World Facts and Geography

China shares borders with 14 countries, the most among the options given. Germany borders 9 countries, Brazil borders 10, and France borders 8. Note that Russia actually has the most land borders globally (16-17 depending on how you count), but it's not listed.

The Atacama Desert in northern Chile is the driest nonpolar desert on Earth. Some weather stations in the Atacama have never received rain, and parts of the region may have gone without rain for up to 40 million years. The Egyptian and Peruvian locations listed, while arid, do receive measurable rainfall.

Vatican City is the smallest independent state in the world, covering just 0.44 square kilometers (44 hectares) and having a population of around 800. Monaco is second at 2.02 square kilometers, while Nauru and Tuvalu are small island nations but significantly larger than both Vatican City and Monaco.

Alaska was part of Russia until the United States purchased it from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million (known as the Alaska Purchase). This territory was Russian America before becoming an American territory and later the 49th state.

Alaska was purchased by the United States from the Russian Empire in 1867 for $7.2 million.

Lesotho is a true enclave - completely surrounded by South Africa. Bangladesh borders India and Myanmar; Afghanistan borders six countries including Iran, Pakistan, and Central Asian nations; UAE borders Oman and Saudi Arabia via land. Only Lesotho and Vatican City are single-country enclaves.

Mbabane (also spelled Mbabane) is the capital and largest city of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), located in the Ezulwini Valley. It has been the administrative capital since the colonial period and houses the government buildings and royal residences. The other options are capitals of different nations: Lome (Togo), Nuku'alofa (Tonga), and Abuja (Nigeria).

Copacabana Beach is located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, one of the world's most famous beaches. Portugal, Spain, and France are European countries and do not contain this iconic Brazilian beach.

The dingo is a wild dog found in Australia. It is not native to India, South America, or Central Africa.

Penguins are primarily found in Antarctica and the surrounding southern waters. While some penguin species live in warmer climates like the Galapagos Islands, Antarctica is their most famous and principal habitat.

Brazil is home to several tapir species, including the Brazilian tapir (Tapirus terrestris) which is found throughout the Amazon rainforest and other forested regions of Brazil. Tapirs are not native to Germany, Zimbabwe, or Somalia. They are primarily found in Central and South America, with some species in Southeast Asia.

Giant pandas are native to the mountain ranges of central China, specifically in Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces. The option "South West China" (A) correctly identifies their geographic range, though they're specifically central-southwest.

Cougars (Puma concolor), also known as mountain lions or pumas, have a wide range across the Americas. In terms of the options given, Canada (C) is correct as cougars are found in western Canada and British Columbia, though they also range through North and South America.