What flag is missing? Explain why.
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
asked Oct 10, 2022 at 11:59
Add a comment
|
1 Answer
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
The question mark should be replaced by the flag of...
...NEPAL.
Because, noting that...
...there is one flag/combination per continent represented here:
Asia: [the unknown flag] & Tibet
South America: Argentina
North America: USA
Africa: Tanzania
Europe: Russia
Antarctica: no flag (because no countries)
Oceania: Australia
...we can note that these all represent the countries which...
...(using a specific definition of continental boundaries) are home to the highest mountain on the continent, also known as the Seven Summits:
Asia: NEPAL & Tibet = Everest (8,848m)
South America: Argentina = Aconcagua (6,961m)
North America: USA = Denali (6,194m)
Africa: Tanzania = Kilimanjaro (5,895m)
Europe: Russia = Elbrus (5,642m)
Antarctica: no flag = Vinson (4,892m)
Oceania: Australia = Kosciuszko (2,228m)
Note that for presentation purposes, the mountains have been ordered by decreasing height.
What was my 'in' for this puzzle?
The first big pointer was the realisation that there was only one flag/combination per continent. This made me think we were looking for something that set that country apart from the others in its continent, something extreme...
The real 'kicker' was the flag of Tanzania. When casting about for what Tanzania might be renowned for, noting that it is home to Kilimanjaro - the highest mountain in Africa - blew everything wide open. The fact that Everest is on the border of two countries - one of which is the Tibet Autonomous Region - sealed the deal.
