Geography: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims)

Explanation

The equator is an imaginary line that divides the Earth into two hemispheres: the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere. Singapore is located just north of the equator, at 1° 17 N, making it the closest city to the equator in this list. It is a global financial hub and one of the world’s busiest ports. Its proximity to the equator means that it experiences a tropical rainforest climate characterized by high humidity, heavy rainfall, and consistent temperatures year-round.

Option (a), (b) and (c) are incorrect:

Colombo is situated to the north of the equator, about 7 degrees away. The tropical climate in Colombo means it experiences a warm, humid environment year-round. It is located on the west coast of Sri Lanka and serves as its commercial capital. Jakarta is located at approximately at 6° 9 S latitude and 106° 49 E longitude. It lies just south of the equator, about 6 degrees away. It experiences a warm tropical rainforest climate, with consistent rainfall and temperatures throughout the year. Jakarta is the capital city of Indonesia and one of the largest urban centers in Southeast Asia. Manila is situated at 14 degrees north of the equator. While it is still within the tropical zone, it is farther from the equator compared to Colombo, Jakarta, and Singapore. It is the capital of the Philippines and is located on the western side of Luzon Island which is the largest island in the Philippines.

Explanation

Option (a) is incorrect: The Malacca Strait lies between the Malay Peninsula (in Malaysia) and the Sumatra Island (in Indonesia). It connects the Andaman Sea to the South China Sea and is a crucial shipping route. The Malacca Strait is located around 100°E longitude, which is far to the east of the International Date Line (at 180° longitude). It is relatively far from the IDL compared to the other options.

Option (b) is correct: The Bering Strait is extremely close to the International Date Line. The Bering Strait is located between the Easternmost point of Russia (Chukchi Peninsula) and the Alaskan coast of the United States. It connects the Arctic Ocean with the Bering Sea. The IDL passes through the Bering Strait, making it the closest to the IDL of all the options listed. This proximity means that the time zone on one side of the strait can be almost a full 24 hours ahead or behind the time zone on the other side, depending on the direction of travel.

Option (c) is incorrect: The Strait of Florida lies between Florida (USA) and the Bahamian Islands, connecting the Gulf of Mexico with the Atlantic Ocean. It is located at around 81°W longitude, far to the west of the International Date Line, which places it quite far from the IDL.

Option (d) is incorrect: The Strait of Gibraltar is located between the southern tip of Spain and the northern tip of Morocco, connecting the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea. It is located at about 5°W longitude, much farther west of the Inter-national Date Line.

Explanation

Moldova is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, situated between Ukraine and Romania. It does not share a border with Belarus. Moldova shares its longest border with Ukraine (about 1,222 km), covering its northern, eastern, and southern sides. Moldova shares a westward border (681 km) with Romania, following the Prut River. Moldova does not share a border with Belarus. Ukraine lies between Moldova and Belarus, making a direct border impossible.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Ajman is one of the seven emirates and the smallest in terms of area. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven emirates, established on 2nd December 1971. Initially, six emirates--Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Shar-jah, Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, and Fujairah--formed the union, while Ras al-Khaimah joined later in 1972.

Statement 2 is correct: Initially, Ras al-Khaimah chose not to join the UAE in 1971, but later became part of the federation on 10th February 1972.

Explanation

Option (b) is correct: The two countries that follow China and India in decreasing order of population are USA and Indonesia. The USA is the third-most populous country, followed by Indonesia at fourth. Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

While Brazil and the USA both have large populations, Indonesia has a higher population than Brazil. Canada and Malaysia, both have relatively smaller populations compared to other countries among the given options. While Nigeria has a fast-growing population, it does not currently rank immediately after India and China. Russia has a smaller population size.

Explanation

Mahogany is a tropical hardwood tree native to the Americas. Known for its reddish-brown timber, which is durable, beautiful, and easy to work with, mahogany is highly valued in furniture making, cabinetry, and boatbuilding. However, it is not naturally found in the Himalayan region. The climatic and environmental conditions of the Himalayas are unsuitable for its growth, so any presence of mahogany there would be the result of human introduction rather than natural occurrence.

Explanation

Option (b) is correct: As of 2008, the four Indian biosphere reserves recognized under UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) were:

1. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (2000)

2. Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (2001)

3. Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve (2001)

4. Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (2004) The Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve was not included in the WNBR by UNESCO until 2015. It was inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list only in July 2016, becoming the first "Mixed Heritage" site of India. Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, located on India’s southeastern coast, is a biodiversity hotspot with coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, and rich marine life, including fish, crustaceans, and marine mammals. It supports traditional fishing communities and promotes sustainable development while conserving its unique ecosystem. Recognized by UNESCO, it highlights the balance between conservation and livelihoods. The Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve in Uttarakhand includes the Nanda Devi National Park and India’s second-highest peak. It protects pristine alpine habitats with endangered species like the snow leopard and Himalayan musk deer. Recognized by UNESCO, it plays a vital role in conserving the fragile Himalayan ecosystem and its biodiversity. The Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve, located in the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta, is the world’s largest mangrove forest. It supports iconic species like the Bengal tiger and numerous aquatic animals. Recognized by UNESCO, it protects this critical ecosystem known for coastal protection, carbon sequestration, and supporting local livelihoods.

Explanation

The average distance from the Earth to the Sun is approximately 150 million kilometers or 150 × 106 km. This distance can vary slightly due to the elliptical shape of Earth’s orbit, but the average distance remains close to 150 million kilometers. 1 AU is approximately 149.6 million kilometers, which is roughly 150 × 106 km.

Explanation

The annual range of temperature is the difference between the highest and lowest temperatures recorded in a particular place or region over the course of a year.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The annual range of temperature (the difference between the highest and lowest average monthly temperatures) is generally smaller in the Pacific Ocean compared to the Atlantic Ocean. This is primarily due to the Pacific’s larger size and greater thermal inertia. The vastness of the Pacific allows for more heat absorption and distribution, moderating temperature extremes. Atlantic’s relatively smaller size and its greater contact with Arctic waters leads to more pronounced seasonal temperature variations. Also the Atlantic Ocean is narrower and more enclosed, allowing for greater temperature variability.

Statement 2 is correct: The Northern Hemisphere has a greater annual range of temperature than the Southern Hemisphere. This is primarily due to the larger landmasses in the Northern Hemisphere, which heat up and cool down more quickly compared to the predominantly oceanic Southern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, the presence of vast oceans helps stabilize temperatures.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Horse Latitudes are sub-tropical regions located at approximately 30° to 35° North and South latitudes. These are high-pressure zones characterized by calm winds and minimal precipitation. The name "Horse Latitudes" is believed to have originated from the historical practice of sailors throwing horses overboard to conserve water when ships were stranded in these calm regions.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Horse Latitudes are high-pres-sure belts, not low-pressure belts. These regions are associated with the subtropical high-pressure zones, where air from the equator descends, creating stable and dry conditions. The high-pressure conditions result from the descending air of the Hadley cells, which suppresses cloud formation and leads to arid climates. Many of the world’s major deserts, such as the Sahara and the Australian Outback, are situated under the Horse latitudes. Low-pressure belts, on the other hand, are found near the equator (Intertropical Convergence Zone) and at higher latitudes (subpolar lows).