Geography: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims)

Explanation

Option (d) is correct:

The Sutlej River has its origins far beyond the borders of India, tracing its source back to the sacred Mansarovar-Rakas Lakes in western Tibet(now China). The Sutlej River flows 1,450 km through Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Pakistan before joining the Indus. It enters India via the Shipki La Pass. Major dams on the river include Bhakra-Nangal and Nathpa Jhakri supporting irrigation and hydropower. Its tributaries include Spiti and Baspa. Options (a), (b) and (c) are incorrect:

The Ravi River emerges from the Himalayan heights in the Multhan tehsil of Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh, India. The Beas River, similarly originating in the Himalayas, finds its source near the Rohtang Pass, a prominent mountain pass at an elevation of 4,062 meters above sea level. This pass marks the southern extremity of the Pir Panjal Range, a significant mountain chain in the region. Interestingly, the source of the Ravi lies in close proximity to the Beas’s origin. The Chenab River, a major tributary of the Indus, is formed by the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers, an event that occurs within the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh.

Explanation

The Tropic of Capricorn is situated at approximately 23°27 south of the Equator. It marks the southernmost latitude where the Sun can be directly overhead during the December solstice. This significant line traverses ten countries across three continents: South America, Africa, and Australia. South America: Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Chile. Africa: Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique and Madagascar. Australia

Explanation

Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: Berlin is located in Germany, and it is situated on the Spree River, not the Rhine. The Rhine River flows through several European countries, including Switzerland, Germany, France, and the Netherlands.

Pair 2 is correctly matched: London - Thames The River Thames flows through London, the capital of the United Kingdom. It has historically played a crucial role in the city’s devel-opment.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: New York City is located on the Hudson River. The Hudson flows primarily through the state of New York, including New York City and it is an essential river for the region.

Pair 4 is correctly matched: Vienna, the capital of Austria is situated along the Danube River. The Danube flows through many countries in Europe, including Austria, and passes through Vienna.

Explanation

A is correctly matched with 1: The Great Victoria Desert is a large desert in Australia located in the southern part of the country. It is primarily located in Western Australia and South Australia. It is characterized by sand dunes, gibber plains, and salt lakes. The desert is home to Indigenous groups such as the Kogara, Mirning, and Pitjantjatjara peoples. The region supports diverse flora like Eucalyptus species and Acacia shrubs, and fauna including emus, red kangaroos, and various lizard species. B is correctly matched with 4: The Grand Canyon is a massive, iconic canyon carved by the Colorado River in the USA. It is located in the state of Arizona. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. C is correctly matched with 2: Lake Winnipeg is a large lake in the province of Manitoba in Canada. It is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. It is a vital water source for the surrounding areas and is historically significant for Indigenous communities. D is correctly matched with 3: The Southern Alps are a major mountain range in New Zealand, stretching along the South Island. The highest peak in the Southern Alps is Mount Cook (Aoraki), making it the tallest mountain in New Zealand.

Explanation

Cape Canaveral, also called Cape Kennedy, is a major spaceport on Florida’s east coast. It serves as the primary launch site for U.S. space missions. It was established in 1949 as a missile testing site, Cape Canaveral has played a crucial role in space exploration, evolving into a key launch site. Being positioned on a barrier island along Florida’s east coast, its coastal setting offers ideal conditions for launching spacecraft into orbit. While Virginia has NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, it is not used for space shuttle launches. North Carolina and South Carolina also lack any major spaceport like Cape Canaveral.

Explanation

Option (a) is correct: Australia holds the world’s largest reserves of uranium, with over 30% of the planet’s identified uranium reserves. According to the World Nuclear Association, Australia’s reserves are estimated to be over 1.7 million tonnes of uranium which makes it the leader in global uranium reserves. Major uranium mining regions in Australia include the Olympic Dam (the world’s largest single deposit of uranium) and the Ranger Mine.

Option (b) is incorrect: Canada has significant uranium re-serves but they are not the largest globally. Canada ranks second in terms of the world’s uranium reserves, with an estimated about 560,000 tonnes. Canada’s most notable uranium deposits are located in the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan, which is home to some of the world’s highest-grade uranium deposits.

Option (c) is incorrect: Russia’s uranium reserves are substantial but fall behind those of Australia and Canada. Russia ranks fourth in terms of uranium reserves globally. The primary deposits in Russia are located in the Trans-Ural region and parts of Siberia.

Option (d) is incorrect: The United States has notable uranium reserves but they are not the largest. The USA ranks third globally in terms of uranium reserves. The primary uranium deposits in the United States are located in states like Wyoming, New Mexico, and Texas. The USA is not a major producer of uranium compared to other countries like Kazakhstan, Australia, and Canada. It relies on uranium imports to meet its needs for nuclear energy production.

Explanation

Option (c) is correct: Putrajaya is a planned city that serves as the administrative capital of Malaysia. It was developed to relieve congestion in Kuala Lumpur, the official capital, and houses many government ministries and agencies. Options (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

Kota Bharu: Kota Bharu, the capital of the state of Kelantan in northeastern Malaysia, is a city with a rich cultural heritage. While Kota Bharu is an important city within Malaysia, it does not hold the status of the federal administrative center. Kuala Terengganu: Kuala Terengganu, the capital of the state of Terengganu on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, is a city with a long maritime history. Its location on the South China Sea has shaped its development as a port city and a center for fishing and shipbuilding. While Kuala Terengganu plays a vital role in the regional economy and culture, it is not the administrative capital of Malaysia. Taiping: Taiping, a historic town located in the state of Perak in northwestern Peninsular Malaysia, holds a significant place in Malaysian history. During the British colonial era, Taiping was an important tin mining center, and its influence can still be seen in the town’s architecture and layout. Taiping is also known for its natural beauty, including the Taiping Lake Gardens, one of the oldest public gardens in Malaysia. While Taiping has a rich history and cultural significance, it does not serve as the federal administrative center of the country.

Explanation

Order of Planets in the Solar System (from the Sun) is Mercury> Venus > Earth > Mars > Jupiter > Saturn > Uranus > Neptune. Mars is the 4th planet from the Sun and Uranus is the 7th planet from the Sun. Therefore the planets that lie between Mars (4th) and Uranus (7th) are Jupiter (5th) and Saturn (6th).

Explanation

Albedo is the measure of a surface’s reflectivity, with higher albedo indicating greater reflection of sunlight, influencing Earth’s temperature and climate.

Statement 1 is correct: Albedo refers to the reflectivity of a surface, or the fraction of light that a surface reflects. A higher albedo means more reflection of light, which causes an object to appear brighter when viewed with reflected light. This is why snowy surfaces (with high albedo) appear brighter than forests or oceans (with low albedo).

Statement 2 is incorrect: Mercury actually has a much lower albedo than Earth. Mercury’s rocky and heavily cratered surface reflects only about 12 to 14% of sunlight, meaning it absorbs the vast majority of incoming sunlight and appears relatively dark. On the other hand, Earth has a higher albedo due to its cloud cover, oceans, and ice caps, which reflect a significant portion of sunlight back into space. Earth’s average albedo is around 0.30 to 0.35.

Explanation

Median age refers to the age at which half the population is younger and half is older. It reflects the demographic profile of a country, with higher median ages indicating older populations. With respect to year in which question has been asked:

India: India, being a developing nation with a younger population and a higher birth rate, has the lowest median age among these countries. China: China’s population control policies (like the one-child policy) and the country’s demographic transition have resulted in a population that is older than India’s but younger than that of the USA and the UK. USA: The USA has a relatively older population compared to India and China due to factors such as higher life expectancy and a stable birth rate. Therefore, the median age is higher than those of India and China but lower than the UK’s. UK: The UK, being an industrialized and developed nation with an aging population, has the highest median age among the four countries. The population has a stable growth rate and a higher proportion of elderly individuals, making the median age of the UK the highest.