El-Kurru, and Nuri. These pyramids are generally smaller and steeper than their Egyptian counterparts and served as tombs for Kushite kings and queens.

Correct: C. Malta

Some unusual answers exist here - Nauru in the Pacific has no official capital (government functions from Yaren district). Among the options listed Malta has Valletta as its capital. The most correct answer for a country with no officially designated capital is Nauru.